About

ABOUT
ilovebrokenhill.com , was first published on 8 December 2011 by Jane Deany. My blog is all about the famous outback Australian National Heritage Listed City named Broken Hill, located in the state of New South Wales. I first visited #BrokenHill in 2002 and have returned many times since then. ilovebrokenhill.com will help you discover what's great about this historic mining city, where in the mid 1880's the line of lode, a rich ore body of silver, lead and zinc was found. You will find stories about anything related to Broken Hill.

Thursday 28 February 2013

Tourist season in Broken Hill kicks off on March 1st

Broken Hill's tourist season really gets going tomorrow on 1st March with the beginning of autumn. The main reason is the weather is not as hot as it is in summer, nor is it as cold as it can be in winter when inland cities can be surprisingly chilly.

The St Patrick's Races are being run on Saturday 16th March, with related events being held in the week before the race and a recovery day the next day at nearby Silverton on Sunday the 17th March (the actual St Patrick's day).


The Grand Guest House (centre) and Post Office (right),
town square (left) and part of Line of Lode (in background)
With the extra buzz of St Patrick's day racing festivities really setting the city alight, not to mention all the usual wonderful sights to see in Broken Hill, there is no better time to visit the city than now.

So if you have been thinking of visiting the city of Broken Hill, why not take a few days off and come and visit this wonderful city in the next few months. If you are lucky there may still be some accommodation left in mid March on the St Pat's Races weekend, which is the absolute peak of the tourist season in Broken Hill.

I say 'a few days' because, I have been reliably informed by Mandy Nelson who warmly hosts the very popular, central and comfortable Grand Guest House in Argent Street, (where I've stayed many times before), that most visitors to Broken Hill book one night in the city as they do not realise just how much there is to see and do in Broken Hill. Other tourist operators say the same. (I hope my site helps visitors to be prepared and plan for a longer stay).

A couple of other special events that are on now in Broken Hill (which I have recently written about) are the "Frock Stars" exhibition at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum, see my story here (and here with the follow up photos), and the joint art exhibitions (four individual exhibitions) which are on at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery at the moment, see my story about that here.

And to remind you of some of the other must see things to do whilst in the city, I have listed them below -

Sculptures at Living Desert Sculpture Park

    The list just goes on and on. There are countless things to do and a wide variety of places to dine and don't forget to check out some of the galleries - see list of some 24 galleries at the bottom of the page (scroll down), yes for a city of under 20,000 people, there are a lot of galleries and as I have said before, they are well worth visiting.

    Cheers, Jane D

    Tuesday 26 February 2013

    www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au website's been updated

    Head frame
    Broken Hill's visitor information website was recently updated. The new site went live just before Christmas 2012.  I featured a story about it around the time, see link here.

    New features have been gradually added/updated.  In particular the Business Directory (under 'Accommodation & Tours' heading) recently went live, so it's a great time to visit this website and find out about many of Broken Hill's best businesses.

    www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au is the web address.

    Check it out, cheers, Jane D

    Monday 18 February 2013

    Broken Hill kangaroos

    kangaroos
    Broken Hill is a city however, you might be surprised to find some kangaroos in town  which is what happened to me the other day.

    I was driving along a street on the edge of the city and there were a couple of kangaroos enjoying some grass on a local's nature-strip. Naturally I had to stop and take a photo.

    One thing to remember about kangaroos however is that they have no road sense at all, which is why you will often see dead kangaroos on the side of country roads.

    Just after I took the photo, the smaller of the two kangaroos decided to hop off, across the road, and right in front of a car. It flew up over the SUV's (four wheel drive's) bull-bar and hood/bonnet, then luckily jumped away, seemingly unhurt.

    It is a reminder however, that it makes sense to be careful around wildlife as native animals can be very unpredictable.

    It's not the first time I've seen kangaroo's hopping around the outskirts of town so you never know what might be around the corner in country Broken Hill.

    Cheers, Jane D

    Thursday 14 February 2013

    Happy Valentine's Day Broken Hill

    I am loving the view from on top of the
    Line of Lode, in front of the big seat,
    Miner's Memorial behind me and part of
    Broken Earth Complex far left

    Happy Valentine's Day to everyone in Broken Hill.


