Mount Isa Field School

March 2025

Register for our Field School here.  You will find the Program Overview and Need to Know Information below.

Your Registration Fee includes: Field School Participation, Workshops and Activities; Field School Program; Meals as Indicated. It does not include Accommodation or Transport to/from the Field School location.
  • Total

We are thrilled to invite you to our 83rd Savannah Guides Professional Development Field School at Mount Isa!

Vast mineral deposits make Mount Isa Mines one of the most productive single mines in world history, based on a combined product of lead, silver, copper and zinc. With the impending closure of the Copper Mine, Mount Isa has its eyes set on a future of tourism!  This Field School will explore a range of options, showcasing a growing range of Indigenous experiences and will also include a range of Core Guiding Skills, Workshops, Brainstorming and a heap of fun!

Come and join us!

Program overview

Tue 18 March 2025
Arrival

  • Most Participants will arrive in Mount Isa today
  • 6:00pm – Optional (Own Expense) – Meet Old and New Friends at Informal Gathering and Dinner at The Rodeo Bar & Grill, Isa Hotel, 13 Miles Street, Mount Isa
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 1 - Wed 19 March 2025
Welcomes

  • Make your own way to Registration
  • 8:15am – Registration in Reception of Outback at Isa, 19 Marian Street, Mount Isa
  • 9:00am – Field School Welcomes
  • Introductions around the Room
  • Your Connection with Savannah Guides by Russell Boswell, Manager, Savannah Guides
  • Overview of Mount Isa Region
  • Twitchathon Briefing – Open your mind to the world of Birds! Join our famous and fun bird-spotting competition to build your birding skills and knowledge
  • Tour Guiding in Zimbabwe, Africa by Kevin N Dewa
  • Indigenous Tourism Business Opportunities
  • State and Regional Indigenous Tourism Plans
  • Guiding Skills: Storytelling Workshop
  • Camaraderie and Welcome Dinner at Outback at Isa
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland

Day 2 - Thu 20 March 2025
Indigenous Tourism Showcase

  • Optional Early Morning Birding Activity
  • Indigenous Tourism Showcase of established and emerging regional tour operators
  • Indigenous Tourism Journeys – Stories of Individual Success
  • Bush Tucker Experience with an Indigenous Guide as you explore a beautiful local flora botanical garden.  Learn about traditional bush methods used to make tools, medicine and food
  • Hard Times Mine Tour with a tour guide who has worked as a miner for most of his/her life.  Descend into the mine in the Alimak Cage to explore the history of mining and hear stories of the good and hard times had working deep under the earth.  See how tunnels are formed and shaped by the majestic boom drills and mucking units.  Feel the earth rumble with the firing of the blast furnace
  • Kalkadoon Centre and Keeping Place: The Kalkadoon people have a strong connection to the land and waters. They aim to protect both the tangible and intangible aspects of their culture that have been a part of their history for thousands of years while still harnessing opportunities for growth and progress
  • Isa Experience Heritage Display:  Interactive and vibrant displays depicting Mount Isa from the early days to the thriving town of today. A dual plasma displays depicts the blending of Indigenous and white perspectives, as it dramatically concludes with the didgeriddo ‘morphing’ into the modern lead stack that dominates the city skyline. It is also home to the Rodeo Hall of Fame and one of the most comprehensive private collections of crystals, rocks and minerals in Australia
  • Mount Isa Regional Gallery features a stunning array of artworks from local and regional artists from sculptures to paintings, portraits to landscapes, abstract to Indigenous
  • Optional Indigenous Painting Experience (additional $46)
  • Dinner at Overlander Hotel, 119 Marian Street, Mount Isa
  • Savannah Guides Hot Seat!

Day 3 - Fri 21 March 2025
Guiding Skills and Tourism's Future

  • Optional Early Morning Birding Activity
  • Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service Update
  • North-West Queensland Tourism Futures Panel
  • Teamwork for Guides and Operators:  Drive Routes, Tour Packaging and Referrals
  • Guiding Skills Workshops:
    • How to Interact with your Guests
    • Vocal and Body Language Skills
    • Interpretive Layers
    • Plant Interpretation Hints
  • Mount Isa Town Tour including hot birding spots!
  • Camaraderie, Dinner and Tour at Underground Hospital and Museum
  • Savannah Guides Hot Seat!

