Cloncurry, QLD
48.0 km (1.5 hrs )
★★★☆☆

The Ballara Mining Heritage Trail explores a number of ghost mining towns that sprang to life in the early 20th century and disappeared a few years later when the price of copper crashed. The unsealed road to two of the towns is not difficult to drive, however, signs to Hightville and the Wee MacGregor Mine indicated that a high clearance 4WD vehicle was recommended.

The Heritage Trail begins just east of the Fountain Springs Rest Area on the Barkly Highway, about half way between Cloncurry and Mount Isa in Queensland's west. The gravel road heads south to the remains of a copper smelter at Bulonga before continuing to Ballara where the remains of the narrow gauge railway are just visible. My friend and I explored these two areas before heading to the stunning Fountain Springs, a permanent spring in the Fountain Range, with a waterfall that flows in the rock crevice during the wet season. Note that the Heritage Trail is on private land, so stay on the signposted roads and marked sights.