Those people who enjoy (or endure) a climb up the steep Telstra Hill 5km out of Mount Isa now have a reward if they make it to the top.
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Situated near the Telstra building overlooking the city, a decorated little rest area under a tree has sprung up with a mat and pillows for people to sit down on and enjoy if they so choose.
The installation appeared in the last week and was provided anonymously though a sign on the adjacent tree says “please enjoy our guerrilla garden, with love S & G”.
According to Wikipedia “guerrilla gardening” is the act of gardening on land that the gardeners do not have the legal rights to cultivate, such as abandoned sites, areas that are not being cared for, or private property.
The term was popularised in Australia by Channel 10's former show Guerrilla Gardeners which featured a team of gardeners who make over areas of council owned property without them knowing.
However other than the mat, pillows and some decorations on the tree there is no actual evidence of gardening on the site at Telstra Hill.
The hill, located just to the east of Mount Isa on the Barkly Highway, has long been a hot-spot for walkers or photographers looking for spectacular views of the city and hosts the Telstra and the Bureau of Meteorology towers.
In 2014 Telstra closed access to the track saying it was not “available for public use”. However it was re-opened after a public outcry.
So far the North West Star has yet to see anyone take advantage of the “garden” despite a regular throng of visitors to the hill especially in the mornings and evenings.
Nor has anyone identified who “S & G” are or why they created the “garden”.
Some wag in our office suggested it might be “Simon and Garfunkel” which sadly is unlikely even if Telstra Hill could say “I am a Rock”.
If you have any information about the garden or the gardeners, let us know at derek.barry@fairfaxmedia.com.au.