Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Broken Hill, Australia

The contemporary narrative of Broken Hill, located in the NSW Outback, commenced in 1883 with the discovery of the world’s most substantial deposit of silver, zinc, and lead.

This extensive ore body is so fundamental to Broken Hill’s identity that it features a prominent mullock heap in the city center, and the streets are named after various minerals, metals, and compounds.

Beyond Broken Hill lies a land of romantic desolation, often evoked when envisioning the Outback.

Consequently, it is not surprising that generations of artists have selected Broken Hill as their muse in an effort to encapsulate the essence of this rugged yet enchanting territory.

Included among these artists are numerous filmmakers, with both Mad Max 2 and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert filmed in the vicinity of Broken Hill.

1. The Living Desert and Sculptures

Nestled within the Barrier Ranges, just outside of Broken Hill, lies a 2,400-hectare reserve showcasing remarkable desert landscapes with vistas extending for many miles.

This segment of the Outback can be explored via numerous walking trails, providing several notable attractions.

One such attraction is the John Simons Flora & Fauna Sanctuary, where one can observe free-roaming kangaroos and wallaroos, gain insight into geological phenomena, view a wildflower exhibit, navigate an arboretum featuring native flora, and appreciate elements of Aboriginal heritage.

Additionally, in alignment with Broken Hill’s strong artistic reputation, the hilltop Sunset Sculptures, created during a symposium in 1993, stand as a symbol of the city. These 12 abstract sculptures, carved from 53 tonnes of sandstone, possess a distinct allure during sunset.

2. Line of Lode Memorial

Broken Hill’s landscape is marked by a mountain-like mullock heap, topped with an observation deck.

This site serves as a poignant reminder of the mining industry’s significant human cost, particularly evident in the early 20th century.

Since 1883, over 800 miners have lost their lives in Broken Hill. To honor their memory, a monument was unveiled at the Line of Lode Lookout in 2001, designed by Angus Barry, Steve Kelly, and Dario Palumbo. The names of the deceased are etched on glass panels beneath a structure intended to evoke the cramped conditions of a mining tunnel.

Visitors can engage with informational plaques and, a short distance away, revel in a breathtaking view of Broken Hill and the sprawling desert beyond.

3. Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (Geocentre)

The historic Bond Store in Broken Hill now accommodates an exceptional museum showcasing the mineral wealth of the region.

Visitors can learn about the Earth’s tumultuous geological history and how the largest deposits of zinc and silver formed beneath the surface in Broken Hill.

The museum displays a multitude of world-class specimens in specially designed cases, although only a small portion of the extensive collection can be exhibited at any given time.

Among the highlights is the Silver Tree, crafted from 8.5kg of silver and formerly owned by Charles Rasp, the boundary rider who established the first mining lease in Broken Hill.

A notable feature is a singular silver nugget weighing 42kg, while presentations at the Crystal Theatre address the fundamental questions surrounding Broken Hill’s ore body and the geological processes that shaped it.

4. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

The oldest art gallery in regional New South Wales is located in Broken Hill and dates back to 1904. The building, meticulously restored, was originally constructed in 1885 and is associated with two prominent families from Broken Hill’s history, the Sullys and the Sweetapples.

The gallery curates a comprehensive collection of Australian art spanning colonial to contemporary periods.

Notable artists represented include George Lambert, Arthur Streeton, John Olsen, Noel Counihan, and Rupert Bunny.

The permanent collection is complemented by a dynamic calendar of exhibitions featuring national, state, and local artists, along with significant touring exhibitions.

This venue also hosts the annual acquisitive award, The Pro Hart Outback Art Prize.

5. Pro Hart Gallery

Kevin Charles “Pro” Hart (1928-2006), an artist of European descent renowned for his unique depiction of the Outback, was both born and passed away in Broken Hill.

Hart’s work gained significant acclaim for authentically capturing the scale and color palette of the desert, along with scenes from daily life in rural communities.

Subsequently, he became known for his extravagant style, combining metal and stone, utilizing balloons and cannons in his creative process, and even incorporating his own DNA into his signature to combat forgery.

Visitors can engage with Hart’s life and oeuvre at the Pro Hart Gallery, which houses numerous paintings and sculptures along with a continuous documentary chronicling his life.

6. Royal Flying Doctor Service, The Bruce Langford Visitors Centre

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) serves as a vital support system for Australia’s most remote communities, and this visitor center at Broken Hill Airport offers an insightful experience into this commendable organization.

During a scheduled tour, participants can observe an RFDS base in active operation.

The Mantle of Safety Museum recounts nearly a century of RFDS history, detailing some of the service’s remarkable acts of bravery while providing a closer look at the daily responsibilities of its dedicated professionals, including nurses, doctors, and pilots.

Inside, you will find an operational aircraft in the hangar, a theater that screens educational content, and a gift shop where proceeds contribute back to the organization.

7. Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum

This station, reconstructed in 1905, served as the terminus for the now-defunct Silverton Tramway, which connected to Broken Hill’s mining operations over a distance of 58 kilometers.

The building, characterized by its charming Federation-style architecture featuring intricate ironwork on the verandah and a traditional picket fence, was reopened as a museum in the 1970s, preserving the locomotives of the Silverton Tramway and an extensive collection of memorabilia.

