What to do in Broken Hill
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 19th 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.
MAD NOT TO: You can't go to Broken Hill and not visit the shrine to post-apocalyptic action film that is the Mad Max 2 museum in Silverton. Image: 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.
