Broken Hill

Understand

thumb|300px|Broken Hill streets are often named after elements of the periodic table Broken Hill and Silverton operate on Australian Central Standard Time (ACST). All other towns in the region operate on Australian Eastern Standard time (AEST). Despite being in New South Wales, it has much closer ties to South Australia, and is geographically closer to Adelaide than to Sydney. When Australia adopted standard time in 1895, Broken Hill's only direct rail link was with South Australia; it was not linked by rail to Sydney until the late 1920s. Broken Hill is regarded as part of South Australia for postal parcel rates and telephone charges, and most advertising offers directed to South Australian residents specifically include Broken Hill (and by extension Silverton).

Get 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.

Avis and Thrifty rental car offices are located in Argent St. in the town centre. The Hertz office is in the Visitor Centre building.

See

thumb|none|800px|Miner's memorial and the cafe (on the right).

Do

Broken Hill is a major base for the Royal Flying Doctors Service and for the School of the Air. Expensive but fun! Silverton Self-Guided Heritage Walk. A self-guided heritage walk showcasing the remaining iconic historic buildings.

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. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery Jack Absalom's Gallery

Drink

Surprisingly for a town with such a small population, Broken Hill has a burgeoning nightlife. Many clubs exist and are open most nights of the week until late. Establishments catering to both locals and tourists include the Musician's Club and the Democratic Club. Try a spider at Bell's milk bar.

Sleep

There are no upscale chains in Broken Hill. Best to seek out one of the renovated historic hotels.

Go next

Obtain a key from the Information Centre to see the Sculpture Symposium about 6 km from the city. The key allows car access to the sculpture site. Alternatively drive to the car park and walk 2 km to the site. A $10 park access charge is levied, payable at an honesty box near the site.

The historic boomtown of Silverton which has been the setting of several movies. Even though it 'poses' as a ghost town nowadays, it does in fact maintain a tiny population, having a camel farm. You can explore at will the ruined church and the Silverton Tramway, a now abandoned trainline which runs into South Australia.

The opal mining town of White Cliffs is an interesting spot to visit or for prospecting.

Stephens Creek Reservoir is an artificial dam 17 km north east of Broken Hill.

When full of water, the Menindee Lakes make a spectacular and surreal sight in the otherwise arid landscape. A drive through the river red gum forest in the adjacent Kinchega National Park is also worthwhile. Several quarries are worth exploring and the Mundi-Mundi plains too, perfect for a romantic sunset.

Drive further to and through Mungo National Park to discover some old human history.

Head north on the Silver City Highway to Tibooburra and the remote Sturt National Park.

Head down to World Heritage-listed Mungo National Park.