In Broken Hill you will experience the real authentic Outback Australia in all its glory, surrounded by a stunning, sometimes harsh, beautifully stark and often surprising richly coloured landscape. This is a particular type of destination with its own unique appeal, but those who like it love its special qualities and as such it continues to attract tourists of all kinds from around the world including moviemakers, artists and photographers.

The town has been called many names, and not all of them publishable owing to its unforgiving nature and true isolation! However, there are many that are positive, including Silver City - due to its massive silver deposits and its continuing mining industry, the Oasis of the West - because despite being surrounded by semi-desert, the town still manages colourful park and garden displays and the Capital of the Outback - it being (relatively) large but accessible and right on the edge of Australia’s central arid region.

Like many outback towns, Broken Hill was built on precious metals, having once had the world's richest deposits of lead, zinc and silver. Although now depleted somewhat, mining still yields around two million tonnes annually. Mine tours are available, and simply viewing the dirt mullock heaps that surround the town is a reminder of the prevalence of this industry. Sheep farming is now one of the principal industries and there are considerably more sheep than people — almost two million Merinos!

Due to its exposure to the vagaries of the mining industry, and compounded by its isolation, Broken Hill encourages its widespread artistic credentials in order to actively promote tourism. As well they should considering that talent, both present and past, that resides there! The town was founder to the 'Brushmen of the Bush', a celebrated group of prominent Australian artists including Pro Hart, Jack Absalom, Hugh Schulz, Eric Minchin and John Pickup, who took paintings of outback Australia to the world. There are many galleries around Broken Hill (and the world) that showcase their talents.

So there you have it: Broken Hill, where mining, desert and culture meet. Who'da thunk it?!