This includes historical signs, lamps, tools, captivating documents, tickets, and artifacts from the old Silver City Comet.

Additional discoveries await in the museum grounds, including the Hospital Museum, the Tess Alfonsi Mineral Collection, the Migrant Heritage Collection, and the Ron Carter Transport Pavilion.

8. Jack Absalom Gallery

Jack Absalom (1927-2019), an adventurous artist and author, was largely self-taught and became associated with the Brushmen of the Bush collective in the 1970s.

Their exhibitions traveled throughout Australia, raising considerable funds for significant causes including the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Each year, Absalom would explore the Outback for two months, immersing himself in his artistic vision.

In 1997, his evocative portrayals of the desert landscape found a permanent exhibition space within his newly established gallery.

The gallery features 11 of Absalom’s oil paintings on large canvases, showcasing the Australian landscapes that inspired his creativity.

Additionally, there are books and limited edition prints available for purchase, along with an extensive collection of opal stones that Absalom gathered during his journeys.

9. Mad Max 2 Museum

Broken Hill’s stark Outback has provided a backdrop for numerous major films, ranging from the psychological thriller Wake in Fright (1971) to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). In 1981, filmmaker George Miller selected this dusty landscape as the filming location for the acclaimed Mad Max 2, attracting fans eager to explore the post-apocalyptic terrain.

Among these fans is Adrian Bennett, whose passion for Mad Max 2 led him from Northern England to Silverton, where he established a museum housing a collection of production artifacts.

This collection encompasses customized vehicles, costumes, and various props, gathered both through donations and explorations of the abandoned filming sites.

10. Mundi Mundi Lookout

Fans of Mad Max 2 will undoubtedly recognize the views from this lookout, situated a few kilometers northwest of Silverton.

Moreover, the lookout provides one of Australia’s most stunning vistas over the Mundi Mundi Plains.

From this vantage point, the Outback appears to extend infinitely, with detailed topographical features visible in the distance.

On clear days, one can perceive the curvature of the Earth, and the colors of the landscape are breathtaking as they transform throughout the day.

The sunsets are surreal, with the low sun casting a rich red hue over the desert, and at night, the plains illuminated by a brilliant starlit sky.

11. Mutawintji National Park

Located approximately 130 kilometers from Broken Hill, this national park offers access to an ancient landscape rich in Aboriginal heritage.

Mutawintji National Park features arid saltbush, reddish desert scenes, and rocky gorges, all set against the golden hues of the Byngnano Ranges.

Visitors can experience an exceptional display of Aboriginal art at the park, consisting of paintings, stencils, and engravings, along with guided tours highlighting Aboriginal heritage.

For those seeking self-guided exploration, the art can be viewed along the Rockholes Loop or on the Homestead Gorge Walking Track, where encounters with emus and wallabies are possible.

The Mutawintji Gorge Walking Track leads adventurers through a rocky canyon to a hidden pool nestled beneath towering red cliffs.

12. Silver City Mint & Art Centre

This diverse attraction provides a retail space for locally crafted silver jewelry, art, and handmade treats at the Mint & Art Centre’s on-site chocolate factory.

However, perhaps the most compelling reason to visit is the Big Picture panorama, officially recognized as the world’s largest acrylic painting by a single artist.

This remarkable piece, created by local artist “Ando,” depicts an Outback landscape and measures 100 meters in length and 12 meters in height.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the intricate details of this work, featuring 20,000 trees, 3,000 clouds, 1,500 hills, and 1,000 notable rocks.

13. Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour

A superb way to familiarize oneself with Broken Hill is to participate in a two-hour guided walking tour of the central business district, commencing from the visitor information center.

This volunteer-led tour departs at 10:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, showcasing the distinctive townscape characterized by its expansive mullock heap.

Participants can admire numerous heritage buildings along the route, including the Palace Hotel (established 1889), the Broken Hill Post Office (1892), the Broken Hill Trades Hall (1905), and the Wesley Uniting Church (1888).

14. Day Dream Mine Tour

This site illustrates how rapidly settlements can form and dissolve, as a town emerged and vanished within a decade.

Silver-bearing ore was discovered here, about 20 kilometers northwest of Broken Hill, in 1882. Within two years, a settlement of 500 individuals took shape around the Day Dream Smelter, yet by the 1890s, it was entirely abandoned.

With all reusable materials long salvaged from the site, no indications remain of the prior habitation.

Visiting the mine allows for a one-hour guided tour (suitable footwear is recommended). The tour begins with a stroll around the former township, showcasing the remnants of the smelter.

Participants will don helmets and lamps before entering the mine, where boys as young as eight years old worked under candlelight using rudimentary techniques.

The experience concludes with a pleasant cream tea at the Daydream Tea Rooms.

15. Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre

Preparation is vital when exploring the Outback, making a resource like the Broken Hill Visitor Centre extremely useful.

Located in a contemporary building, the centre offers amenities that exceed mere information services.

Part of the Tourist & Travellers Centre, it provides substantial RV parking, restroom facilities, showers, and a dump point for potable water refills.

Inside, a large branch of Gloria Jean’s Coffee Shop resides alongside a gift shop featuring handmade items and a diverse array of local products.

Furthermore, all expected informational services are readily available, including friendly travel guidance, maps, brochures, free Wi-Fi, and a reservations capability.