    Love from www.ilovebrokenhill.com


    (cheers, Jane D)

    Monday 11 February 2013

    Broken Hill Line of Lode views

    horizon view at sunrise Miner's Memorial and
    Broken Earth Complex to the right of picture
    I have just returned from 2 weeks in Broken Hill and it was a very busy but fun time.

    Something I always love to see is the fantastic skyline view afforded by the Line of Lode with the modern adornments of the Miner's Memorial and the Broken Earth Complex

    Here are some of the different angles I have taken of that famous view. It's great at sunset, sunrise, in all different lights and angles and in fact anytime at all, well in my view anyway;-)

    Enjoy the view.


    Miner's Memorial left and Broken Earth Complex right
    on top of the Line of Lode, day time view
    afternoon view


    after sunset


    just after sunrise
    I am admiring the view from on top of the
    Line of Lode, in front of the big seat,
    Miner's Memorial behind me and part of
    Broken Earth Complex far left





    another afternoon view

    For a little more information on the Line of Lode, Miner's Memorial and Broken Earth Complex see previous post here.


    As you can probably tell ... 


                          I just love that view!



    Cheers Jane D

    Friday 8 February 2013

    Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery to open multiple exhibitions tonight

    Bob Groves WAS President with Sam Byrne painting
    'Cecilia Resists Arrest, Unusual Transport of Broken Hill'
    Art Scene
    The Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery will again play host to another impressive joint exhibition which opens later today at 6.30pm at the gallery at (all welcome) - 

    404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill NSW 2880

    Hours 10-5 M-F and 10-4 S/S

    Entry by gold coin donation

    Yesterday I took a sneak preview with the President of the Willyama Art Society (WAS) President Bob Groves who will open the WAS's 52nd annual art exhibition on Friday night. The exhibition features a range of paintings and drawings created by the group's talented members. I was impressed with the works and felt quite tempted to buy a few of them myself.

    Two other exhibitions are opening on the night. Hyperclay: Contemporary Australian Ceramics, An Object: Australian Design Centre (touring) Exhibition, will be opened by the Gallery Manager Cathy Farry. The elaborate Hyperclay exhibition profiles eight artists at various stages in their careers whose current practice is taking ceramics into bold new territories.

    Hyperclay features the work of Walter Auer, Roderick Bamford, Stephen Bird, Jacqueline Clayton, Andrea Hylands, Addison Marshall, Pip McManus and Paul Wood. This exhibition was still being installed whilst I was there so I didn't get to see it in it's entirety as it is a very intricately created exhibition. A collection of over 30 short videos have been produced to accompany the exhibition, ranging from artists interviews to curators, academics, collectors and gallerists, commenting on why they find a particular artist so exciting, through to ceramic students expressing what inspires them about the work in the show.

    Local high profile artist Sam Byrne's (now deceased) work will be show-cased in a 'Works from the collection - the Art of Sam Byrne' exhibition.

    The other exhibition 'Changing Lives' will be opened by well known local artist Badger Bates.

    Each exhibition runs from 8 February to 24 March (except the 'Changing Lives' exhibition which will finish on 17 March.

    Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

    Thursday 7 February 2013

    Broken Hill Synagogue

    Broken Hill Synagogue
    Broken Hill has a Synagogue and here is a picture of it. It is not operational however it is open Wednesday's between 10am - 4pm. It is known as the Synagogue of the Outback Museum (Heritage Listed). I took this photo on my recent trip to the City. The Synagogue is in Wolfram Street between Sulphide Street and Bromide Street.

    For more information see this link to the Jewish Australia website.

    Cheers, Jane D

    Monday 4 February 2013

    Broken Hill's Royal Flying Doctor Service a unique visitor experience

    The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Broken Hill plays a very important part in the life of any outback community and surrounding region, such as Broken Hill and New South Wales Far West Corner.


    RFDS South Easter Section corporate headquarters at Broken Hill, image from their website

    Numerous Broken Hill locals and groups support the Broken Hill (and Australian) RFDS financially in some way as the RFDS plays a vital role in the care of sick and injured people in remote areas.

    If you would like to financially support the RFDS you can donate via a link from their website www.flyingdoctor.org.au .

    Broken Hill is the corporate headquarters for the South Eastern Section of the RFDS. It is the only headquarters in Australia where visitors can see a working RFDS in action, every day of the week.

    Guided tours are available which describe the full extent of the RFDS's aeromedical services. Visitors can view the communications room and, via a viewing platform, they can see the medically outfitted aircraft and the hangar.

