School holidays in Broken Hill 2013-2014. There's lots to see and do.

Entertainment
Broken Hill is a great place to come for the summer school holidays. It's no hotter in summer than other cities around Australia, for example Perth, Melbourne or Sydney. It is a nice dry heat too. So this is my annual post about some of the best things to do and see when visiting Broken Hill and the surrounding district.

Broken Hill mining landscape with full moon at sunrise

To begin with, a few good reasons to visit Broken Hill over the December 2013 - January 2014 school holiday period are - 

• it's not as busy as in the peak seasons of Autumn or Spring;
• as it's off-peak, there are often better prices for accommodation etc... and other special deals to be found. Just ask the tourism operator if there are any school holiday specials; and



Popular 'photogenic' sculpture at sunset

• with less tourists, photo opportunities are easier at popular tourist attractions such as the 'Living Desert Sculpture Park'. The sculptures themselves are a fantastic attraction and are set in a striking location which photographers flock to it. It's a great spot for a sunset picnic. Sunrise is spectacular too and not as busy.

Regardless of when you visit, there are lots of great things to see and do.

Some of my favourite attractions include the -

• Living Desert Sculpture Park
• Miner's Memorial
• Line of Lode
• Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum
• Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum aka GeoCentre
• The Broken Hill Musician's Club which has its own art gallery.

Art
I love the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery in Argent Street. It is housed in an historic building, Sully's Emporium, and has an excellent regional gallery collection. There is always an impressive and sometimes thought provoking exhibition on the go.

There are about 24 or so other galleries in Broken Hill and nearby Silverton. You can find a list of all of the galleries in the region at the foot of this website. Alternatively you can go to www.ilovebrokenhill.com 's sister website www.artofbrokenhill.com which also lists the galleries. www.artofbrokenhill.com will eventually contain more comprehensive information about various local galleries, art groups, artists, art organisations and possibly art events from the region.

Here is a list of some more local attractions - 

• Living Desert and Sculptures (9km North Broken Hill, off Nine Mile Road)
• Miner's Memorial and Visitors Centre (on top of the Line of Lode)
• Broken Earth Complex (on top of the Line of Lode)
• Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) - corner Crystal and Bromide Streets - 08 8080 3500
• Line of Lode (big hill {tailings/mullock heap-former ore body} in middle of Broken Hill)
• Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum - Blende Street
• Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery - 404 Argent Street - 08 8080 3440
• Galleries - see www.artofbrokenhill.com for a list of galleries or the bottom of this site
• Bell's Milk Bar and Museum - 160 Patton Street, South Broken Hill - 08 8087 5380
• Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Bruce Langford Visitor Centre - Airport end of Bonanza Street - 08 8080 3714
• School of the Air - Lane Street - 08 8087 3565
• Trades Hall (see below) - corner Blende and Sulphide Streets - 08 8087 5258

Historic Trades Hall Building

• RSL Hall of Fame - Argent Street
• Historic Day Dream Mine (20km NW Broken Hill, off Silverton Road) - 08 8088 5682
• Argent Street - main Broken Hill shopping strip which includes beautiful old buildings such as the Town Hall Facade and the famous The Palace Hotel (internal murals, 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' movie fame amongst other things. Two-up is also played there weekly)
• White's Mineral Art and Living Mining Museum - 1 Allendale Street - 08 8087 2878
• Patton Village - Patton Street, South Broken Hill
• Film Studio Precinct - Eyre Street, South Broken Hill
• Social clubs including 

• the Broken Hill Musician's Club (Muso Club) - 276 Crystal Street, includes gallery - 08 8088 1777
• The Barrier Social Democratic Club (Demo Club) - 218 Argent Street - 08 8088 4477
• The Sturt Club - 321 Blende Street - 08 8087 4541
• Club Legion - 170 Crystal Street - 08 8087 4064
• Silverton (town about 25km west of Broken Hill) - numerous sites
• Mundi Mundi plains (just beyond Silverton a few kilometres)

The list just goes on and on. There are countless things to do and a wide variety of places to stay and dine and don't forget to check out some of the galleries. For a city of under 20,000 people, there are a lot of galleries and they are well worth visiting.

Accommodation
As you can see there is a lot to do in and around Broken Hill. Perhaps you should book an extra night or two, you may need it and there is a wide variety of accommodation available.

The Broken Hill Visitor Information website lists lots of attractions, as well as many accommodation options (although not all are listed on that site) - check their website www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au . The Visitor Information Centre is located on the corner of Bromide and Blende Streets.

Line of Lode view with Miner's Memorial (left) and Broken Earth Complex (right)

Dining
There are plenty or restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs and takeaways to enjoy a delicious meal and parks to enjoy a picnic.

Swimming
There are a couple of options to cool down and go for a swim (apart from the motel pool). There is the fantastic Broken Hill Regional Aquatic Centre which includes an outdoor 50m pool and an indoor 25m pool, an adventure/water slide and disabled access. I've seen Kangaroos grazing on the lawn just outside the centre.

If you feel like something more beachy, there is a huge water body - Menindee Lakes about 110 kms south east of the city which is a beautiful spot to include in your visit, as is the nearby Kinchega National Park and the famous huge shearing shed.

The road to Silverton.
You never know what you might see!

Share on social media
Look at more Broken Hill images on @ilovebrokenhill 's Pinterest account or Tweet special Broken Hill finds to @ilovebrokenhill on Twitter.

Why not follow ilovebroken.hill Google+ as well. We're just getting started there.

Of course there's an ilovebrokenhill.com Facebook page as well. Please like us there and spread the word about Broken Hill, this fabulous outback Australian city located in far west New South Wales.

Enjoy your holidays, drive safely and pack some extra water just in case.

Cheers, Jane Deany

Broken Hill Christmas Pageant 2013 today 6.00pm. Don't miss it!

Broken Hill Christmas Pageant 2012 float
corner Oxide and Argent Streets
Image courtesy Barrier Daily Truth

Entertainment/Community Event
Christmas is in the air in Broken Hill.  The annual Broken Hill Christmas Pageant begins tonight at 6.00pm local time. I'm sure there will be some great photos in the "Barrier Daily Truth" newspaper on Monday, not to mention many uploads to facebook pages all around, and of course, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube etc... Hopefully there will be many updates to various local's accounts, as it will help those who can't be there to not miss out on all the action.

At 4pm, the activities kick off with a Community Market in Beryl Street at the Centre for Community.

At 6pm the Pageant will begin and from 6.30pm an after party at Sturt Park will see the festivities continue and a float category award will be announced at 7.30pm. There is also a movie in the park as darkness falls - Elf, a family favourite.

The Pageant begins on the corner of Lane and Oxide Streets, the 35 floats will then head down Oxide Street until they reach and turn right into Argent Street (the main street in Broken Hill). The floats then travel down Argent Street until they reach Sulphide Street, where again they turn right. They then turn left into Blende Street where they will disperse.

Temperature gauge - West Darling Hotel
at corner Oxide and Argent Streets
where the Pageant turns into Argent Street

Activities at the after party include -

Santa, Food Stalls, Bouncy Castle,
Pony Rides, Games and Activities, HillFM
Dave Currie, Giveaways, Merry Go Round

I will put this event in my diary for next year as there are too many Christmas parties and events at home in Melbourne to make the trip this time. Hopefully I can make the trip next year. It is just one of the many Broken Hill events that I still look forward to attending in the future.

The Pageant and accompanying festivities will be a lot of fun for everyone.

Last year's Pageant was on 1 December 2012, see link here to my article about the event.

I would love to hear feedback from anyone who goes or who's been in the past.  What was it like?  What was your favourite float?  You get the idea ... don't be shy.

Cheers, Jane D

Outburst's Tracy Peduto sings karaoke at Southern Cross tonight

Entertainment
If you're not booked up tonight, why not go down to the Southern Cross Hotel tonight where you can join in some karaoke fun with Tracy Peduto of Outburst Entertainment who'll be belting out some great songs.

Tracy Peduto at the
Southern Cross Hotel

I've heard Tracy sing (and sung along with her too). She has what seems to be an endless playlist with an incredible variety. Her repertoire's amazingly diverse

You can see she truly loves to sing, and in fact I know she loves to sing because she told me so when we chatted yesterday about tonight's gig.

(Although recently reported that Tracy only sings at the Southern Cross Hotel, this isn't the case). For the record, I've seen Tracy perform at The Palace Hotel, and she also plays at Club Legion.

Just keep an eye out for the weekly entertainment guide in the Barrier Daily Truth. The coming weekend's entertainment's is usually listed in Thursday's paper each week, although this week it was in Friday's paper.

Southern Cross Hotel Broken Hill
courtesy www.gdaypubs.com.au
photo by Jon Graham

Entertainment starts from 7.30pm and will probably go till quite late. It's a little after that now, so I'm sure things will be just getting into full swing.

