Mt Isa is approximately 11 hours drive time from Townsville, and 20 hours drive time from Brisbane (plus breaks). It is a remote location. Mt Isa (The Isa) is spoken of as an oasis in the arid and harsh red country of North West Queensland. The city has a population of approximately 23,500 (2009), with most employed people associated with the mining industry or support services for the mining industry.