Taking place on Saturday 9 May, Outback Sounds is the perfect reason to turn your trip to Mount Isa into a full Outback adventure. Beyond the festival stage, the region offers a unique mix of rugged landscapes, local culture, and unforgettable experiences. From historic tours and underground adventures to golden-hour sunsets, this itinerary helps you plan the perfect weekend — all leading up to the energy of Outback Sounds!
Fresh off the road or flying into Mount Isa, the Outback spirit starts the moment you arrive. Begin your weekend by heading to Lake Moondarra, where wide-open skies and still waters glow at golden hour. It’s the perfect place to slow down, take in the red-dirt landscape, and watch the colours shift as the sun dips low. If time allows, cruise the nearby Sunset Strip for a chance to spot local wildlife and capture a few epic outback shots.
As evening settles in, step beneath the surface on the Underground Hospital Twilight Tour. This unique experience reveals a fascinating chapter of Mount Isa’s history, offering a cool escape from the heat and a story-rich start to your night.
Saturday is all about Outback Sounds.
Start the day with breakfast and coffee along Mount Isa’s main strip, where the town is already buzzing with festival-goers. It’s an easy way to soak up the atmosphere and ease into the day before the music begins.
From early afternoon, the festival grounds come alive with local food, market stalls, and a lineup of standout performances. Highlights include Zac & George with their signature harmonies, William Barton blending didgeridoo and contemporary sounds, and Taylor Moss bringing fiery country anthems.
As the sun sets, the headline acts Kaylee Bell and The Wolfe Brothers take the stage, delivering unforgettable country performances beneath the sprawling Isa horizon. The crowd moves, boots tap, and voices rise as the music carries across the red-dirt arena. When the final notes fade, the Isa sky stretches overhead, marking the close of a day celebrating the spirit of the outback.
Sunday is a chance to slow things down and spend time at Outback at Isa, home to some of Mount Isa’s most iconic experiences. The precinct brings together mining history, local stories and outback culture in one place, making it an easy way to round out the weekend.
Highlights include the Hard Times Mine Tour, where you head underground and step into the working life of the miners who built the Isa, alongside the Isa Experience, which explores the region’s landscapes, industry and people through interactive displays. The Rodeo Hall of Fame, adds another layer, celebrating the characters and traditions that have shaped outback life for generations.
In the afternoon, a Bush Tucker Experience offers a deeper connection to Country, with insights into native ingredients, traditional uses and the relationship between food, culture and the land. It’s a grounded, hands-on way to close out the weekend after the energy of Outback Sounds.
Before heading home, spend the morning taking a final stroll around Mount Isa. Wander the main streets, admire the town’s public art and murals, and grab a coffee or breakfast at a local spot. It’s a relaxed way to soak in the town itself, take a few last photos, and leave with a complete sense of your Mount Isa weekend.
You’ve explored what Mount Isa has to offer, now it’s time to experience it at full volume. Don’t miss Outback Sounds on Saturday 9 May, the ultimate Outback celebration of live music and community.
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Images Courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland.