13 Unique Things to Do in Broken Hill

At first glance, this outback town might seem as bare as the desert that surrounds it. But it doesn’t take much digging to find the rich underside of this spirited community.

Famous for its stark outback beauty, rich mining history, and vivacious art scene, Broken Hill is a one-of-a-kind Aussie destination.

Not only has it – and the nearby town of Silverton – played the starring role in many Australian screen dramas – but it also has a fascinating story of its own. From memorials to its founding residents to wild dances in the surrounding desert, here’s what to add to your list when you get to Broken Hill.

1. Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

Killer sunsets are a given in the outback. (Image: Matt Smith)

Get ready to party with the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash, out near the Mundi Mundi Lookout near Silverton. A dance festival that is family and dog-friendly, the ‘Bash’ celebrates Australian live music over three days in winter.

Kick up some red dirt all day with your dancing, before retiring back to your caravan or tent: only to do it all again the next day.

2. The Palace Hotel

The Palace Hotel was erected as a coffee palace in 1889. (Image: Destination NSW)

Did you know that this now famous drinking hole began as a strictly ‘no grog’ temperance coffeehouse? Today, the Palace Hotel is more famous for its appearance in the iconic Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. The Broken Hill pub is a stop on the Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour, but if you can’t make the tour, it’s still worth ducking in to see its gorgeous kitsch Aussie landscape murals. Enjoy the air con when the midday heat is ramping up, or come here for dinner.

3. Mad Max 2 Museum

The museum is located just 20 minutes from Broken Hill. (Image: Destination NSW)

In the nearby town of Silverton, around 20 minutes from Broken Hill, is another must-see for lovers of the silver screen: The Mad Max 2 Museum. This privately owned space will astound even those who haven’t seen the wildly successful movie series, with a vast collection of costumes, photos, memorabilia and even original vehicles from Mad Max 2, which was filmed in the area.

4. The Living Desert and Sculptures

The park is at its best during dusk and dawn. (Image: Destination NSW)

Thirty years ago, 53 tonnes of sandstone were shipped to the Living Desert State Park, on a hilltop 12 kilometres outside of the town. Why? In order to be transformed into statues, of course. Pay $6 to gain entry to the park, and walk among the rock sculptures in the natural beauty of their surroundings. Best to do it at sunrise or sunset if you can – both for keeping out of the heat and for those golden hour photoshoots. You can also camp here if you’re so inclined.

5. Line of Lode Miners Memorial

Line of Lode Miners Memorial in Broken Hill

The memorial commemorates lives lost in Broken Hill’s mining industry since 1883. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another beautiful, and thought-provoking site to visit in Broken Hill is the Line of Lode Miners Memorial lookout. Created in memory of the 800 workers who have died over the history of this mining town, its rusty-red steel body is located upon an enormous hill made of mining waste. Spend a while here, reading the names of the men that are carved up here, and looking at the surroundings. Another one where the best time to come here is at dawn or dusk.

6. Day Dream Mine

Witness a miner’s working life at Day Dream Mine. (Image: Destination NSW)

While it has a pretty name, working at Day Dream Mine was at times closer to a nightmare for those that came here, over the course of its life as a working mine. Today, you can experience for yourselves what it must have been like to be an outback miner, with an under and overground tour here.

7. Menindee Lakes

The Lakes are situated along the Darling River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Need some fresh air after being underground? Head for the Menindee Lakes, the ephemeral lakes along the Darling River. Canoe and swim here, or you can even try your hand at catching Murray cod. It’s 75 minutes from the township, so make a day trip off it or opt to camp overnight.

8. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery in Broken Hill

The gallery runs on a pay-by-donation basis. (Image: Destination NSW)

Hungry for more art? The Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery is the oldest regional gallery in the state and has been running for almost 120 years. With a mix of locally curated exhibitions, as well as visiting artworks from urban centres, this pay-by-donation gallery houses works by Pro Hart, Norman Lindsay and Frederick McCubbin.

9. Pro Hart Art Gallery

Pro Hart even houses works by Monet. (Image: Destination NSW)

Considered by some to be the ‘father’ of modern Australian outback painting, Pro Hart was born in Broken Hill and grew up on a local sheep farm. His paintings and works – often with witty and colourful narratives – can be admired today at the Pro Hart Art Gallery in Broken Hill. This eclectic gallery also houses works from Albert Tucker, Artur Boyd and even Monet!

10. Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience, Broken Hill

Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill

The RFDS was founded in 1928 to deliver regional healthcare. (Image: Destination NSW)

Founded in 1928 to deliver healthcare in regions where families might have enormous distances to travel to get to the nearest emergency, the Royal Flying Doctors now provides 24-hour emergency services. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience (which is actually located in a real RFDS base, a few minutes out of town), and get a feel for its history with an immersive audio-visual installation that takes you back to the fifties, as well as visiting the hangar, and take a peek in at live operations.

