Broken Hill, also known as 'The Silver City', is the largest centre in Outback New South Wales. Located 1160 km from Sydney the city came into existence in 1885 after Charles Rasp had recognised the mineral potential of the area two years earlier. Today the city sits on one of the world's largest known silver-lead-zinc lodes; a deposit which is 7 km long and over 220 metres wide.
The city is large and prosperous. Over the years it has become the state's premier desert centre known for its outstanding Outback artists, its rich indigenous culture, its unusual Living Desert Reserve with its fascinating international sculptures, and its easy access to a rich diversity of desert landscapes.
No visit to Broken Hill is complete without spending time in the city's excellent art galleries, walking down the main street and admiring the old hotels (one of which featured in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and gracious public buildings, visiting the Thankakali Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centre, travelling out to the semi-ghost town of Silverton (where so many Australian films are shot) and going on a conducted tour of the town's great mining complex and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The River Run - While not located on the Darling River, The Silver City is known as the Capital of Outback NSW and as such anyone doing the Darling River Run should also visit Broken Hill. The closest town on the Darling River is Menindee and is a get spot to explore upstream or downstream.
Side Trips - Ideally located and well serviced, Broken Hill offers the traveller a great base to explore the town and discover the Outback at its doorstep. Visit Broken Hill and experience some wonderful Darling River Run side trips:
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia is a not-for-profit charitable Service providing aeromedical emergency and primary health care services together with communication and education assistance to people who live, work and travel in regional and remote Australia.
The Outback NSW Tourism Organisation is a proud supporter of the RFDS and the work they do to provided essential support to out Outback areas.
Staying with the Outback Beds network allows you to experience working sheep and cattle stations, bush pubs, log cabins, living underground, Bed and Breakfasts, a little luxury and tranquil river campsites.... even camel campouts. It's a true-blue outback adventure.
Gary and Liz Murray from Trilby Station, a 200,000 acres sheep and cattle property on the banks of the Darling River in Outback NSW, invite visitors from around the world to come and taste their unique lifestyle. Trilby Station offers accommodation in the renovated Stockman’s Cottages & Shearer’s Bunkhouse. There’s also powered caravan sites with amenities and secluded Darling River camp spots. Guests can self cater or enjoy a range of delicious Australian country-style meals such as Liz’s farmyard breakfasts, stockman’s lunches and two or three course dinners served to your accommodation.
Turlee Station is a working sheep and wheat station located adjacent to Mungo National Park in outback NSW. Situated within the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area, Turlee is a great place to experience outback station culture whilst exploring the national park. Accommodation options include camping, shearer’s quarters as well as a self contained cottage. Tag-along tours, sheep shearing and sheep dog working demonstrations as well as a self guided drive tour are all available at Turlee. We pride ourselves in our one-on-one interaction with guests and aim to provide our guests with a memorable experience of outback Australia!
The vibrant yet subtle colours and magical light of this landscape at Broken Hill have brought film-makers and artists here to capture its special quality. It packs a powerful emotional punch, this dark red soil contrasting with clear blue skies where the wedge-tailed eagle soars, appealing to something deep in our human souls. There’s definitely a spiritual element in this country, as the Aboriginal ancestors knew. And at sunset, when the wide horizon glows red and orange, we are each lost for words.
Silver City Tours philosophy of sit back, relax and enjoy best sums up the most compelling reason for booking an organised tour. Whether it is half day excursion or a six day adventure tour, comfort, safety and style play an important part in your overall enjoyment and experience. That's why our patrons travel exclusively in fully maintained luxury air-conditioned coaches and are accommodated in a wide variety of Outback styles especially selected to ensure maximum satisfaction.
There is a very special magic about Silverton. It must be the most thriving and healthy looking ghost town in the world. Here is a true Outback experience and you can return to the comfort of Broken Hill feeling no pain or hardship at all. Tourists can experience a real ghost town and consequently there are a number of shops, art galleries, museums and pubs which have grown up to meet their needs. Its location and its proximity to all the creature comforts of Broken Hill have ensured that it is popular with any film crew needing to shoot some desert and Outback scenes.
For 16 years Tri State Safaris have been taking their clients to some of Australia’s most remarkable and remote locations. With a focus on nature based touring, they have an enviable reputation for their knowledge and expertise in the outback. With destinations from Broken Hill to Broome, and the Simpson Desert in between, there’s bound to be a bit of adventure in every tour. Imagine standing where no other person has ever stood before, breathing in a cool desert sunrise, a dingo howling, glowing embers of a campfire, starlit skies. “Remember when a holiday was a real adventure” that’s our philosophy.
