Winter in Queensland

Interesting stay in Mt Isa - 2 people had their wallets and car keys stolen from the campground at around 4pm - the thieves were back at about 3pm so a bit of shouting with campers on patrol.

Next day visited the fascinating underground hospital built after the bombing of Darwin in 1942, when there was a real fear that Mount Isa with its rich mineral resources would be next. Given that Darwin Hospital was also bombed, there was also genuine concern for Mount Isa Hospital. This prompted a discussion between the then regional District Hospital Director and Superintendent of the mines. Over a period of 15 weeks, miners drilled, blasted and mucked out a series of four timbered tunnels into the side of the hill. Three run parallel to each other and the fourth intersects them, creating a capital E shape. These determined miners volunteered another four hours of gruelling labour after working eight hour shifts in the mine. The completed hospital included separate male, female and children’s wards plus a surgical theatre, delivery room and dedicated maternity ward – all fully stocked with linen and medical equipment.

Thankfully Mt Isa was never bombed and the shelter became a temporary dormitory for nurses, a store room for hospital equipment before eventually closing in the 1960s. It was discovered in 1989 by some inquisitive kids.

After 1926 with Mt Isa’s rapid population growth caused an acute housing shortage, so tent houses were built - one remains today as part of the museum.

The Kuridala Hospital was purchased by the Mount Isa Hospital Committee for £400 for removal to the Mount Isa Hospital Reserve in July 1931 - it is now the Beth Anderson Museum.Read more