Broken Hill
Town
Population 18856
In the vast, arid lands of far-western New South Wales, Broken Hill was first an intermittent home for the Willyama people; its lack of water made it impossible to settle permanently. When Charles Sturt encountered the area while searching for an inland sea, he described it as some of the most barren and desolate land he had ever seen. Enthusiasm was soon generated, however, with the discovery of silver and Broken Hill was born. A syndicate of seven men quickly bought much of the land and in 1885 they discovered the world's largest silver-lead-zinc lodes. Later that same year they decided to form a company and float shares. That company was Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP), now BHP Billiton, the largest mining company in the world. Referred to as the 'Silver City', Broken Hill is also the centre of the 16-million-hectare West Darling pastoral industry, which has 1.75 million merino sheep surrounded by a 600-kilometre dog-proof fence. As you would expect of a hot, arid mining town, Broken Hill has many pubs. Note that Broken Hill operates on Central Standard Time, half an hour behind the rest of New South Wales.
Visitor Information
Cnr Blende and Bromide sts; (08) 8080 3560
Nearby national parks
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Mutawintji National Park
There is camping at Homestead Creek with all facilities including gas and/or electric barbecues. No bookings are taken, there is no fuel or...more -
Vulkathunha Gammon Ranges National Park
At the northernmost end of the Flinders, the weathered Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges are the last cluster of ancient mountains before the...more -
Murray–Sunset National Park
Declared in 1991, Victoria’s second-largest national park is a landscape of wide Mallee country, rolling sand dunes, magnificent river...more
Nearby towns
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Menindee
Menindee is like an oasis in the middle of a desert. Although located in the state's arid inland plains, its immediate surrounds comprise...more -
White Cliffs
White Cliffs is first and foremost an opal town. The first mining lease was granted in 1890, and a boom followed with an influx of 4500...more -
Wentworth
At the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, Wentworth was once a busy and important town. With the introduction of the railways it...more
In Town
Line of Lode Miners Memorial and Visitor Centre: perched on top of the mullock heap at the centre of town, and delving into Broken Hill's mining heritage; Federation Way. Railway, Mineral and Train Museum: displays on old mining and rail services. Also incorporates the Hospital Museum and Migrant Museum; open 10am–3pm; Bromide St. Geocentre: displays of minerals, mining specimens and a silver tree; Cnr Crystal and Bromide sts; (08) 8087 6538. Photographic Recollections: more than 600 photos telling Broken Hill's history; Eyre St. White's Mineral Art and Mining Museum: walk-in mine and mining models; Allendale St. Joe Keenan's Lookout: view of town and mining dumps; Marks St. Thankakali Aboriginal Arts and Crafts: see works created on the premises, talk to artists and purchase pieces; cnr Buck and Beryl sts. Muslim Mosque: built by Afghan community in 1891; open 2–4pm Sun or by appt; Buck St. Zinc Twin Lakes: popular picnic spot at lakes used as a water source for mines; off Wentworth Rd, South Broken Hill. Art galleries: over 30 in town including Pro Hart Gallery, Wyman St; Jack Absalom Gallery, Chapple St; and Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Argent St, the oldest regional gallery in the state. Heroes, Larrikins and Visionaries of Broken Hill Walk and Silver Trail self-guide historical town drive: leaflets from visitor centre.
Nearby
Silverton The National Trust-classified town of Silverton was established when silver chloride was found 27 km NW of Broken Hill in 1883. It now has less than 100 inhabitants and is surrounded by stark, arid plains, making it popular with filmmakers wanting an outback setting. Films such as Mad Max II (1981), Razorback (1983), Young Einstein (1988), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) and Dirty Deeds (2001) have been filmed here, and the Silverton Hotel displays photographs of the film sets on its walls. Take the Silverton Heritage Walking Trail (leaflet from visitor centre) and visit the Silverton Gaol Museum. Silverton Camel Farm offers 15 min rides around the outskirts of town and 3-day safaris. Mundi Mundi Plain Lookout, a further 10 km N, affords views of the desolate yet awe-inspiring landscape. Daydream Mine, 13 km NE, operated in the 1880s and is now open for 1 hr guided tours, 10am–3.30pm daily.
Mutawintji National Park Bushwalks lead through a rugged terrain of colourful gorges, rock pools and creek beds, while Aboriginal rock engravings and paintings tell stories of creation. The land was returned to its traditional owners in 1998, and a historic site in the centre containing a vast gallery of rock art is accessed by tour only. Mutawintji Heritage Tours leave Homestead Creek Campground at 11am Wed and Sat, Apr–Oct; contact Broken Hill Area Office for details (08) 8080 3200; 130 km NE.
