13 Unique Things to Do in Broken Hill

At first glance, this outback town might seem as bare as the desert that surrounds it. But it doesn’t take much digging to find the rich underside of this spirited community.

Famous for its stark outback beauty, rich mining history, and vivacious art scene, Broken Hill is a one-of-a-kind Aussie destination.

Not only has it – and the nearby town of Silverton – played the starring role in many Australian screen dramas – but it also has a fascinating story of its own. From memorials to its founding residents to wild dances in the surrounding desert, here’s what to add to your list when you get to Broken Hill.

1. Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

Mundi Mundi Bash Sunset — Killer sunsets are a given in the outback. (Image: Matt Smith)

Get ready to party with the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash , out near the Mundi Mundi Lookout near Silverton. A dance festival that is family and dog-friendly, the ‘Bash’ celebrates Australian live music over three days in winter.

Kick up some red dirt all day with your dancing, before retiring back to your caravan or tent: only to do it all again the next day.

2. The Palace Hotel

The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill — The Palace Hotel was erected as a coffee palace in 1889. (Image: Destination NSW)

Did you know that this now famous drinking hole began as a strictly ‘no grog’ temperance coffeehouse? Today, the Palace Hotel is more famous for its appearance in the iconic Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. The Broken Hill pub is a stop on the Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour, but if you can’t make the tour, it’s still worth ducking in to see its gorgeous kitsch Aussie landscape murals. Enjoy the air con when the midday heat is ramping up, or come here for dinner.

3. Mad Max 2 Museum

Mad Max 2 Museum in Broken Hill — The museum is located just 20 minutes from Broken Hill. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the nearby town of Silverton, around 20 minutes from Broken Hill, is another must-see for lovers of the silver screen: The Mad Max 2 Museum . This privately owned space will astound even those who haven’t seen the wildly successful movie series, with a vast collection of costumes, photos, memorabilia and even original vehicles from Mad Max 2, which was filmed in the area.

4. The Living Desert and Sculptures

Living Desert State Park in Broken Hill — The park is at its best during dusk and dawn. (Image: Destination NSW)

Thirty years ago, 53 tonnes of sandstone were shipped to the Living Desert State Park , on a hilltop 12 kilometres outside of the town. Why? In order to be transformed into statues, of course. Pay $6 to gain entry to the park, and walk among the rock sculptures in the natural beauty of their surroundings. Best to do it at sunrise or sunset if you can – both for keeping out of the heat and for those golden hour photoshoots. You can also camp here if you’re so inclined.

5. Line of Lode Miners Memorial

Line of Lode Miners Memorial in Broken Hill — The memorial commemorates lives lost in Broken Hill’s mining industry since 1883. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another beautiful, and thought-provoking site to visit in Broken Hill is the Line of Lode Miners Memorial lookout. Created in memory of the 800 workers who have died over the history of this mining town, its rusty-red steel body is located upon an enormous hill made of mining waste. Spend a while here, reading the names of the men that are carved up here, and looking at the surroundings. Another one where the best time to come here is at dawn or dusk.

6. Day Dream Mine

Day Dream Mine in Broken Hill — Witness a miner’s working life at Day Dream Mine. (Image: Destination NSW)

While it has a pretty name, working at Day Dream Mine was at times closer to a nightmare for those that came here, over the course of its life as a working mine. Today, you can experience for yourselves what it must have been like to be an outback miner, with an under and overground tour here.

7. Menindee Lakes

Menindee Lakes in Broken Hill — The Lakes are situated along the Darling River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Need some fresh air after being underground? Head for the Menindee Lakes, the ephemeral lakes along the Darling River. Canoe and swim here, or you can even try your hand at catching Murray cod. It’s 75 minutes from the township, so make a day trip off it or opt to camp overnight.

8. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery in Broken Hill — The gallery runs on a pay-by-donation basis. (Image: Destination NSW)

Hungry for more art? The Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery is the oldest regional gallery in the state and has been running for almost 120 years. With a mix of locally curated exhibitions, as well as visiting artworks from urban centres, this pay-by-donation gallery houses works by Pro Hart, Norman Lindsay and Frederick McCubbin.

9. Pro Hart Art Gallery

Pro Hart Gallery Broken Hill — Pro Hart even houses works by Monet. (Image: Destination NSW)

Considered by some to be the ‘father’ of modern Australian outback painting, Pro Hart was born in Broken Hill and grew up on a local sheep farm. His paintings and works – often with witty and colourful narratives – can be admired today at the Pro Hart Art Gallery in Broken Hill. This eclectic gallery also houses works from Albert Tucker, Artur Boyd and even Monet!

10. Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience, Broken Hill

Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill — The RFDS was founded in 1928 to deliver regional healthcare. (Image: Destination NSW)

Founded in 1928 to deliver healthcare in regions where families might have enormous distances to travel to get to the nearest emergency, the Royal Flying Doctors now provides 24-hour emergency services. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience (which is actually located in a real RFDS base, a few minutes out of town), and get a feel for its history with an immersive audio-visual installation that takes you back to the fifties, as well as visiting the hangar, and take a peek in at live operations.

11. Silverton Outback Camels

Silverton Outback Camels in Broken Hill — You can even book an overnight stay at the camel farm. (Image: Destination NSW)

From travelling by plane to embarking on the ships of the desert, Silverton Outback Camels will see you checking out the surrounding landscape from the back of a camel. Book onto one of their sunset tours, or prolong the experience with your new-found hairy friend, with an overnight stay at their camel farm, 20 minutes from Broken Hill, where children will be rapturous to meet donkeys, emus, and even alpacas.

12. Broken Hill Distillery

Broken Hill Distillery in Broken Hill — The Distillery is known for its uniquely Australian flavours.

Try a tipple with the flavours of the desert at the Broken Hill Distillery . Operating a cellar door with tours, and an outdoor area to relax in afterwards, the distillery is best known for having out-of-the-ordinary and uniquely Australian flavours. Think redgum honey and quandong gin, or its rosemary, mint and wattleseed brew – the perfect gift to take back with you after a long lunch.

13. Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour

Start with a tour of the outback town to get your bearings. The two-hour Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour is volunteer run (you pay by donation) and takes in some of Broken Hill’s most important buildings; like the red-brick Post Office and the Palace Hotel. Tours run from 10am to 12pm. Please note: this is temporarily closed.

Have you booked your stay in Broken Hill yet? Check out our accommodation guide in Broken Hill.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

13 unique things to do in Broken Hill