Mount Isa

This article is about the city. For the former Queensland electoral district, see Electoral district of Mount Isa. For the local government area, see City of Mount Isa.

Mount Isa
City
Top to bottom, left to right: Mount Isa panorama; Lake Moondarra; The Sign, Mount Isa Mines stack, Mount Isa City; Mount Isa at night
Mount Isa
Coordinates: 20.7261°S 139.4938°E / -20.7261; 139.4938 (Mount Isa (town centre))
Country	Australia
State	Queensland
LGA	City of Mount Isa
Location	904 km (562 mi) W of Townsville 1,826 km (1,135 mi) NW of Brisbane
Established	1923
Government
• State electorate	Traeger
• Federal division	Kennedy
Area
• Total	68.7 km2 (26.5 sq mi)
Elevation	356 m (1,168 ft)
Population
• Total	18,317 (2021 census)
• Density	266.62/km2 (690.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+10:00 (AEST)
Postcode	4825
Mean max temp	31.9 °C (89.4 °F)
Mean min temp	17.3 °C (63.1 °F)
Annual rainfall	461.8 mm (18.18 in)

Mount Isa (/ˈaɪzə/ EYE-zə) is a city in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia. It came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines (MIM) is one of the most productive mines in world history, based on combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc.

Before European contact, the Mount Isa region was part of an expansive trade network spanning the entire Lake Eyre Basin and beyond. In particular, it was a valued source of stone for stone tools such as hand axes.

In the 2021 census, the town of Mount Isa had a population of 18,317 people, making Mount Isa the administrative, commercial and industrial centre for the state's vast north-western region. Although situated in an arid area, the artificial Lake Moondarra 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city on the Leichhardt River provides both drinking water and an area for watersports, birdwatching and recreation. Locals often refer to Mount Isa as "The Isa".