Royal Flying Doctor Service base and visitor centre: headquarters, radio room and aircraft hangar open to visitors; at airport; 10 km S. Living Desert: magnificent sandstone sculptures set on a hillside (particularly striking at sunrise and sunset) and walking trails through the mulga-dotted landscape; leaflet available from visitor centre; Nine Mile Rd; 11 km N. Dingo Fence: longest fence in the world at 5300 km from Jimbour in Queensland to the Great Australian Bight. Originally contructed in the 1880s to halt rabbit invasion, now maintained to keep dingoes out of sheep grazing areas; 150 NW.Tours: for 4WDs, camel safaris, outback excursions and scenic flights: bookings at visitor centre.
Fishing spots near town
Fort Courage 237 km
One of my favourite destinations is Fort Courage. Little more than a caravan park with a boat ramp, Fort Courage is about 20 km drive out of Wentworth on the road to Renmark. It has great fishing for families or angling... Find out moreWentworth 242 km
As you work your way down the Murray, you’ll find locks near most of the major towns. The locks create deep, holding water, which is especially good news for anglers chasing Murray cod. There’s one at... Find out moreCurlwaa 245 km
Curlwaa is downstream of Mildura, between Dareton and Wentworth. The boat ramp is nothing flash – a basic dirt facility suited to smaller boats. A kilometre or so upstream from the ramp is the old Abbotsford... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Dating back to 1919, when it was first opened by a group of four musicians, the Broken Hill Musicians Club has grown to become a huge community leader. This is a club focused on giving back to the community in a big way,... Find out more
Campsites around town
Penrose Park 24 km
Penrose Park is in Silverton, an old goldmining town that’s retained an enormous amount of character – as well as some interesting characters. The park offers a goodly amount of facilities, including hot... Find out moreCockburn Caravan and Camping Area 46 km
A handy highway stopover in the historic railway settlement of Cockburn, on the SA–NSW border. It’s just off the Barrier Hwy, 148 km north-east of Yunta and 50 km west of Broken Hill.... Find out moreLake Cawndilla camping area 91 km
On Lake Dr off Old Pooncarie Rd, this camping area is right on the lake’s foreshore, which offers beautiful early-morning or late-evening views. Following years of drought that saw the lake dry out, it is now... Find out moreFowlers Gap Rest Area 100 km
This isn’t much to write home about, and it’s not suitable for tents, but it’s a good place to stop overnight if the long drive is making you sleepy. It’s 108 km north of Broken Hill on the Silver... Find out moreDarling River camping areas 101 km
There are 34 campsites scattered along the Darling, accessible from 10 km south of Menindee along River Dr. Many of the sites are on groves of ancient river red gums, and while you should not set up camp directly... Find out moreShearers Quarters 101 km
The rooms in these shearers’ quarters each have 2 bunk beds, 3 with additional trundle beds, sleeping a total of 27 people. There are hot showers here, as well as toilets, communal kitchen and gas barbecues.... Find out moreEmu Lake camping area 101 km
This camping area is on Woolshed Dr, near the park visitor centre.... Find out moreBurke and Wills Campsite 105 km
The famed 1860 Burke and Wills expedition saw the first successful north–south crossing of the continent between Melbourne and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The expedition’s leader, Robert O’Hara Burke, and... Find out moreLake Pamamaroo camping area 106 km
Lake Pamamaroo camping area is 16 km north of Menindee, and comprises part of the Menindee Lakes system. Take the Menindee–Broken Hill Rd north of Menindee, and after 8 km you’ll see the turn-off to Lake... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Hotels, motels & B&Bs around town
The Imperial Fine Accommodation
This heritage-listed building dates back to 1906 and has been lovingly restored to operate as a premier guesthouse. There are five luxury suites, all in keeping with the rustic theme but with contemporary comforts. Take... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Mungo Lodge 245 km
If you want a more up-market alternative, try Mungo Lodge, near Mungo National Park. Owned by Indigenous Business Australia, this has 16 recently refurbished units with ensuites, a windmill and solar panels that supply... Find out moreRest areas around town
Thackaringa Hills Rest Area 32 km
36 km W of Broken Hill (L) or 13 km E of Cockburn (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 02.739 E141 07.656 ... Find out moreLittle Topar Rest Area 75 km
Adjacent the roadhouse Small area just off the highway. GPS: S31 46.814 E142 13.620... Find out moreSpring Hills Rest Area 119 km
74 km W of Wilcannia (R) or 122 km E of Broken Hill (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S31 43.378 E142 41.127 ... Find out moreOlary Park Area 122 km
Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. GPS: S32 18.253 E140 13.718... Find out moreMannahill Park Area 148 km
Middle of town Town park next to the hotel. Limited shade. GPS: S32 25.860 E139 59.210... Find out moreWhat's on around town
St Patrick's Race Day: horseraces; Mar/Apr.
Outback 4x4 Challenge: 4WD rally; May.
Red Desert Live!: music festival; Oct.