    The Bruce Langford Visitor Centre is at the corporate headquarters of the RFDS located at the Broken Hill Airport in South Broken Hill and is open daily. Visitors are welcome to browse through the Centre and watch a film about RFDS operations at Broken Hill.

    Royal Flying Doctor Service merchandise is available for purchase at the souvenir shop (or from the RFDS online shop). All proceeds from sales and admissions go directly towards the vital work of the RFDS.

    Open     Daily 9 am-5 pm M-F, S-S and public holidays 10 am-3 pm
                  Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday

    Cost      Adults $7, children 6 and over $3.70, family $16.50, concession $5.90
    RFDS logo from their website
                  groups 10 or more $5.90

    Contact  08 8080 3714

    It is on my list of things still to do* but I have heard it is fantastic.

    *See future post as I did visit the RFDS two days later (and in summary it really was fantastic).

    Cheers, Jane D

    Friday 1 February 2013

    Frock Stars: Inside Australian Fashion Week visits Broken Hill

    Exhibition
    Here are a few photos from the opening night of the "Frock Stars: Inside Australian Fashion Week" touring exhibition from Sydney's powerhouse museum, which opened earlier this evening at Broken Hill's Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre). See my previous post  (immediately below) for all the exhibition details.


    Glynis Jones Curator, Fashion & Dress
     Design & Society, powerhouse museum
    Don Mudie, Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum
    volunteer, admiring some of the exhibits
    John Fadden, Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum
    assistant who helped install the exhibition
    Glynis Jones and local Broken Hill artist Karrie Lannstrom

    I was delighted to be able to attend the opening night. I chatted to and spotted a number of well know locals, and met some new people also including Glynis Jones Curator, Fashion & Dress, Design & Society from powerhouse museum Sydney, who officially opened the exhibition.

    We all enjoyed some nibbles and drinks in the foyer before venturing in to the exhibition. Naturally, the food and drinks had to be kept separate from the exhibits. It was a really fascinating exhibition with so much to see. It is well worth a visit. I think I need to go back to see it thoroughly. Luckily the exhibition runs until 17 June 2013.


    Once again, Broken Hill has succeeded in obtaining an excellent exhibition.

    Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

    Fashion Frock Stars in Broken Hill from Sydney Powerhouse Museum

    Exhibition
    'Frock Stars' Inside Australian Fashion Week exhibition opens tonight at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre).  The show is a travelling exhibition from the powerhouse museum Sydney (powerhouse museum) and has been described as "an exciting and immersive insight into the history and highlights of this major event" (Australian Fashion Week).


    courtesy powerhouse museum website Stefan Gosatti / Getty Images Entertainment


    some of the 'Frock Stars' exhibits

    powerhouse museum collaborated with IMG Fashion to create the exhibition which takes you behind the scenes of Australia's most prestigious annual fashion event Australian Fashion Week. The exhibition includes garments from key designers such as Zimmermann, Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnigan and Ksubi.

    For more details see link here to the Media Release from Broken Hill City Council's website. 

    Opening night photos to come shortly after the event tonight.  The exhibition's curator Glynis Jones from powerhouse museum will officially open the show later today.

    Julia Carroll  the project manager for the travelling exhibition installation was quoted in the 'Barrier Daily Truth' today as saying "it (the exhibition) has broad appeal".

    'Frock Stars' is supported by Visions of Australia and Contemporary Touring Initiative, an Australian Government program which supports touring exhibitions through funding assistance to enable touring of cultural material across Australia.

    The exhibition details are as follows -

    Dates/time:         1 February - 17 June 2013 (opening night 1 February at 6.30 pm all welcome)
                               Monday - Friday 10 am - 4.45 pm, Saturday/Sunday 1-4.45 pm

    Venue:                Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre)
                               2 Bromide Street, corner Crystal Street, Broken Hill
    more of the 'Frock Stars' exhibits including
    Iced VoVo dress (centre) by Romance Was Born
    and Ice Blue knot dress pleated dress by Dion Lee

    Contact:             (08) 8080 3500
                               geocentre@brokenhill.nsw.gov.au

    Entry:                  Entry fee for the GeoCentre is $5 for adults.


    The GeoCentre also houses a famous 42kg silver nugget and an equally famous Silver Tree as well as many other interesting exhibits.

    The GeoCentre is well worth a visit in its own right.

    Cheers, Jane D