Broken Hill

Located in the middle of nowhere is the iconic Australian Outback town of Broken Hill. A long, long 1167km drive west from Sydney, Broken Hill "The Silver City" is a noted for mining. Once a major excavator of iron ore until the resources were depleted, now zinc is the main metal mined here. However, Broken Hill is also noted for it's rich cultural heritage with no less than 40 art galleries and exhibition houses displaying mostly Australian and Aboriginal art works. The stunning landscapes delight the local artist community here and bring them from across the globe.

Charles Sturt in 1844 describe the area as some of the most barren and desolate land he had ever seen and his diary mentions '"broken hill". However in 1863 Charles Wasp discovered tin and soon followed with discoveries of silver, lead and zinc. This landscape has also served as a useful film set and hosted "Mad Max 2" and "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert".

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
This gallery is known to be NSW's oldest regional art gallery, however there is nothing old about the art. Local artists have displays here of painting, sculpture and photography exhibitions. Argent Street (02 8088 5491)

Day Dream Mine Tour
Learn about the life of the original miners by exploring the caves. Between Broken Hill and Silverton.

Delprat's Mine Tour
This is a great way to go underground, 40 metres that is, to explore an original Broken Hill mine. Two hour tours of the mine are conducted with the tour guides being former miners, so they have plenty of stories to relate (02 8088 1604).

Geo Centre
This geological museum boasts a 42kg silver nugget, a large mineral collection and the carved Silver Tree. Crystal Street (08 8087 6538).

Line of Lode Miners Memorial
A mining information centre describing the past and future of mining in Broken Hill and has a memorial and visitors centre. (02 8088 6000).

Living Desert Reserve
These amazing sandstone sculptures sit atop a hill and are an incredible sight especially at sunrise and sunset. There is also a walking trail around the sculptures which takes about 1.5 hours to do the full circuit.

Menindee
The Menindee man made lakes is a system of 12 man made lakes and good for freshwater fishing and waster sports and a contrast to the dry outback that surrounds. 110km southeast of Broken Hill.

Mineral Art and Mining Museum
A walk in mine and mining modules. Allendale Street.

Mungo National Park
Mungo covers a dry lake bed and home to what is thought to be some of the oldest remains of human occupation. A main feature is the crescent shaped dune along the eastern side of dry Lake Mungo that is called the 'The Walls of China".

Mutawintji National Park
Located 130km northeast of Broken Hill, this 70,000 hectare arid park has a strong Aboriginal history. There are heritage tours by the traditional people of the park that point our original cave artwork. 130 km from Broken Hill (02 8080 3200).

Paroo Darling National Park
The park protects the Paroo and Darling River systems with internationally significant wetlands including endangered flora and fauna. Inside the park are a number of Aboriginal places and middens. 111 km south east of Broken Hill near Menindee.

Pro Hart Gallery
This famous Australian artist is also a legend in the town of Broken Hill. He set up studios here years ago and a lot of his canvas were created here. 108 Wyamn Street (02 8088 2992).

Railway, Mineral and Train Museum
Large display of old railway machinery and an extensive mineral collection. (02 8088 4660).

Royal Flying Doctor Service
Tour the RFDS base and hangar. Broken Hill Airport (02 8080 1714).

Silverton
Known as a bit of a ghost town, Silverton is located 25km west of Broken Hill. The mining has all dried up but artists enjoy the laid back area and many live and work here. They take their inspirations from the surrounding landscapes. Silverton has had at least 12 movies filmed here due to it's very Australian outback feel. The Daydream mine here offers one hour tours underground. The Silverton Pioneer Museum has a collection of old farming equipment and indoors a number of minerals and shells.

Silverton Camel Farm
These beasts fit into the landscape perfectly and you can hitch a ride on one at this farm and feel like you are really trekking through the outback. Located on the road to Broken Hill (02 8088 5316).

Symposia Sculptures
A collection of stone statues in the desert north of Broken Hill and visible from a long distance.

Sturt National Park
A desert park 300km north of Broken Hill with red vegetated dunes rising above the claypans and dry river beds lined with red river gums. Red kangaroos inhabit the Mitchell grass plains.

The Living Desert & Sculptures – Just 9 kms from the town of Broken Hill, the Living Desert Reserve is in the Barrier Ranges. Covering 2400 ha there are amazing walking trails where you will see natural wonders. The Living desert Flora and fauna Sanctuary is 180 ha which is enclosed by an electric fence to ensure against predators. There are many wonderful sculptures here as well. Picnic areas with free gas barbeques, toilet facilities and shade make this a great place for the family.  Paula Duggan