Our Mount Isa and Townsville bases are small, but mighty, playing a pivotal role in delivering vital services to North Queensland. They are steadily expanding to meet the needs of our growing community.
Our Mt Isa base is home to LifeFlight’s western most helicopter rescue service which covers a staggering 23 percent of Queensland, or 500,000km2. First established in 2007, known then as the Mount Isa Community Helicopter and later, as NQ Rescue, to ensure every person, all the way from the remote Mornington Island to Birdsville and the Northern Territory border, had equal access to emergency aid.
In 2015, we proudly merged with NQ Rescue, marking the start of our service in North West Queensland. What began as a one-year contract with Queensland Health blossomed into a strong five-year commitment under LifeFlight. Fast forward to 2024 and the State Government made a 10-year commitment to our rescue helicopter service, including our Mt Isa operation, ensuring we continue to deliver world-class health care to those who need it most.
We are actively bringing essential medical professionals and expertise that’s vital for the community. This is a team effort driven by local determination and support and your involvement can make a difference.
Since 2009, our Townsville based air ambulance jets have been the vital link in Queensland’s health service network, making it possible to move patients quickly and efficiently across vast distances, to get them to higher levels of health care, when they need it most.
Starting with 15 missions in our first year, LifeFlight’s local air ambulance team has now helped more than 3,500 people.
From our Townsville base, our jets can be deployed quickly to the far north or Central Queensland to fly patients back to major airports and hospitals, while also responding to international repatriations with support from our jets located in Singapore and Brisbane.
To help support and guide our mission, we have a passionate and experienced team of Community Leaders in North Queensland.
The LifeFlight / Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) Aeromedical Hub officially opened in March 2026. The new facility will enable both organisations to operate cohesively from the same location, improving service delivery across the region.
Throughout the year there are many LifeFlight and community-led events.
Stay up to date with how you can get involved in your region.
Our fleet of helicopters and jets provide emergency medicine and protection where others can’t. We perform a unique and vital function in the healthcare system, connecting you to the best medical specialists, no matter where you are. Explore our base locations to learn more about our impact in your community.
