MOUNT SURPRISE Mount Surprise is the next town heading west. Mount Surprise is also very small. Pretty much the main strip, but meets the Bustout criteria. The town was founded by Ezra Firth, from the English county of Yorkshire, who along with his family settled in the area in 1864. The discovery of gold in the 1880s and the subsequent gold rush allowed Firth to sell his sheep to the miners, convert his holding to cattle and become wealthy selling goods to the miners. The town is nearby the Undara Volcanic National Park and Forty Mile Scrub National Park. Other activities in the area include gem fossicking and hot springs at nearby Tallaroo Station The two museums are defintlly worth having a look. The Hotel has a great profile. The Mount Surprise War Memorial is an appropriate acknowledgement for the town. Time your drive through for refreshment at the pub, and check out the free minerals museum and get to know the very interesting owner.