Broken Hill, in western New South Wales, is hardly up there as a tourist destination of international renown. It’s miles from anywhere, boiling hot and lacks the more chi-chi elements that often make a destination popular – for example high-end restaurants, beautiful beaches, posh accommodation.
But Broken Hill’s reputation is growing with its recent National Heritage Listing award.
So should you go there?
We asked Broken Hill mayor and long-term resident Wincen Cuy to tell us what makes Broken Hill so great. These are the five reasons he gave us to visit (in his own words):
Perfect light
Broken Hill offers a breathtaking range of diverse landscapes to discover and explore, from lush wetlands and lakes to spectacular flat topped mesas and shimmering gibber desert plains. The vibrant colours and perfect light have drawn film-makers and artists here to capture its special quality for decades. It packs a powerful punch – this dark, red soil contrasting with clear blue skies. From the wonders of the day comes an amazing light show at night.
The locals
We are always happy to greet people from “away”. In fact we love it when people come to town to visit. We are a friendly mob, salt-of-the-earth people who make you feel welcome. And we are pretty proud of our city.
The Palace Hotel
The home of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and just a great Broken Hill iconic pub. You can star in your own movie in the centre of town. It is a world-renowned landmark and a good water hole for those nice warm days.
The living desert and sculpture symposium
Located 9km from the city, the sanctuary features 12 massive sandstone sculptures by artists from around the world as well as local artist Badger Bates. The sanctuary
displays the breathtaking beauty of the real outback. Explore along paths
which wind through a tranquil landscape of profound significance to local Indigenous culture.
Pack the golf clubs
I reckon it is one of the best desert courses in Australia. The fully-grassed 18-hole championship course is cut out of a natural waterway. The view is spectacular. The course challenging and you will even get to meet a few of the locals who know how to play the game.
