'''Broken Hill'''[http://www.visitbrokenhill.com.au/] is an historic mining city in the Far West (Outback) of the Australian state of New South Wales. Mining has occurred throughout the entire life of Broken Hill since its founding in 1883. Australia's largest mining concern BHP Billiton has it's origins here with the initials BHP standing for "Broken Hill Proprietary". The mining industry has declined in recent years however it still plays an important part in the story of the town with many tourist attractions associated with mining. The other main reason to visit Broken Hill is for the artists who have called the city home. There are many galleries around the city that are worth visiting.
Get in
By car
It is just over 1,000 km of mostly long straight drive to Broken Hill from Sydney, and just over 500 km from Adelaide. Both roads are mostly good quality sealed roads. The scenery will change slowly along the way. Broken Hill is on the edge of the real outback, but is easily accessible by car.
By train
[http://www.countrylink.info Countrylink] run weekly direct services to Broken Hill from Sydney. It is called the ''''Outback Explorer''''. The Sydney to Broken Hill leg is on the Monday (6:20am to 7:10pm). The return journey is on the Tuesday (7:45am to 9:48pm). Country link also run a daily service that is a train to Dubbo from Sydney and then a bus from Dubbo to Broken Hill. Sydney to Broken Hill is 7:10am to 10:45pm and the return is 3:45am to 8:48pm.
[http://www.gsr.com.au Indian Pacific] runs directly to Broken Hill twice a week from Sydney and Adelaide. Tours of the town are available while the train is stopped at Broken Hill if travelling the Indian Pacific between Sydney and Adelaide/Perth.
It is not possible to take cars to Broken Hill by train. The only drop-off/collection points are in Sydney and Adelaide.
Broken Hill train station is one block from the main shopping strip and walking distance to some accommodation. Taxis are available at the station to meet the trains.
By plane
[http://www.rex.com.au Regional Express] has direct services from Sydney, Adelaide and Dubbo. The Sydney service can either be direct (one return flight per day) or with a stop over in Dubbo. Essentially there are two flights per day from Sydney to Broken Hill however they book out quickly. The Adelaide service is a direct flight with two to three return flights per day. This may be a better option if flying: in December 2007, one-way fares from Sydney started at $A218; from Adelaide, $A132. No other commercial airlines fly to Broken Hill.
By bus
[http://www.busesrus.com.au Buses R Us] travel three times per week between Adelaide and Broken Hill. The travel time is about 7 hours. Greyhound (formerly McCafferty)) no longer offer a service to Broken Hill from Adelaide and V Line only offers a service between Mildura and Melbourne. Countylink (see 'By Train' above) offer a combined train and bus route from Sydney.
Getting around
Coach tours are an option. Taxis are also available. But you will need a car to see the town and surroundings independently. This poses problems for the adventurous. Rental cars in the city often charge a premium for travelling further than 100-200 km, which is easy to do. After that, the rate is generally 25 cents a kilometre. Driving on unsealed roads is only allowed if you hire a four-wheel drive; even then, if you have an accident, you are liable for the entire insurance excess. So getting off the beaten track is difficult. At least one company only lets you drive to Menindee or Silverton.
If you want a real experience you can always take a COBB & CO Coach ride that will take you back in time and off the beaten track, you can see some real country. [http://www.meanders.biz COBB & Co]
See
See the sunset in the outback, just out of town. There are a few favourite pieces of high ground where the sun looks like it drops off the end of the world. The best spot is the lookout just west of Silverton, overlooking the Mundi Mundi plain. Truly spectacular.
'''Miner's Memorial.''' Located on the top of the mullock heap on the edge of the CBD is the Line of Lode Miner's Memorial and Visitors Centre.
The a number of films have been produced in and around Broken Hill over the years, for example; [http://www.murrayoutback.org.au/broken_hill_films_produced.php#priscilla_queen_of_the_desert_in_broken_hill Priscilla Queen of the Desert], [http://www.murrayoutback.org.au/broken_hill_films_produced.php#mad_max_2_in_broken_hill Mad Max 2] and [http://www.murrayoutback.org.au/broken_hill_films_produced.php#race_to_the_sun_in_broken_hill Race The Sun].
Do
'''Mine tours'''. You can go underground in the mining shaft and get a real experience of mining. There use to be a tour of Delprat's mine (8088 1604), which overlooked the town and took visitors over 100 metres below ground to workings that were active in the late 20th century. Tour guides were men who worked in the mines. However, due to the resource "boom", Delprat's mine was closed to the public in 2007. The Daydream Mine is just out of town on the road to Silverton, and is much smaller, but gives an impression of what mining was like in the 19th century, when all of the work was done by hand.
'''Pony, Horse Trail Rides & carriage rides '''. There's plenty to do for the whole family at The Silver City Cobb & Co Stagecoach Stop at 383 Brookfield Av (Silverton Rd) the edge of town. Kids can have pony rides while bigger kids can experience Trail riding or supervised horse rides, for those that cant ride you can have riding lessons or a Coach rides.http://www.meanders.biz/
Buy
Broken Hill has developed a thriving artistic community. Take a browse through some of the Art Galleries and outlets in and around the town.
'''Pro Hart Gallery'''
Eat
Drink
Bars
As one would predict for a mining town, Broken Hill, has its fair share of bars but those expecting frontier style pubs will be disappointed. The majority of bars in Broken Hill are of the RSL club style, full of cheap drinks and pokie machines. Having said that one should not miss out on a game of two-up at the Musicians Club held on Friday and Saturday nights. The Barrier Social Democratic Club holds a disco night on Saturday night in which the young people from the town come out to play.
Sleep
Mulberry Vale - Outback Cabins within minutes of Broken Hill and its many attractions.
Just 5 km from the city centre on the Menindee Road.
They offer a range of self contained accommodation sleeping up to 5 guests with everything supplied.
The relaxed friendly atmosphere & views over the outback with its magnificent sunsets makes it the perfect bush retreat.
Mulberry vale also caters for a number of functions in the rustic atmosphere of the Gallery.
Conferences - Wedding Parties - Schools, Clubs and other groups. Bookings & Reservations Phone Pam: 08 8088 1597 - 0428 858 374
Get out
The Opal Mining town of White Cliffs is an interesting spot to visit or for prospecting.