Broken Hill, known as 'The Silver City', is the largest centre in Outback New South Wales and is often referred to as its “Jewel". Located 1,160 km from Sydney, the city came into existence in 1885 after Charles Rasp had recognized 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 wonderful Living Desert Reserve including the international stone sculptures (Sculpture Symposium), and its easy access to a rich diversity of desert landscapes.

No outback journey could be complete without including Broken Hill; it is perfectly located for a stopover while exploring other parts of outback Australia or as destination itself. Broken hill is one of those versatile Australian travel destinations.

Within Broken Hill itself, there is no shortage of attractions and activities for the visitor whether just stopping over or staying a few days (which is always the best option). A Broken Hill experience can include spending time in some of 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. The list is of things to do in Broken Hill is almost endless.

Broken Hill also provides the perfect base for exploring the area – be it the attractions just out of town or further afield into the great Australian outback.

Close to town are attraction like the Sculpture Symposium, Silverton and Mundi Muni Plains. Slightly further away there are two amazing National Parks (Mutawintji and Kinchega), the mighty Darling River (and the “The Darling River Run”) and the Opal town of White Cliffs. Even further afield; to the north is the area known as the Corner Country (Tibooburra, Milparinka, and Cameron Corner) with the vast Sturt National Park, while to the south is Lake Mungo (Mungo National Park) and further south (along the Darling River) is Wentworth where the mighty Darling meets the Murray River.

The Sculpture Sympsium:

Opened in 1993, the Sculpture Symposium was created by Lawrence Beck and included 12 international sculptures to each work on a monolith of Wilcannia sandstone (each weighing up to 8 tonnes). The project was a dedication to the late Fred Hollows and the stones are formed in such a way as to flow from the pinnacle of Sundown Hill north eastwards to Bourke were Fred Hollows is buried.

The icon sculptures, located upon Sundown Hill (about 5km from Broken Hill) are an amazing and moving sight at anytime of the day… and particularly moving as at sunset.

Silverton:

Located only 24 km from Broken Hill it has become a popular destination for both tourists and film crews and is considered to 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.

The tourists come to 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 (drive a few kilometres out of town to 'The Breakers' and marvel at the desert which stretches to the horizon) 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.

When you visit make sure you have a drink in the historic pub, visit the Silverton Pioneer Museum, stop off at the Gaol and Court House and inspect some of the local galleries.