The hidden journal was discovered at Mary Kathleen in 2019 by Mount Isa photographer Sarah Conlon, but upon returning last month discovered the journal had been taken, so her kids decided to start a new one.

"Last year we took the kids out to Mary Kathleen and they were exploring around and they found this old mailbox. In the mailbox was some toy cars and they found a zip-lock bag with a book in it. It had about a year's worth of stories in it about what they did during their stay," Ms Conlon said.

"We went back in June and the kids wanted to show our friends the book and it was gone, they were devastated. So they asked if they could set it up again. So we took another book out and found a tin and put it in there to start it again."

Ms Conlon said her kids wrote in the front of the book, telling the story of what happened to the previous journal and how they wanted to start it again.

"There is about eight pages already filled out in the book with people sharing their stories," she said.

"One person wrote that they had been camped there for 60 days during COVID-19, and wrote about the things they had found and their experience.

"Another was a family who was travelling around australia, so they talked about how they got a metal detector out and searched the area. Other people have just signed their name."

The journal is located at Mary Kathleen near a tree with a goanna painted on it.

Ms Conlon said the kids were excited to see the journal grow.

"We usually camp out at Clem Walton Park but have been stopping in at Mary Kathleen frequently so the kids can check the book," she said.

"It has been nice watching people address the kids, and then we have had some travelling families who have left their Facebook pages, so the kids have messaged them and say thank you for writing in the book.

"I think it really important for our kids to see the impact something so simple and small can make, watching their faces as people respond is overwhelming, they are so excited to see people from as far as Victoria writing a quick note to thank them for restarting the book."

Ms Conlon asked that anyone travelling through the area could take a short moment to sign the book.

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