Broken Hill is a mining town in outback New South Wales, alongside the border of South Australia. It’s reasonably isolated, but there is still plenty to entertain in this sprawling town. Art galleries pepper the area showing an appreciation for culture, and the Silver City Mint & Art Centre houses The Big Picture, which is the world’s largest acrylic painting on canvas (by a single artist). The painting measures around 100metres long and 12metres high, and is one of the town’s biggest attractions.
Film aficionados will appreciate the Mad Max Museum, the only one of its kind. The museum is dedicated to the film Mad Max 2, most of which was filmed in the town, and contains memorabilia, photos, and original and replica vehicles. It also explores the impact the film had on the Australian Film Industry, and the town itself.
The Historic Daydream Mine, just outside of Broken Hill, takes visitors back to when the area was a thriving mining town. Take a tour to learn about the township then head underground as the miners did and experience the closeness for yourself while learning about the harsh conditions the miners once endured.
Broken Hill is surrounded by desert as far as the eye can see, a short drive from the town centre, the Living Desert Reserve collects the highlights of desert life in one place. The Flora and Fauna Sanctuary displays the desert wilderness while the 12 sandstone sculptures are a stunning photo op at sunset.
While attractions are reasonably close to the town, drive carefully, as many roads beyond the centre are unsealed. It’s also important to prepare for the weather so pack the car with plenty of water in warmer months and add extra layers in winter.
