Broken Hill

Venture to the edge of the outback, where dusty miners, alternative artists and drag queen divas come together to create one of Australia’s quirkiest towns.

A sidewalk curving up a bare, rocky hill, lined with various roughly carved, pillar-like rock sculptures.

The Living Desert sculptures. Photo: Destination NSW

Broken Hill is in the far-western region of New South Wales, sitting on the edge of Australia's famously arid and expansive Outback. Known for its rich mining history, Broken Hill is situated in an area abundant with mineral resources, particularly silver, lead, and zinc. The city's unique charm lies in its distinct blend of mining heritage, striking natural beauty and vibrant artistic eccentricities.

Highlights

See some original, post-apocalyptic props at the Mad Max 2 Museum.
Check out the latest exhibitions at the Broken Hill City Art Gallery.
Learn about Broken Hill's extensive mining history.
Stay at The Palace Hotel, a location from the film Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

Where to eat

Start your day with a coffee, an açaí bowl or smashed avocado on toast at Broken Hill’s most stylish cafe, The Silly Goat. Set right in the centre of town, you can sit among the greenery inside or in the breezy outdoor courtyard. Step into a piece of Broken Hill history at Bell’s Milk Bar, an exquisitely restored 1950s diner that has been a local favourite for generations. Its milkshakes and spiders are legendary; the 50 flavoured syrups are still made on-site according to original owner Les Bell’s secret recipes. You can even flip through a magazine from 1956 while you wait or put some classic ‘50s tunes on the jukebox.

An art deco style lavender and purple trimmed shopfront, with the word Bells written diagonally across it, with tables outside.

Ring-a-ding-ding! Answer the call of Bells and grab yourself a secret-recipe milkshake in a 1950's style milk bar. Credit: Destination NSW

When it’s time for something stronger, head for the Broken Hill Distillery. It opened in early 2021 and just a year later its Gunpowder Gin won two medals at the prestigious World Gin Awards in London. The distillery is open from Wednesday to Sunday for tours, tastings, drinks or meals in the courtyard, then pick up a bottle to take home with you.

In its heyday, there were more than 70 pubs in Broken Hill. While only around 20 are still operating, you’re sure to find somewhere to wet your whistle. The most famous is undoubtedly The Palace, which starred in the 1994 movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Dating back to 1889, the interiors are decorated with intricate painted murals and a grand verandah overlooks the main street.

Other popular watering holes include The Broken Hill Pub, Junction Hotel and Tydvil Hotel.

What to do

There’s long been a thriving arts community in Broken Hill. In fact, the Broken Hill City Art Gallery is the oldest regional gallery in NSW, dating back to 1904, and there are around 20 smaller galleries in town. The contemporary art scene owes much to the Brushmen of the Bush, a group of five artists who collaborated in Broken Hill in the 1970s. Comprised of Pro Hart, Eric Minchin, Jack Absalom, Hugh Schulz and John Pickup, they changed the way the world viewed the outback. Many of their works are still on display in local galleries and their legacy has drawn many budding artists to the area.

For art on a vast scale, visit the Living Desert & Sculptures, 12 sandstone works dotted around the desert 15 minutes north of town. They are particularly striking at sunset.

Mining began in Broken Hill in the 1880s with the discovery of silver, lead and zinc. BHP Billiton, one of the world’s largest mining companies, was founded here in 1885 – the letters stand for the Broken Hill Proprietary Company. Over the years, Broken Hill’s mines have produced more than $100 billion worth of ore and are still operating today. There are many interesting places where you can learn more about the industry that built Broken Hill.

Start with the Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial, a moving tribute to the more than 800 miners who have lost their lives here over the years. Perched atop a hill, it also has great views over the town. Take a tour down the Daydream Mine to see what life was like for 19^th century silver miners, then visit the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (also known as the GeoCentre) to see some of the most impressive specimens pulled from the ground here – including a 42-kilogram silver nugget.

A square corrugated metal building covered with a mural of Mad Max 2 characters, on a sunny dirt road.

You'd be MAD not to go to Broken Hill and not visit the shrine to post-apocalyptic action film that is the Mad Max 2 museum in Silverton. Credit: Destination NSW

More than 35 movies have been filmed around Broken Hill and in the nearby ghost town of Silverton, where the dusty streets still resemble a movie set. Wander past the authentically restored historic buildings, pat the friendly donkeys that roam freely, have a beer at the Silverton Hotel and visit the one-of-a-kind Mad Max 2 Museum, dedicated to the iconic movie that was filmed here. The spirit of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert lives on in the annual Broken Heel Festival, a three-day extravaganza celebrating all things drag, disco and diva.

The natural landscape around Broken Hill is just as captivating. Stand atop the Mundi Mundi Lookout, 30 minutes north of Broken Hill, to appreciate the true enormity of the desert. The Mundi Mundi Plains stretch so far that you can see the curvature of the earth on the horizon. It’s a popular spot to gather for sunset with a beer. The clear skies and lack of light pollution in the desert make for exceptional stargazing; join a tour with Outback Astronomy for a virtual journey through the Milky Way.

If you have time for a road trip (and are driving a 4WD), head to Menindee Lakes around 90 minutes from Broken Hill. After several unusually wet years, the nine lakes are full of water, which has attracted tens of thousands of migratory birds. It’s also a great spot for fishing, cruising and camping.

The unofficial capital of the NSW outback, there’s nowhere in the world quite like Broken Hill. A true frontier town built on sweat and silver, it also attracts artists drawn to the captivating red desert plains and drag queens making a legendary pilgrimage. Broken Hill has been made famous in myth and in movies, and today it’s home to a remarkable cast of characters that will make for an unforgettable holiday.

Read More: Sydney to Dubbo

Bell's Milk Bar 1950's themed counter. Credit: Destination NSW

Broken Heel Festival in Broken Hill.

Broken Hill Art Gallery. Credit: Destination NSW

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Where to stay

Built around the 130-year-old Mt Gipps Hotel, 14 kilometres outside of Broken Hill, the Broken Hill Outback Resort offers stylish self-contained cabins with kitchens and private decks overlooking the Barrier Ranges. Some even have spa baths. There’s also an area for caravans and camping, with a camp kitchen and new amenities blocks. The historic hotel is now the restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there’s regular live music.

A three story red brick hotel with large early Victorian style white verandah across the front, framed by trees and blue sky.

The Palace Hotel is a well-heeled cultural icon and a super spot to rest your head and collect a road trip story! Credit: Destination NSW

The Palace Hotel has 48 rooms, ranging from basic pub-style with shared bathrooms to the grand Priscilla Suite, which featured in the film. With its vibrant murals, quirky furnishings and pops of colour, you can re-enact your favourite scenes all night long. The Imperial Hotel, which dates back to 1885, has been converted into 4.5-star boutique accommodation with six ensuite rooms, plus a two-bedroom apartment, and a 14m heated pool in the internal courtyard.

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