Broken Hill

Also known as Broken Hill, New South Wales, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

town in New South Wales, Australia

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Place details

Locality: Broken Hill
Region: New South Wales
Country: Australia
Population: 17,456

Travel guide

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.

~40 min read

Article

Patton Street, the main commercial district of an area sometimes referred to as 'South Broken Hill'

Broken Hill is a city in the far west region of outback New South Wales, Australia. An inland mining city, it is near the border with South Australia on the crossing of the Barrier Highway (A32) and the Silver City Highway (B79), in the Barrier Range. It is 315 m (1,033 ft) above sea level, with a cold semi-arid climate, and an average rainfall of 265 mm (10.4 in). The closest major city is Mildura, 300 km (190 mi) to the south and the nearest state capital city is Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, which is more than 500 km (310 mi) to the southwest and linked via route A32, the Barrier Highway.