An amazing week in Broken Hill & surrounds
With its HERITAGE BUILDINGS, lively cultural scene, vibrant drag culture and FRIENDLY vibe, there’s much MORE to this old mining town than silver, lead and zinc.
FEW PLACES provide so condensed a version of the quirky outback as the Broken Hill region. Explore national parks rich in wildlife and Aboriginal stories, colonial-era towns steeped in history, and the majestic Darling River. You’ll be captivated by iconic outback sights from rock art to red kangaroos and campfire stars.
Yet the Broken Hill region doesn’t just supply the happy stereotypes every Aussie should experience. You’ll also find a thriving arts and movie scene, great dining and eclectic outback communities – including a vibrant drag culture – that reflect contemporary Australia.
GET ARTY IN BROKEN HILL
Admire the architecture of Australia’s oldest mining town and Australia’s only heritagelisted city, which combines cosmopolitan cool and outback edginess. Broken Hill has dozens of art galleries that display the bright colours inspired by the landscape. Beyond town, features huge LIVING DESERT RESERVE modern sculptures and sensational sunsets. Stay: and THE ASTRA OUTBACK CHURCH are restored heritage buildings. STAY How long: Three nights, or four if not staying in Silverton.
GO QUIRKY IN SILVERTON
Silverton wins top prize for outback quirkiness, its quintessential outback pub and burnt-orange landscape that bends on the horizon over the Mundi Mundi Plains. Looks familiar? Dozens of Aussie TV commercials and movies have been filmed here, from Mad Max 2 to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Silverton is dotted with remnants of its 1880s silver-mining boom, including the and SILVERTON GAOL MUSEUM DAY DREAM MINE, both of which run fascinating tours. Surviving buildings are a photographer’s delight against orange earth and blue skies. Amid the historic and more recent structures are cafes, art studios and eccentric boutiques.
Stay: overlooks Mundi ELDEE STATION Mundi Plains, while WARRIGAL COUNTRY provides a farm stay among a COTTAGE menagerie of animals.
How long: One night, but Silverton is 25 kilometres away from Broken Hill and easily visited on a day trip.
FIND YOUR DARLING IN MENINDEE
Menindee is graced with handsome Victorian architecture on the banks of the Darling River. Visit OLD KINCHEGA HOMESTEAD, an 1880s sheep station that recalls the region’s early pastoral heritage.
Join a cruise on the RIVER LADY TOURS Darling River, from which dead river gums stick up like modern artworks and provide a magnificent perch for egrets and pelicans.
How long: One night. Some 113 kilometres southeast of Broken Hill, Menindee can also be done on a day tour, escorted or self drive.
For more information, visit destinationbrokenhill.com.au