You need only take a ten minute drive out of Mount Isa and detour down one of the many deserted tracks to see there are pieces of history in every direction.

Dick Peever knows this all too well.

His keen eye for adventure has taken him across the countryside and led him to find many interesting items from the past.

Ever since he could remember Mr Peever has loved to collect things, no matter what they were.

"Things from the past just interest me, it's just what I do," he said.

Mr Peever and his wife Sonja have lived in Mount Isa for the last 15 years, which he thinks is one of the most beautiful places in Australia.

"We've just got everything here. You just get in your car and drive 10 minutes out to see an amazing sunset, there's caves to search through and waterholes," he said.

"It's just amazing."

On his travels through down the dusty dirt tracks of North West Queensland, Mr Peever has found many historical items.

You just don't realise how much is out there until you take a look around," he said.

Most of his finds have come from old mine sites that have been abandoned.

"I have old toilets, bath tubs, bicycles, it's as though they decided to finish with the mines and just left everything how it was," he said.

He also has a passion for collecting crystals.

"We always go out and pick up a few Maltese crosses. It is a rock formation which occurs when two crystals cross each other," Mr Peever said.

"They're only found in North West Queensland and in South Africa."

Born in Cairns, Mr Peever said driving was another reason he liked to explore.

"I love driving, I just follow the dirt tracks and see where it takes me," he said.

Not only has he found some rare items, he has also travelled to many places in the region that not many people have seen.

"I'm going to start up a tour company so other people can see these places as well. It's a beautiful region."