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.

In short

Broken Hill isn’t somewhere you drive to do just one thing. But if you had to pick, time your trip for the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash – three days of Australian live music, big skies, and dancing on the red dirt out near the Mundi Mundi Lookout.

The Palace Hotel

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 Desert. 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.

Address: 227 Argent St, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Mad Max 2 Museum

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. Check ahead for seasonal closures.

Address: 9 Stirling St, Silverton NSW 2880

Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash

Mundi Mundi Bash in Broken Hill — The famed outback festival takes place on the Mundi Mundi Plains. (Credit: Matt Williams / Mundi Mundi Bash)

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.

Address: S Broken Hill, Silverton NSW 2880

The Living Desert and Sculptures

Over 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 from $7 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 next door at the Starview Primitive Campsite.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Line of Lode Miners Memorial

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.

Address: Federation Way, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Day Dream Mine

While it has a pretty name, working at Day Dream Mine was, at times, closer to a nightmare for those who 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. Opening times are limited, so make sure to book ahead.

Address: 20 Klms along Turn right go 12.8 klms Silverton Road, Silverton NSW 2880

Menindee Lakes

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 out of it or opt to camp overnight.

Address: Woolshed Drive, Menindee NSW 2879

Pro Hart Art Gallery

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!

Address: 108 Wyman St, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

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

Address: 404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill, NSW 2880

Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience, Broken Hill

Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill — The RFDS was granted the “Royal" prefix during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the base in 1954. (Credit: 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 in time, as well as visiting the hangar.

Address: Pro Hart Way, Broken Hill NSW 2880

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Silverton Outback Camels

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 newfound 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.

Address: Silverton Outback Camels

Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum

Railway enthusiasts might be keen to steam into this museum, but the $12 ticket buys far more than a clamber through carriages. Yes, you can climb aboard historic trains – some of which once hauled Broken Hill’s silver, lead and zinc to ports bound for the wider world, but the complex also includes the Broken Hill Migrant Museum, the Hospital Museum, the Ron Carter Transport Pavilion, an old-time Fun Fair, and the Tess Alfonsi Mineral Collection.

Address: 230 Blende St, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Broken Hill Distillery

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 Saltbush brew – the perfect gift to take back with you after a tour and tasting.

Address: 318 Oxide St, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Broken Hill Heritage Walk Tour

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 and you can contact the Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre to secure a spot ahead of time.

Outback Astronomy

An award-winning operation that pulls out front-row seats to the desert skies. Guides blend science, storytelling and Indigenous interpretations as they point out constellations, planets and the blazing Milky Way, while you settle onto a bench seat below or – if you want the superstar treatment – upgrade to a reclined chair, sleeping bag and hot drink.

Address: 18817 Barrier Hwy, Broken Hill NSW 2880

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.