Broken Hill, Outback NSW — New South Wales

Broken Hill is a city located in the outback area of New South Wales, near the border to South Australia. Located on the Barrier Range, it is a town with a rich mining history. The place-name was given in reference to a series of hills within the city that has long been mined out and is no longer distinct at the present. The city also bears the nicknames ‘The Silver City’ and the ‘Capital of the Outback.’

The city has several historic buildings that are well-maintained up to the present. Along Argent Street are several public buildings that are certainly worth viewing. There’s the Post Office, built in 1890, with a turret and verandah. Next to it is the Town Hall, constructed in 1891 while the Police Station is located next door, built in 1890.

The Technical College, next door to the Police Station, was built at the turn of the 20th century and is a good example of a Federation-style building. Next to it is the Courthouse, which features a war memorial made out of bronze and was unveiled in 1925.

Another notable structure and one featured in the film ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ is the Palace Hotel.

The city is also the location of the country’s first mosque, located on the corner of Buck and William Streets. This newly restored structure welcomes visitors on Sundays. Other notable religious structures in Broken Hill include the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cathedral, built in 1903, and the Saint Joseph's Convent of Mercy, constructed in 1891.

The city may be situated right in the desert landscape but is green and verdant within.

When visitors go to Sturt Park, they will see the Titanic Memorial, commemorating the musical band that kept playing even when the ill-fated ship sank in 1912. Another good outdoor destination is the Riddiford Arboretum on Galena Street.

The city’s mining industry is featured in several of the town’s attractions. The White's Mineral Art and Mining Museum is a large complex featuring a walk-in mining excavation site, salvaged machinery, displays of precious and semi-precious stone, and much more. The museum, located on Allendale Street, also presents mining videos and offers guided tours.

The Delprats Underground Tourist Mine allows tourist to go down the mines themselves and experience the conditions faced by numerous miners in the area.

The city has been promoting itself as a regional art center, in an effort to provide an alternative to its mining industry. This is manifested in several art galleries dotting the city landscape, featuring works of local and foreign artists. One of the most notable is the Thankakali Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centre, ideal place for purchasing souvenirs to take home.

After touring the attractions within and around Broken Hill, visitors can drop by the Broken Hill Golf and Country Club, along Racecourse Road. Golfers may even get to share the greens with kangaroos and emus that occasionally wander into the golf course.

Another popular sporting venue is the Duke of Cornwell Park, accessed on the corner of Argent and Garnet Streets. The park has tennis courts that can be rented, as well as facilities for picnics and barbecues.

Despite the city’s seemingly isolated location, it boasts of a bustling nightlife, with numerous bars and nightclubs open the whole night through, every day of the year.