Yeeehaii! The famed Mount Isa rodeo is about to start kicking and bucking into life … but it’s not making it easy for grey nomads to find a place to stay.
Like many northern destinations at this time of the year, the iconic Queensland town enjoys an influx of caravanning and motorhome visitors … and a major event can fill it to bursting point.
Although the world-renowned rodeo doesn’t start until this Friday, all the caravan parks have been full for days. Happily, camping options are still available at the Tony White Oval to help cope with the huge demand.
Stories are also spreading of locals desperately keen not to have visitors leave disappointed.
When Melbourne-based grey nomads Warren and Joy Gilliland couldn’t find a caravan park spot in Mount Isa, they told the North West Star newspaper that a ‘lady at the bakery’ offered to have them park their van in her front yard.
Mount Isa Entertainment and Tourist Venues tourism manager Kylie Rixon said it was a popular time for many visitors because it was where “the mine meets the cowboys”.
Certainly rodeo fever has also had a knock-on effect for other popular Isa attractions. The North West Star reports that ‘Outback at the Isa’ has increased its mining tours to four a day. Two mining tour guides have joined the staff since last week.
