Approximately midway between Mount Isa and Cloncurry you will find the remains of the ghost town of Mary Kathleen. This was a uranium mining town and was abandoned in 1984. Just like that it disappeared into the history archives. All that remains are roads and concrete pads.
We had heard about the site of this ghost town being used as a free camping area so we decided to check it out. It’s about 57 kms from Mount Isa when you are heading towards Cloncurry. The turn off is well signposted and you can’t miss it.
As we drove the Barkly Highway through the Selwyn Ranges towards this ghost town we absolutely loved the changing dynamics of the landscape and the spectacular rock formations. The colours and undulating ranges are pretty awesome and it doesn’t surprise us that early geologists must have been excited to discover this region with its then untapped resources.
As you drive into the Mary Kathleen Ghost Town site you will notice that there are some bitumen roads and a scattering of concrete slabs. All original buildings have been removed. The access road brings you to a junction with the old town area to the right and the mine area to the left. Some of the access roads have been washed away at the creek crossing and others had quite a bit of large debris like tree trunks and branches.
We decided to turn right and found that there were a few campers in the area. If you want to free camp and have the facilities to do so this place is pretty awesome. Just remember there are absolutely no facilities available here and make sure you take your rubbish with you.
Well that’s enough for now.
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme