Broken Hill lies in the far west of New South Wales, more than 1,100 km from Sydney and closer to Adelaide than to the state capital. It grew on one of the world’s richest silver, lead and zinc deposits, discovered in the 1880s; the mining company BHP took its name from the town. In 2015 the whole city became the first in Australia to be placed on the National Heritage List. This is Wilyakali Country.
Today Broken Hill is also an art town, with galleries, murals and the sculptures of the Living Desert. Around it lie the old town of Silverton, used in many films, the vast Mundi Mundi Plains, the Aboriginal rock art of Mutawintji National Park and the Menindee Lakes. Note that Broken Hill uses Central Time, half an hour behind Sydney. It is a long way from the coast, so fly or take the train and stay a few nights.
Highlights
- Living Desert Sculptures: sandstone sculptures on a hilltop, magical at sunset.
- Line of Lode Miners’ Memorial: a striking memorial and lookout above the city.
- Silverton: a near-ghost town and film location, 25 km away.
- Royal Flying Doctor Service: the visitor centre at the base serving the outback.
- Galleries: Pro Hart’s gallery, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery and many artist studios.
- Mutawintji National Park: Aboriginal rock art and gorges, best with a guided tour.
Quick facts
| Where | Far west NSW, near the South Australian border |
|---|---|
| Time zone | Australian Central Time, 30 min behind Sydney |
| From Sydney | About 2 h 30 by air; about 13 h by the weekly train |
| Ideal stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best for | Outback landscapes, mining history, art |
| Getting around | Car; local tours for the national parks |
How long to stay & where to base yourself
Two or three nights covers the city, Silverton, the Living Desert at sunset and either Mutawintji or Menindee. Stay in the centre near Argent Street for the heritage pubs, galleries and restaurants. Rooms are limited during big events, so book ahead.
