Holiday and Travel information for Broken Hill

Broken Hill, or the silver city as it is known, has been one of Australia’s greatest mining cities. It was home to the world’s largest silver, zinc and lead deposit. The city lies in the awe inspiring scenery of the Barrier Range on the border between New South Wales and South Australia. Broken Hill is part of Australia’s mining history and folklaw. It has been home to generations of miners and amazing wealth has been generated by the mines here. Today, Broken Hill gives you an introduction to the great Australian outback like no other place. It has moved with the times and although the most common buildings in the town are the pubs, it is now home to a significant and growing artists community who are drawn to its majestic outback and Australian flavoured desert scenery.

Charles Sturt named The Barrier Range when it impeded his exploration in 1844. The discovery of gold here in the 1860’s started the mineral rush in the region in the 1870’s. In 1883, Charles Rasp collected mineral samples which turned out to be rich lodes of silver and lead and after a further two years the "syndicate of seven" led by Rasp formed "The Broken Hill Company", now known as BHP and the largest mining company in the world today. By 1891 the population had risen to around 21000 and its growth sparked new discoveries which in turn let to the establishment of the town of Silverton. The Silverton Tramway (which was built by the writer’s grandfather) created a link between Silverton, Broken Hill and the South Australian border. By the early 1900’s and then right through until the early sixties, the population of Broken Hill stayed near the thirty thousand mark. BHP ceased work in the 1940’s and today there is only one mining company active in Broken Hill.

The city is now a great place to visit. It is steeped in Australia’s early mining history and heritage listed properties abound with links to the early days. Visit the Trades hall building, and the miners memorial as well as taking the Living desert Art Trail and the heritage Art Trail. There is an excellent golf course that welcomes visitors and the locals love its parks and gardens.

A trip to Broken Hill is like a journey back in time. It is a place that all Australians should visit at least once in their life.