Broken Hill - The Australian Traveller Guide
Broken Hill lies in the far north west of NSW, 1160 kms from Sydney but is actually closer to Adelaide, just 517kms. Being so close to the SA border (50kms) the town actually operates on SA time.
An historically incredibly important town, Broken Hill conjures the essence of two great Australian themes - Outback and Mining. The town lends its name to one of the most important mining companies in the world BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary Company) for good reason. In 1883 boundary rider Charles Rasp found the world’s largest deposit of zinc, lead and silver. And the boom was on.
The name Broken Hill comes from Charles Sturt who named the Barrier Ranges which the town sits on and noted a Broken Hill in the middle of it. The original Broken Hill has been mined away. The town is dominated buy what can only be called a man made rocky hill - that has been hauled up from underground. Street names like sulphide, cobalt, argent, chloride and oxide make sure mining is never from anyone’s mind.
Today mining is still the most important industry but increasingly art and tourism are playing a role.
Where to Stay
There are surprisingly loads of places to stay in the city with motels, pubs in the truest send of the word, B&Bs, caravan parks and cottages. Surrounding Broken Hill there is limited accommodation at Silverton.
What to Do
Loads, really. The surrounding area is rich with things to do. The trip to Silverton and Mundi Mundi plains is a highlight. As is the desert sculptural gardens. Then there are the numerous art galleries, the most famous being Pro Hart. Surrounding Broken Hill are some incredibly interesting wildernesses, the Kinchenga National Park which includes Lake Menindee and Mutawintji National Park. Often it is best to use local guides, Tri State Safaris being the best local operator.
When to Travel
In the southern winter. From October to March it is uncomfortably, ridiculously intensely hot. There are two other times when the town is full and rooms are hard to come by. The highlight of the social calendar is the St Patrick’s Raceday held not as the name would suggest on St Patrick’s Day but the closest Saturday to the day of green. The other booked out day is the agricultural show, Agfair which is held usually the first weekend in May and race day.
Transport
REX flies daily to Broken Hill from Sydney, Dubbo and Adelaide. The Indian Pacific arrives every Sunday and Thursday from Sydney and Fridays and Tuesdays from Adelaide. Countrylink operates other services and travel packages. Buss R Us operates services from Adelaide and Mildura. Three hire companies, Hertz, Avis and Thrifty have affiliates or franchises at the airport.
Area Highlights
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Great Articles on Broken Hill from
Australian Traveller Magazine
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Best Towns: 025 Broken Hill Surrounded by desert in a 300km radius, Broken Hill is smack bang in the middle of nowhere – or the middle of everywhere, as locals like to say. 
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090 Seeing is Believing at Broken Hill World's largest acrylic painting by one man, Ando.
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060 Visit a slice of the '50S in the Outback Have a milkshake in an authentic milk bar
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Portfolio: Silver City - Broken Hill NSW Broken Hill has been dubbed, variously, the Capital of the Outback, the Oasis of the West and Silver City. Built with mining machinery but more recently overtaken by easels and brushes, chisels and lenses, it’s been transformed into an artist’s haven. And for a town in the supposed “outback”, it’s a great deal closer than you think . . . By Richard Shaw*
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056 - See the Outback sculptures at sunset This list was compiled in 2006. The updated 2011 Edition can be found here.
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Best Towns: 047 Silverton A town so emblematic that every time anyone in TV or film wants to portray the outback they head straight to Silverton.
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Emaroo Argent Australian Traveller Magazine's 100 Great Australian Holiday Homes
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