Frankly I don’t give a dam – popular Mount Isa watering holes
If you’re looking for something more natural to beat the Mount Isa heat than Splashez Aquatic Centre or your backyard pool, then why not check out one of our amazing waterholes? If you have a four-wheel-drive, you can cool off, relax and get in touch with nature at the same time.
Three Steps Waterfall (aka Three Sisters)
The Three Steps Waterfall is situated on a large rock formation. It gets its name due to the tiers of the rock forming three separate water catchments where you can swim. It’s a great place to go, especially after some heavy rainfall when the waterfall is cascading heavily.
Location: Three Steps Mount Isa is about a 15 to 20-minute drive out of town. It’s off Moondarra Drive and is accessible via four-wheel-drive.
Warrigal Waterhole (aka Painted Rock)
You’ll not only find a great waterhole here, you’ll also find amazing Indigenous rock art. This area has been the home of the Indigenous Kalkadoon people for over forty thousand years.
How to get there: The Warrigal Waterhole is about a 20-minute drive out of town on the Barkly Highway before you turn right onto Curry Road. It’s accessible via four-wheel-drive.
Paroo Waterhole
The Paroo Waterhole is a great place to go for a refreshing dip, and you can also enjoy its diverse range of surrounding flora and fauna.
How to get there: The Paroo Waterhole is in Gunpowder, about a 45-minute drive out of town on the Barkly Highway. It’s accessible via four-wheel-drive.
Fountain Springs (aka Redemption Rock)
If you watched last year’s Australian Survivor series, Redemption Rock was featured. Fountain Springs is a beautiful oasis that you’ll find within Redemption Rock. It’s a permanent waterhole where you can cool off and also see plenty of birdlife.
How to get there: Fountain Springs is about an hour’s drive out of town via the Barkly Highway. It’s accessible via four-wheel drive. Camping is free there.
East Leichhardt Dam (aka Lake Mary Kathleen)
Although it’s much larger than the watering holes mentioned above, East Leichhardt Dam is worth mentioning because it’s a great spot for a swim. You’ll find it on Lake Mary Kathleen. Besides swimming, there are plenty of other spots where you can go fishing or do other water sport activities.
How to get there: East Leichhardt Dam is a 40-minute drive out of town on the Barkly Highway. It’s accessible via four-wheel-drive. Camping is free there.
Lake Moondarra
Going for a swim in Lake Moondarra is also hard to beat, and there are great spots to go boating, water-skiing, sailing, canoeing and fishing there as well. Camping is only allowed during October during the annual Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic, but the Lake is open from 6am to 10pm all year round.
A sunset or moonlight swim at Lake Moondarra is very refreshing, and outback sunsets over the water there are majestic. The mix of red, yellow and orange colours are simply stunning. You’ll be able to find plenty of picturesque, shady spots beside the Lake to take plenty of Instagram or Facebook-worthy snaps.
How to get there: It’s a 20-minute drive from town via the Barkly Highway and Moondarra Drive.
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