Unique Broken Hill Accommodation - Australian Traveller

Planning a trip to Broken Hill? There’s a stay to match all types of travellers that roll on into this town.

The outback town has attracted dreamers, miners and artists for decades. When it comes to Broken Hill, you better believe you’re going to want more than a night. From a desert church to a farm stay out at the station, we’ve put together the best Broken Hill accommodation below. And if you’d rather set up in the great outdoors, we’ve also rounded up the best Broken Hill caravan sites and camping spots.

Unusual Broken Hill stays

Broken Hill Outback Church Stay, Broken Hill

A luxury stay in a converted church that’s over a century old might not be what you pictured for your stay in the outback town of Broken Hill, but you won’t in any way regret making that booking.

Broken Hill Outback Church bedroom — It doesn’t get more unique than a stay here.

The Broken Hill Outback Church Stay is a charming mix of the old and new, with its Romanesque church fittings and the antique altar, paired with the ensuite limestone spa bathroom. Book this property or the associated Presbytery and Cottage properties.

Broken Hill Outback Church Stay bathroom — The converted church features a limestone spa bathroom.

Eldee Station

An eco-credentialled sheep and cattle farm just 25 kilometres from Broken Hill, Eldee Station is an award-winning farm stay out on the vast expanse of the Mundi Mundi Plains.

Eldee Station is located on the Mundi Mundi Plains. (Image: Destination NSW)

It’s a desert accommodation with a more remote location that makes it ideal for those wanting to check out the magnificent Milky Way in the night sky, far from any city lights. Pick from their guest suites or their camping ground (swag hire available), before embarking on a 4WD adventure to the back of beyond.

Milky Way Broken Hill — Expect magnificent views of the Milky Way at night. (Image: Destination NSW)

Palace Hotel Broken Hill

Pack those heels for a stay at The Palace Hotel : famous for its starring role in The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

The deck of the Palace Hotel — Sit in the sun on the deck of the Palace Hotel.

Make like characters Bernadette, Adam and Tick and book in for a night among the fabulously kitsch Aussie landscape murals of The Palace.

Inside the rooms of Broken Hill Palace Hotel — Have an authentic Broken Hill experience with a stay at the renowned Palace Hotel. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, sashay on down for its Wednesday karaoke night or for a night on the town during the three-day Broken Heel Festival – a celebration of all things Priscilla.

Best self-contained Broken Hill stays

Emaroo Cottages

Emaroo Cottages are right in the centre of town and make for a pet-friendly accommodation choice. There are four cottages to choose from, with barbecues, a fully-equipped kitchen and laundry. Run by a local family, the accommodation options include a renovated miner’s cottage.

Worker’s Cottage, Fowlers Gap

Want more rustic than renovated? Get a taste of the lonely nature of mining life with a romantic stay at Worker’s Cottage, a Broken Hill Airbnb .

The trip out will take about half an hour, but believe us, it’s worth it. Arrive at an open-plan rustic cottage, perfect for couples looking to get away from it all among the red dirt.

Workers Cottage Fowlers Gap Bedroom — Sink into the comfy bed of an evening after a day of outback exploring.

By day, embark on a nearby gorge hike, and by night, sit back with a glass of wine to look at the light show above.

Broken Hill Outback Resort

Overlooking the rugged Barrier Ranges, this family and dog-friendly park and resort doesn’t just have spots for caravanning and camping but also has 24 self-contained cabins to choose from.

Options include cabins with deck barbecues and double spa baths, as well as kitchenettes and interconnection rooms.

If you don’t fancy cooking, the heritage-listed Mt Gipps Hotel is on the property and serves up pub food.

Best Broken Hill motels

Sturt Motel Broken Hill

If ever a town were built for road-tripping, Broken Hill would take the top prize. For an affordable night in a cosy bed, the Sturt Motel is a pet-friendly pick.

Options range from double to superior rooms that sleep three, and continental breakfast is available.

A massive bonus in the Broken Hill weather? Its alluring swimming pool, a dive in which is the best way to wind down after a hot, bothersome drive.

Red Earth Motel Broken Hill

If you’d rather choose a motel with apartment accommodation, look no further than the Red Earth Motel .

Red Earth Motel in Broken Hill — Make yourself at home in a cosy Studio Apartment.

With its mix of studios and multi-roomed apartments, Red Earth is a great choice for families or those travelling out west as a larger group. Each apartment has a full kitchen, with the three-bedroom even coming with laundry facilities.

Each guest can make use of the Red Earth pool, covered barbecue and 24-hour reception service.

Best Broken Hill hotels

The Imperial Fine Accommodation

Pick something a little bit special with a stay at this historical and heritage-renovated hotel . Lean into the old-world feel of The Imperial. Once you’ve checked in, challenge your travel companions to a game of billiards in the old front bar. Or (and we wouldn’t blame you if this was the case) go straight to their walled courtyard. There you will find a saltwater, solar-heated pool, as well as the shade of apricot trees under which you can settle with a good book.

The Astra Broken Hill

Dating back to the 1890s, The Astra has retained its heritage features and charms despite the passage of time (and the addition of an al fresco cocktail bar, and scrummy dessert bar). Book into one of its eight suites – or its historical two-bedroom cottage – to spend a night or two in this beautiful old building.

ibis Styles Broken Hill

While this is an affordable hotel that remains a favourite among business travellers and road trippers alike, it might be the ibis Styles ’ S-Que Restaurant that first draws your attention. This hotel restaurant is one of the most popular places to eat in town. The S-Que serves up a wide range of dishes, including New Zealand oysters, scotch fillet steak and paella. Rooms at the ibis range from standard double to family.

For more insider tips, check out our ultimate guide to Broken Hill for the best things to do, restaurants and caravan parks in town.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

The best Broken Hill accommodation for every type of traveller