A unique blend of beautiful Australian outback terrain, mining history and art.
Broken Hill is prominent in the history of Australian mining where the discovery of silver, lead and zinc opened up various mines. It is commonly referred to as “the Silver City”. The impact of mining can be seen everywhere, from the massive line of lode overlooking the city, the museums and memorials to its mining history, the geologically themed street names, to the historic buildings that were built as the “boom” city developed. Broken Hill is surrounded by the red earth of the Australian outback, with its rocky terrain, beautiful gorges and waterholes. Its isolation and natural beauty provided the idea place for artistic expression, with its many art galleries. Nearby Silverton is a picturesque “ghost town” and the landscape has been used in several memorable films and TV series.
Broken Hill is located in the far west of outback New South Wales, in the Barrier Range near the South Australia border. It is located 1,100km from Sydney, and the closest city is Mildura in Victoria, 200 km to the south.
Australia’s Oldest Mining Town
Broken Hill is Australia’s oldest mining town, and many streets are named after minerals and rocks. Argent Street, the city’s main street are lined with beautiful old buildings.
Broken Hill Post office (1892) on Argent Street
Brokenn Hill Courthouse (1889) on Argent Street
Old Town Hall (1906) on Argent Street
LINE OF LODE MINERS MEMORIAL
Federation Way, Broken Hill 2880
The Line of Lode overlooks the city and is one of the world’s largest bodies of ore, containing silver, lead and zinc that brought fortunes for many in Broken Hill. It also brought tragedy and over 800 lost their lives when mining there. The Line of Lode Miner’s memorial is a memorial to each miner who died with their names etched into glass panels withing the high ruts-red walls. There are also spectacular views on these 30 m-high piles of mullock on which the memorial is built.
- THE SYNDICATE OF SEVEN
Corner of Blende & Sulphide Streets, Broken Hill 2880
Broken Hill was foundered in 1883 by a boundary rider Charles rasp, who discovered what he thought was tin but it turned out to be silver and lead in an orebody that became one of the richest in the world. Rasp and six others foundered Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), one of Australia’s largest companies.
The sculptures depict the seven men who foundered Broken Hill when they pegged claims for mining leases along the line of Lode in 1883. It depicts busts of Charles Rasp, the first to make a claim and six others who were fellow workers at Mt Gipps Station. The other six were David Jemes, James Poole, George McCulloch, Phillip Cleary, George Urquart and George Lind. These leases were the foundation of the forming of Broken Hill Mining Company (BHP) in 1885.
BROKEN HILL MINING MUSEUM
1 Allendale Road, Broken Hill, 2880
An Entrance Fee applies. The museum is open daily from 9:00 am -5:00 pm.
Also referred to as White’s Mineral Art and Mining Museum is a simulated mine construction using old mining timber and has displays of old mining implements and dioramas showing mining operations. The museum also features mineral art works by Broken Hill artist Kevin “Bush” White, which depicts mining scene and Broken Hill buildings. Visitors are given a personal guided tour that shows the changes that have occurred in mining operations since 1883. There are 1,500 pieces of mining memorabilia on display.
PRO HART GALLERY
108 Wyman St, Broken Hill 2880
Tel: 08 8088 1511
www.prohart.com.au
There is an admission fee of $5.00 for adults and Concession $3.00
Pro Hart, a former miner was known for depicting the working class and outback life. He was an internationally renowned artist who worked across many forms and this is depicted in the many drawings painting and sculptures at the Pro Hart Gallery. The Gallery provides details about the life of this artisan, painter, and inventor and you will see much of his work in a wide range of drawings, etchings and sculptures. He was also a collector car of which some are on display.
- LIVING DESERT STATE PARK
9 Mile Road Broken Hill 2880
Entrance is free
In 1993 artists from around the world began work on 12 sandstone sculptures using sandstone blocks from the Wilcannia region, some as heavy as 50 tons in the middle of the desert in Broken Hill .Six weeks later their creations were unveiled in a spectacular area 15-minutes north of the city with sweeping views of the outback landscape. It can be assessed by road or a 900 m walking track from the living Desert Picnic Area. Also, to be seen is the 180 Hectare flora and fauna sanctuary.
- WHITE ROCKS HISTORICAL SITE
Hynes Street Broken Hill 2880
This is a small hill with an outcrop of white quartz where Mullah Abdulla, a camel driver and Gool Badsha Mahomed, an ice-cream seller fled after attacking and ambushing a train carrying civilians on board for a picnic in nearby Silverton in 1915. The incident, known as the Battle of Broken Hill was the only attack to take place on Australia soil in World War 1. After a three-hour long exchange of fire, one ambusher was killed and the other died of wounds later. This small park provides an interesting history of the event.
- ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR OUTBACK HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
Airport Road, Broken Hill, 2880
Entrance Fee; Adults $25, Concession $20, Children $15
Opening Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am -4:00 pm
This museum provides the opportunity to discover through interactive exhibitions and displays how the Flyting Doctor delivers urgent care across the vast continent of Australia and covers the past and current day operations. The Broken Hill base covers 640,000 square kilometres of the outback and had operated since 1928.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air: Qantas fly’s regular services from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
By Car: From Sydney. Distance, 1134 km via Mudgee, Dubbo, Cobar & Wilcannia
From Melbourne Distance 837 km via Bendigo and Mildura.
From Adelaide Distance 517 km via Barrier Highway
By Train: The weekly Outback Explorer train departs from Sydney. There is an XPT to Dubbo and then bus to Broken Hill. Check the NSW Train Link website for timetables and fares