The best caravan parks in Broken Hill to call home

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Saddle up that RV. It’s time for a caravan trip out west towards Broken Hill.

Want to make that epic journey to the outback town of Broken Hill? With a rich mining history, epic desert landscapes of red dust, eclectic art scene, the famed filming location of Mad Max 2 is perfect for a road trip.

And while you might not have a spruced-up Ford Falcon to tear up the tarmac with, a caravan is most likely more comfortable for getting there. Once you arrive, here are Broken Hill’s best caravan sites to pull up for the night.

(Not sure what to do once you get there? We’ve also lined up a guide on the best things to do in Broken Hill.)

Broken Hill Outback Resort

Broken Hill Outback Resort
The resort has 80 powered and 20 unpowered sites to choose from.

Overlooking the rugged Barrier Ranges, this family and dog-friendly park and resort has spots for caravanning and camping, with 80 powered and 20 unpowered sites to choose from. If you want a touch more comfort, there are also 24 cabins available.

While facilities here include an undercover camp kitchen (as well as an amenities block, laundry and dump point), you can also opt for dinner at the heritage-listed Mt Gipps Hotel on site.

Built in the 1860s, today the hotel serves up delectable pizzas all day, as well as pub grub favourites for lunches and dinners. The resort is a 15-minute drive from town.

Address: Barrier Highway, Broken Hill

Penrose Park Silverton

Camping at the edge of a dusty, dry Umberumberka Creek, you will probably need to pinch yourself at this true Australian experience. Penrose Park Silverton can be found at the edge of the Mundi Mundi Plain, close to where the Mundi Mundi Bash happens each year. It is a quiet spot to enjoy the outback in peace, while still being a short walk from the town of Silverton, 20 minutes from Broken Hill.

Facilities include a shaded kids’ playground, a camp kitchen with barbeques, hot showers and laundry, as well as powered and unpowered sites, and ensuite cabins and cottages.

Address: Penrose Park Road, Silverton

Broken Hill Racecourse Campground

Basic and affordable, the Broken Hill Racecourse Campground is particularly popular come festival time. But powered and unpowered sites (as well as stabling if you happen to have trotted here on four legs), are also available at other times of the year outside of the Mundi Mundi Bash . Facilities include basic showers and bathrooms, and a grassed area. The campground is five minutes from town and is suitable for larger vehicles.

Address: Broken Hill Regional Events Centre, Racecourse Road, Broken Hill

Starview Campsite

Starview Campsite in Broken Hill
Starview is just 12 kilometres out of town. (Image: Broken Hill City Council)

Another very affordable site, the Starview Campsite costs just $10 per adult (which doesn’t include the $6 entry fee to the park itself) and offers you the priceless chance to sleep in the Living Desert State Park, home to the famous sandstone sculptures.

The cheap-as-chips campsite is 12 kilometres out of Broken Hill. Facilities include a woodchipped area for tents, 15 unpowered van sites, toilets and showers, as well as barbeques and picnic areas.

Come nightfall, settle back on the site’s ‘star-view seats’, or in your swag, to watch the night sky above.

Address: Nine Mile Road, Broken Hill

Outback View Holiday Park

The Outback View Holiday Park (previously known as the Lake View Caravan Park) is a town-based campground for those who don’t want to stray too far from the action. Now under new ownership, this doggo-friendly accommodation is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift.

In the meantime, they are still offering cabin accommodation, as well as powered and unpowered sites for campers and caravanners alike. Facilities include a camp kitchen, laundry and pool.

Address: 1 Mann Street, Broken Hill

Broken Hill Tourist Park

The Broken Hill Tourist Park is a cosy, friendly option close to the centre of town. As well as sweet touches like a ‘cheese and biccies’ meet up for guests to meet other travellers, the park has some enviable hot and powerful showers. Facilities at the tourist park include an outdoor pool, barbecues, free internet, cabins, ensuite-powered sites and powered sites suitable for caravans. The Broken Hill Tourist Park is dog-friendly.

Address: 142 Rakow St, Broken Hill

While you’re in Broken Hill, be sure to check out the best restaurants and cafes around town.

Kate Bettes
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

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Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

 

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3. The city as a canvas   

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month  to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.