From Darwin to Cairns From Darwin to Cairns From Darwin to Cairns
Australia • •
Holiday

From Darwin to Cairns

Mount Isa

After about 1,600 km from Darwin in the direction of Cairns the city of Mount Isa pops up. With a population just above 20,000 it’s rather small, but its combined lead, silver, copper and zinc mine is one of the worlds most productive ones, making Mt. Isa one of Australia’s most important outback cities.

There is a 2.5 h guided tour through a mine (not the real one but one build specifically for the tours with original machinery — costs about 12 million AUD) that is worth it’s price.

View over Mount IsaView over Mount IsaView over Mount Isa

A few kilometers behind Mt Isa, before Cloncurry, there’s gorgeous camping spot at Lake Corella.

Lake Corella sunsetLake Corella sunsetLake Corella sunset

Cairns

An additional 1,100 km further down the highway (and some gravel roads), in Cairns, I went for a 3 days / 2 nights (actually 4 days / 3 nights) liveaboard diving trip for the first time of my life. What an exciting experience.

A fish swarmA fish swarmA fish swarm Some coralsSome coralsSome corals Yes, a shark!Yes, a shark!Yes, a shark! Some coralsSome coralsSome corals My dive buddy and IMy dive buddy and IMy dive buddy and I