Mount Isa, Australia

As the only place of consequence for 700km in any direction, the industrial smokestacks, concrete paving and sterile hills at MOUNT ISA assume oasis-like qualities on arrival. The city also has a few points to savour before heading on: the area's Aboriginal heritage, a couple of unusual museums, tours of the local mines, Australia's largest rodeo every August and simply the fascinating situation and the community it has fostered.The world's largest city in terms of surface area, Mount Isa sits astride a wealth of zinc, silver, lead and copper.