The stark beauty of the Australian outback has been used many times by the makers of film and television. Broken Hill and nearby Silverton have drawn more attention than most towns over the years.
It was during the filming of the 1994 movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, partly in Broken Hill, that this town became the unlikely setting for a drag queen road trip movie. That spurred a ‘life imitates art’ annual event; where Broken Hill becomes the home of the Broken Heel festival every September.
This three-day festival has its hub at The Palace Hotel where scenes from the movie were filmed. During the festival the anniversary of the movie is celebrated with cabaret, music, and comedy acts in outrageous over-the-top fabulous style.
From silver mines to the silver screen
Take a bouncy road trip through dips and crests for 25 kilometres and you’ll arrive in Silverton. A once busy silver mining town that today is still filled with historic buildings. Today Silverton is best known for its memorabilia-filled hotel, quirky art galleries and Hollywood movie scenes.
The Silverton Hotel has been rebranded with temporary names many times and used in Australian commercials and television series. And the Mundi Mundi Plains on the edge of Silverton were the backdrop for Mad Max 2. While you’re in Silverton, make sure to visit the Mad Max 2 Museum which pays homage to the movie and features many of the weird and wonderful props and costumes used in the Sci-fi action movie.
Pro Hart land
Pro Hart is perhaps the most famous Broken Hill resident. His sculptures and art can be found throughout the town and in his gallery which was once the garage of his home.
When you arrive at the gallery, you’ll immediately see his distinctive artwork covering one of his beloved Rolls Royce cars. Inside the building, there are three levels of the gallery to view his paintings. His works include images of life in the outback, as well as inspirations from his time working as a miner in his early life in Broken Hill.
Memorial to miners
One view that dominates the skyline wherever you drive in Broken Hill is a mountain of mine tailings which you can lay your eyes on from the Line of Lode Miners Memorial. It acts as a stark reminder of the dangers of mining, honouring more than 800 workers who have died since the early 1800s, during mining operations.
The striking architecturally designed building is accessed by a path that guides visitors past the memorial wall. Along its length, every life lost and how they met their fate in their duties. Walking out to the observation deck gives you a spectacular 180 degree view over Broken Hill.
Get the big picture
Another place to experience the great outdoors is ironically indoors at the Silver City Art Centre. Right in the heart of the city it’s a treasure trove of silver and opal jewellery. There is locally made art and crafts to buy, and it’s home to ‘The Big Picture’, a 100-metre-long landscape painting on the largest canvas in the world. The painting by local artist Peter Anderson shows landmarks within a 300-kilometre radius of Broken Hill. When you walk into the room where the painting is, it’s like walking into a desert scene with views from a timber platform. You feel completely immersed in the scene and real earth, rocks and trees in the foreground complete the illusion.
Relax in retro vibes
A lovely retro place to take a break after a busy day is at Bells Milk Bar. With its original 1950s chrome décor and old-fashioned milkshakes and soda spiders. It’s a walk back in time to life in the 50s and 60s Australia. A place where you can step into typically furnished rooms from the era.
There are many nostalgic moments as you wander through this museum. It feels like you’re walking through someone’s home that’s been frozen in time. For some of us, it’s a very déjà vu experience.
Sculptures in the desert
No visit to Broken Hill would be complete without seeing the Living Desert sculptures. Set in a reserve around 10 kilometres from Broken Hill, these 12 sculptures sit on a hilltop with an easily accessible one-kilometre looping trail.
As you walk along the trail you can read what the sculptors had in mind when they were creating each of the sculptures. As well as how the vast panoramic views influenced their results.
Staying in one of the designated campsites in the park will give you more time to discover other walking trails. And appreciate the desert sunset and star filled nights.