11. Silverton Outback Camels

You can even book an overnight stay at the camel farm. (Image: Destination NSW)

From travelling by plane to embarking on the ships of the desert, Silverton Outback Camels will see you checking out the surrounding landscape from the back of a camel. Book onto one of their sunset tours, or prolong the experience with your new-found hairy friend, with an overnight stay at their camel farm, 20 minutes from Broken Hill, where children will be rapturous to meet donkeys, emus, and even alpacas.

12. Broken Hill Distillery

The Distillery is known for its uniquely Australian flavours.

Try a tipple with the flavours of the desert at the Broken Hill Distillery. Operating a cellar door with tours, and an outdoor area to relax in afterwards, the distillery is best known for having out-of-the-ordinary and uniquely Australian flavours. Think redgum honey and quandong gin, or its rosemary, mint and wattleseed brew – the perfect gift to take back with you after a long lunch.

13. Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour

Explore Broken Hill’s streetscape on a walking tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start with a tour of the outback town to get your bearings. The two-hour Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour is volunteer run (you pay by donation) and takes in some of Broken Hill’s most important buildings; like the red-brick Post Office and the Palace Hotel. Tours run from 10am to 12pm. Please note: this is temporarily closed.

Have you booked your stay in Broken Hill yet? Check out our accommodation guide in Broken Hill.

Sinking a cold one on a hot afternoon hits differently in the outback – particularly at these Broken Hill pubs and clubs.

If you’ve been in Australia for anything over 24 hours, chances are you’ve seen quite the range of pubs in your time in the Antipodes. But when it comes to the Broken Hill region, the vibrant pubs here are considered so iconically Aussie, Hollywood types have travelled across the globe… just to get a few shots for their movie.

And as good as a frosty beer tastes on a hot afternoon in this dusty mining town in far western NSW, we’re thinking they didn’t just come in for a schooner when it comes to the below Broken Hill pubs and clubs.

Whether you’re after a drink, a succulent surf ‘n turf, or simply a night out making the karaoke rounds, Broken Hill has the establishment for you.

1. Palace Hotel Broken Hill

Take in the street views from the deck of the Palace Hotel.

Most famous for its appearance in the celebrated Australian film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Palace Hotel actually began as a house of temperance, serving up coffee instead of shots.

Go beyond the fabulously kitsch Aussie landscape murals that bedeck its foyer and head inside its restaurant for bar food – and on Wednesdays – a raucous karaoke night. Accommodation is available here too.

Address: 227 Argent St, Broken Hill, NSW

2. Silverton Hotel

The hotel has been the set of many movies. (Image: Destination NSW)

A pub so quintessentially ‘Aussie outback’, you may recognise it off the bat from its appearances on the silver screen.

The disturbing Wake in Fright (1971), Mad Max 2 (1981), Razorback (1984) and Mission Impossible 2 (2000) all filmed scenes here.

Drop by for a cold drink, a gander at all the memorabilia on the wall, and a surprisingly affordable (and wide) range of pub meals for such a remote tourist hot spot.

Address: 12 Layard St, Silverton, NSW

3. Musicians Club Broken Hill

With a history that dates back to 1919, when four musical mates wanted a location where they could jam together with others, the Musicians Club Broken Hill has grown to become the largest club in Broken Hill. A friendly spot with a bistro that serves lunch and dinner, the ‘Musicians’ has all the classic staples of a country club. Stop here for the rotation of live music, to chat with the locals or to try your hand at the meat raffle (a real win for the camp barbecue).

Address: 276 Crystal St, Broken Hill, NSW

4. The Astra Broken Hill

Sit outside to enjoy your drink. (Image: Broken Hill City Council)

While Astra’s history goes all the way back to the 1890s, this Broken Hill pub has retained its historical features over the passage of time… as well as adding a wine and dessert bar. If you were inclined to skip a day of Broken Hill sightseeing, you could spend a good part of the day here. At breakfast, there is its Soull Cafe & Espresso Bar. In the evening? You’ve got the option of Trinders a la carte menu Temptations Dessert Bar, Pizzeria & Pasta and Lush: an al fresco cocktail bar on the upstairs balcony.

Address: 393 Argent St, Broken Hill, NSW

5. Tydvil Hotel Broken Hill

Want to try out some local tipples? This historical country pub is also home to the Broken Hill Distillery. Best known for having out-of-the-ordinary and uniquely Australian flavours, the creative choices include redgum honey and quandong gin as well as rosemary, mint and wattleseed. Try out some of these tasty samples, and soak it up afterwards with a hearty plate of chicken parmi.

Address: 318 Oxide St, Broken Hill, NSW

13 unique things to do in Broken Hill