Celebrating 100,000 Visitors to the Hard Times Mine in Mount Isa
Mount Isa is not just a mining town; but, all around the World that is what it is known for. There are some great things to see and do around town, and as such, one man had a vision - to combine two great industries of Mount Isa.
Mining and Tourism.
Ron McCullough, Mount Isa's Mayor in 1997 struck upon an idea. Build a mine specifically for tourism purposes. Mines are noisy, dirty, busy and at times dangerous, therefore; it is not really a place for some genuinely interested tourists.
Hard Times, was the name of John Campbell Miles (who discovered a large sample of silver/lead ore in the area in 1923) trusty horse - rather aptly named I would say. The connection is not lost on those who know the story of how the Hard Times Mine slowly and surely came to be.
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| So it begins - the very first scoop of earth has been moved. |
Ron, with the help of many miners employed by Mount Isa Mines, worked tirelessly on their days off to create 1.2km of tunnels, 4m wide by 4m high. Over the next 6 years, they incorporated a crib room, an underground workshop, a functioning Alimak Cage (mine elevator) and completed it's authenticity with a huge range of mining machinery, donated by "Big Brother" Mount Isa Mines.
The Hard Times Mine is located at the Outback at Isa (Visitor Information Centre) and took just over six years to complete. The tours of the mine officially started 1st March 2004.
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| This section is reflective of what the Hard Times Mine looks like - just like the real thing. This section is located at the "crib room" and is seen at the end of the tour. |
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| The way out. After you have visited the Crib Room, you exit from this tunnel |
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| The Crib Room - just like the real thing |
It has taken just over 14 years for 100,000 visitors to descend in the Alimak Cage to around 20m below ground, and take part in something very unique - not only to Australia, but in the World.
This was an occasion to celebrate! There was party decorations, party food and even party bags. A party is not complete with a wonderful mud cake suitably decorated for the occasion.
All that was left - was THE Guest of Honour! Who would it be? The tour accommodates 20 visitors - not bad odds.
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| Crib Room Tables all set up for a party to celebrate the 100,000th Visitor. |
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| Of course there is cake to help celebrate! |
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| A few goodies for the Lucky 100,000th Visitor. |
While waiting for the Tour Party to arrive, I was able to have a very quick look around at a couple of the tunnels.
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| Dani, from Outback at Isa showing me around. |
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| Mucker (front end loader) that is just one of the machines you will see in the tunnels |
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| Raise Borer, used for drilling in the large bolts to hold the plates you see on the roof and walls of this tunnel. |
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| Underground Workshop |
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| The exit tunnel |
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| It really is that dark underground! |
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The Welcoming Committee waiting in the crib room for the "Guest of Honour"
The tour of the Hard Times Mine take around 3 hours. To take part, you must look the part - Hard Hat and Lamp, Orange overalls and Wellies (gumboots - it is a bit muddy down there) all supplied. The tour is open to all ages (7yrs and above) and finishes off with some 'crib' and story telling in the Crib Room. |
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| Here they come - who will be the 100,000th Visitor. |
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| They must of got a bit of a fright, coming round the corner in the dark and the Welcoming Committee starts to clap and cheer! |
Outback at Isa hosts around 35,000 visitors a year and with a large percentage of them also taking the time to check out the facilities that include the Hard Times Mine, the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, Mount Isa Fish Stocking Hatchery, Isa Experience and Outback Park as well as a Gallery, show casing the talents of local artists.
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| The visitors looking 100% like hard working miners on their way to crib. |
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One of these lucky visitors will be the 100,000th visitor to the Hard Times Mine.
Before we could announce the 100,000th Visitor there was some speeches to be made. |
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| Kylie, Tourism Manager for Outback at Isa paid homage to Ron McCulloch ( far left) for his drive and determination to get Hard Times Mine up and running. |
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| Kylie, with Al who worked on the Hard Times Mine, and continues to work as a Guide on the Underground Tours |
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| Mayor Joyce McCulloch |
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| The visitor listening to the speeches (and no doubt thinking - is it me?) |
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| Mine Guide Steve, who not only took the group on their tour on this day - but also was the guide on the very first Hard Times Mine tour 1st March 2004 |
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Ron McCulloch, explaining his vision and the importance of everyone involved in the creation of the Hard Times Mine
It is time to announce the lucky 100,000th Visitor to tour the Hard Times Mine.
Come on down........... |
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anxiously and patiently waiting to hear who is the lucky "Winner"
.........Pete from the South Coast of New South Wales!! Congratulations, you are the 100,000th Visitor to tour the Hard Times Mine. |
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| Pete from the South Coast of New South Wales is the "Winner" |
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Denis Hamel, the Executive General Manager of Zinc Operations was on had to congratulate Pete and hand over some very special items to commemorate his visit.
Hard Times Mines has been continuously supported by Mount Isa Mines since 1997. The "Big" mine has supplied the machinery and equipment located in the Hard Times Mine, as well as donated the time of working staff to help maintain or update equipment or structures. |
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| YAY! Cake!!! |
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| Time to Party. |
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| The easy way out |
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| Now it's time for some stories - Alan tells a ripper yarn about "Cornish Pasties" - but you have to come along to the tour to find out what it is. |
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The Hard Times Mine Guides and Crew with Pete the Lucky 100,000th Visitor to the mine. (L-R: Smithy, Bill, Alan, PETE, Ian, Al, Angi, Kylie, Dave, Shaz)
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| Kylie, Pete and Shaz. |
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| Kylie and Clair celebrate in true Outback style - a bit of champagne in a plastic cup :) |
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| More stories - this time Steve talks about the mischief the miners get up to in the crib room. |
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| Pete is a real celebratory - Emma from ABC Northwest had a great chat with him. |
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Pete and Al.
If you are interested in taking part in a tour of the Hard Times Mine, give the staff at Outback At Isa a call and they will answer all your questions. |
Thankyou Kylie, Angi and The Crew at Hard Times Mine and Outback at Isa for letting me a part of this wonderful celebration - here's to the next 100,000 visitors to descend in the Alimak Cage.
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| Taken from Mine to Market July/August 2013 No. 130 |
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