subject: Broken Hill - Outback New South Wales [print this page] The city of Broken Hill is as far west of New South Wales as you can go, with Adelaide being the closest capital city being 500 kms away. In 1883 while working as a boundary rider, Charles Rasp discovered what he first thought was tin. Rather than finding tin however, the boundary rider stumbled upon what will turn into the largest mine of its kind in the world at the time for silver, lead and ore.
In 1885 the Broken Hill Proprietary Company was founded which has gone on to become the largest mining company in the world under the name of BHP Billiton. The town grew quickly with the mining boom, and by 1891 the population had risen to 21,000 people and was the third largest town in New South Wales. Although the mines have been largely depleted, there are still mines that do operate in the town and are viable when the price of metals remains high. Tour operators operate out of Broken Hill, taking tourists out to the old mines where they can explore the days gone by.
With its stunning landscapes and beautiful sunsets, artists have flocked to Broken Hill, with many artists now calling it home and galleries have opened up showcasing the local talent. One such gallery is the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery which shows exhibitions from major cultural institutions, as well as exhibitions from local artists. A must see for all tourists is a trip out to the Living Desert Reserve to witness the sculpture symposium which are 12 sandstone sculptures placed along a trail by artists from around the world. The area is also popular with film makers, with films such as Mad Max 2 and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert shot there.
There is also much to see in the surrounding area of Broken Hill. Silverton is 25kms from Broken Hill and has many historic old buildings, and for Mad Max fans has a replica car parked out the front of the pub. The town of Menindee is around 110 kms from Broken Hill and sits on the banks of the Darling River. Menindee is also surrounded by the Menindee Lakes, and the Broken Hill locals love to go there for a spot of fishing, water sports, or simply to watch the stunning sunsets over the lakes.
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