Destination guides > Australia > New South Wales > Outback NSW > Broken Hill
Broken Hill
Broken Hill is the major city in the New South Wales outback. It is a busy mining town and the original home of Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP), now called BHP Billiton, which started out mining silver here and grew to become Australia’s largest company.
Broken Hill is a great opportunity to see what life is like in an outback mining town and you can also experience some real outback institutions including the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air.
Unusually for an outback mining town, Broken Hill has a thriving arts scene and is home to many artists, the most well-known being Jack Absalom and Pro Hart. Many people come to Broken Hill to visit the city’s many art galleries.
Broken Hill runs on South Australian time and also uses South Australia’s 08 telephone area code.
Practical information
Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre
Corner Blende & Bromide Streets, Broken Hill
Tel (08) 8080 3560
Website www.visitbrokenhill.com.au
Open 8.30am-5pm daily
Coming & going
Despite its remote location, Broken Hill is easy to get to. If you’re driving in the region around the Murray River then Broken Hill is just a three-hour drive north of Mildura. It is also on the train and bus route that connects Adelaide with Sydney.
Broken Hill’s airport handles flights from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney but there is no public transport from the airport so you’ll have to take a taxi in town.
The train is the best way to get here; the Indian Pacific stops here between Adelaide and Sydney. This train is considered one of Australia’s classic train journeys, particularly if you travel all the way to Perth. The train station is on Crystal Street in the city centre near the corner of Chloride Street.
Buses stop at the tourist information centre at the corner of Blende and Bromide Streets. Buses go to Adelaide, Dubbo and Mildura. Take a bus to Dubbo to connect with buses to other destinations in New South Wales or Mildura for connections in Victoria.
Hostel accommodation
Tourist Lodge YHA
100 Argent Street, Broken Hill
Tel (08) 8088 2086
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
Located in the historic Sully’s Emporium on Argent Street, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery has an important collection of over 1700 Australian artworks including works by many leading Aboriginal artists. It is also noted for its collection of work by local artists including Pro Hart.
404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill
Tel (08) 8080 3440
Website www.brokenhill.net.au/bhart/main.html
Admission $2
Open 10am-5pm daily
Broken Hill Heritage Trail
Broken Hill is much more prosperous than most other outback towns and over the years many grand old buildings have been erected. The Broken Hill Heritage Trail is a walking tour that takes you around the city’s most historic buildings. You can either take a guided tour or follow the trail yourself.
Tours depart from the information centre (Corner Blende & Bromide Streets, Broken Hill)
Tours Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am
Line of Lode
Line of Lode is a striking structure that is a memorial to over 800 miners who died working along the Line of Lode. The memorial features audio-visual exhibits and offers spectacular views over Broken Hill.
Federation Road, Broken Hill
Tel (08) 8088 9700
Admission free
Open 10am-10pm daily
Royal Flying Doctor Service
This outback institution provides medical support in isolated communities. The RFDS maintains visitors centres in several outback towns and this one is a working base with a museum on site. A visit includes a one-hour tour of the base.
Broken Hill Airport
Tel (08) 8080 3714
Website www.flyingdoctor.net/Broken-Hill.html
Admission $5.50
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm
School of the Air
While the Flying Doctor looks after medical problems in the outback, the School of the Air educates the outback. This unique correspondence school allows visitors to experience what life is like for children in the more remote parts of the outback. It is essential to book ahead through the tourist office.
Lane Street, Broken Hill
Book ahead through the tourist information centre at (08) 8080 3560
Admission $3.30
Tours Mon-Fri 8.20am school days (you must arrive between 8.15am & 8.20am)