Day 4 - Sat 22 March 2025
The Natural North-West!

  • Explore Lake Moondarra with a Kalkadoon Elder and one of Australia’s largest Stone Axe Quarries that traded tools over 1000 kilometres! Time for a quick refreshing dip and some more birdwatching!
  • Stories of Australia’s Natural Environment including Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre and Interactive Workshops
  • Savannah Guides Hot Seat!
  • Farewell Dinner and famous Savannah Guides Jam Session! Bring along your musical instrument!

Day 5 - Sun 23 March 2025
Final Day Farewells

  • Transformational Experiences Tour Guiding
  • Digital Skills for Tour Guides
  • Twitchathon Results and Prizes
  • Take-home Messages
  • 11:00am – Close of Field School

Need to know Information

Getting Involved

We welcome your contributions to the Field School!  Please help make it an even greater success by:

  • Sharing this Field School Information through your networks
  • Bringing your colleagues and friends – the training, team building and camaraderie at Savannah Guides Field Schools are legendary!  Everyone is welcome!
  • Participating in the Field School Twitchathon! Listen and learn with your team-mates as you have fun and tally your confirmed bird sightings over the Field School for fun and very modest prizes!
  • Considering Membership – Savannah Guides welcomes Tour Guides and like-minded people and organisations. JOIN US!

Getting There

  • Driving Distances and Times to Mount Isa:
    • Cairns – 1110km – 12.5 Hours
    • Winton – 468km – 5.0 Hours
    • Longreach – 647km – 7.0 Hours
    • Rockhampton – 1334km – 14.25 Hours
  • Regular flights to Mount Isa are available

 Weather – What to Expect!

  • Average Daily Maximum of 35o, with a Minimum of 22o
  • A lot of our time will be spent outdoors

Mobile Phone Coverage

  • Telstra and Optus have coverage in Mount Isa
  • Telstra is the best provider in Australia’s outback. Telstra “Blue Tick” phones guarantee superior coverage in regional and rural areas

Food and Beverage

Your Registration Fee includes the following Meals:

Wed 19 Mar    AM, L, D
Thu 20 Mar    AM, L, D
Fri 21 Mar       AM, L, D
Sat 22 Mar     AM, L, D
Sun 23 Mar    AM

(L) Lunch
(D) Dinner
(AM) Morning Snack

Breakfast is not included

 

What to Bring

  • LARGE Water Bottle
  • Keep Cup
  • Small Backpack / Day Pack
  • Enlosed Walking Shoes / Boots (compulsory for Thursday)
  • Hat, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent
  • Swimwear and Small Towel
  • Torch
  • Notepad and Pens / Pencils
  • Bird Field Guides and Binoculars (if you have them)
  • Plant Field Guides (if you have them)
  • Musical Instrument (if you have one)
  • Face Mask (for your personal use if you wish)
  • RAT Tests (for your personal use if you wish)
  • Small Personal Hand Sanitiser
  • Willingness to Learn and Contribute
  • Smile, Fun and Laughter!

Accommodation

This is not included in your Registration Fee. We recommend the following as they are within walking distance of our main venue and will be coach transfer locations when necessary:

Spinifex Motel – 79-83 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Mention Savannah Guides when you book
Tel:    07 4749 2944
Email: [email protected]
Rooms from $195 per night

Mount Isa Caravan Park – 112 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Mention Savannah Guides when you book
Tel:    07 4743 3252
Email: [email protected]

Photography Disclaimer

Photographers will be taking photos and filming during the duration of the Field School.  Images will be retained by Savannah Guides Limited for marketing purposes.  If you have any concerns with your image being used in future promotional material, please advise Sam Boswell prior to or at the commencement of the Field School.

Notes

  • This Field School will be capped at a maximum of 50 participants
  • Registrations close 07 March 2025
  • A $50 Administration Fee applies to all Cancellations
Three Savannah Guides out birdwatching, referring to a field guide.Mount Isa Field School
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