Day #4 Adventures in "Silver City"

Two Wells to Broken Hill
Overnight the train departs the Barossa valley and passes into New South Wales, stopping at the Broken Hill station

 Broken Hill

Broken Hill is a historic mining town located in the remote outback of Australia. It’s renowned for its rich heritage tied to silver, lead, and zinc mining, which has earned it the nickname "Silver City." This rugged, resilient town is surrounded by vast red desert plains and striking landscapes that offer a classic outback experience. Established in the late 19th century, Broken Hill boasts grand heritage buildings, art galleries, and a vibrant mining history that continues to shape the town’s character today. It is home to Australia’s oldest mining company, BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary Company), which began there in 1885. The town is also known for its creative spirit, with many artists inspired by the stark beauty of the outback scenery, including dramatic rock formations and sweeping desert views. The Living Desert Reserve, with its sandstone sculptures  add to its charm, making Broken Hill a unique blend of industrial legacy and cultural richness.


Heritage Tour of Silver City

The Indian Pacific pulls into Broken Hill in the morning. Following an on-board breakfasts, guests are treated to a heritage tour of the town.  The video to the left captures the highlights of this tour, while photos of the individual buildings highlighted may be accessed in the photo gallery below. (Click to enlarge photos) After the tour, guests re-board the Indian Pacific for a lunch as the train travels to our final destination, the Blue Mountains.


Heritage Walk Photo Gallery
(Click on Photo to Enlarge)



Kintore Headframe
 Pro Hart Ant Sculpture
 Syndicate of Seven Busts
Syndicate of Seven Placard Trades Hall Sulfide Street Railway Station
Broken Hill Post Office Old Town Hall Facade Old Central Police Station

BH Technical College & Museum Broken Hill Courthouse War Memorial

The Palace Hotel
There is one landmark building, mentioned at the very end of the video above, that deserves special mention--The Palace Hotel. Dating from the late 1800's the hotel gained its flamboyant murals courtesy of an Italian immigrant who bought the hotel in the 1970's.  This new decor served as one of the backdrops for the 1994 movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The hotel hosts a drag show once a week, and Broken Hill sponsors the "Broken Heel"drag festival every year. To the left is a brief video explaining the history of the Palace Hotel in great detail, while below that is a video about the drag performers created by Journey Beyond Rails.




The Living Desert Reserve
The Living Desert Reserve is located 9km from the city of Broken Hill. It includes an electric predator proof fence, protecting the flora and fauna. Also located within the 2,400 hectare reserve is the Sculpture Site. Begun in 1993, it recruited artist from around the world to create 12 sculptures, each with a story to tell. The video to the left explains the sculptures.