Southern Cross Hotel
357 Cobalt Street (corner Oxide Street), Broken Hill

Maybe come along after the fireworks (9pm) which will be held at the Broken Hill Show (Memorial Oval, William Street/Barrier Highway). The show finishes up for the year at 11pm.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane Deany

Broken Hill's Annual Show 2013 runs from 12-14 September

image courtesy www.visitnsw.com

Entertainment/Community Event

It's on again - Broken Hill's annual show, now in it's 124th year, and it's an event I hear most local children don't want to miss! 

I'm pretty sure lots of adults are more than happy to have this annual opportunity to share some fun with their families at this country classic event.

There will be plenty to see and lots to do including a great variety of exciting rides, plenty of food, equestrian events, dog jumping, the popular animal nursery, arts and crafts, fireworks and of course the all important show-bags. Quite simply there'll be events and lots of fun for the whole family, the young and the young at heart, in fact there's probably something for everyone.

There'll be King Neptunes Raceway, The Big Red Bucket and other side show alley favourites. There'll be plenty of rides for the 'little kids' including 'The Tea Cups', 'The Lady Bug' and 'Piggy Train', (and others) and for the 'bigger kids', rides such as 'The Hurricane', 'The Kamikaze', 'Tilt-a-Whirl' and 'The Cha-Cha', to name a just a few.

More details are published in Thursday 12 September's issue of the Barrier Daily Truth.

Horse events will be on from 8am on Saturday (and Sunday according to the paper).

Dog jumping is on Saturday from 11am.

Vintage cars from 8pm Saturday night.

There's also a new pavilion this year, the 'Days Gone By Museum' which sounds fascinating and well worth a look.

This year the theme is "Our Mining History".

Fireworks are on around 9pm on both Friday and Saturday nights, and are meant to be a real highlight.

Dates:   Thursday 12th September to Saturday 14th September 2013

Gates open 5pm Thursday 12th September

Venue: Broken Hill Memorial Oval (Williams Street / Barrier Highway)

Contact information - Shareen Johnstone
Phone - (08) 8087 4160
Email - willeila@clearmail.com.au

Oh, and while I'm on the subject of 'shows', the Royal Melbourne Show is also about to begin, and that's on in my hometown. It runs from Saturday 21st September to Wednesday 2nd October. It's a great show, so if you're down south in the so-called 'big-smoke', I can definitely recommend it!

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Local bands 'Exhumed' by ABC Broken Hill at The Palace Hotel tonight

The Palace Hotel - 227 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Entertainment
Tonight's music 'festival' is just getting underway at The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill.

The best part about the event is it's FREE!

Several Broken Hill bands are performing including the Silver City Comets, Blue Ridge, Static Rock and Soulforge.  All were entries in ABC Local Radio's 'Exhumed' competition.

ABC Local Radio stations across Australia were involved in the 'Exhumed' competition, a band competition with a difference. It's not for wannabe's or has-beens, it for the never-weres. Bands who play music just for the sheer love of it.

'The Silver City Comets' courtesy ABC Broken Hill

The winner for the ABC Broken Hill region was local Broken Hill heavy metal band 'Soulforge' so congratulations to them. They now go on to the next phase of the competition where six bands are chosen by the public from across Australia for the people's choice award.

For more information about the winning bands from across Australia, and for how to vote, please see the following link to ABC Local Radio's 'Exhumed' link -
www.abc.net.au/tv/exhumed/bands/#

ABC Broken Hill news journalist and former rock n' roll writer Jack Marx is hosting this showcase event at The Palace Hotel. Jack will explore the 'back story' to how the local bands came about. It sounds like a fantastic night for music lovers, especially if you like great live bands. I've seen Blue Ridge and the Silver City Comets play before and they're great. I wish I could be there as it sounds like a really fun night.

Please follow the link here if you'd like to hear Jack Marx interview the Silver City Comets.

The Palace Hotel - 227 Argent Street, Broken Hill.

Time - From 8.30pm.

FREE EVENT!!

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Outburst's Tracy sings karaoke The Palace Hotel Broken Hill tonight

The Palace Hotel Broken Hill

Entertainment

Broken Hill's Tracy Peduto of Outburst will be 'powering out her karaoke hits' tonight Saturday 6 April 2013 at The Palace Hotel.

It should be a fun night.

I know that going to 'The Palace' makes for a great night anyhow with their fab - 2013  Good Pub Food Guide 2 Scooner - award winning food and funky retro vibe.

The Palace Hotel is at 227 Argent Street, Corner Chloride Street, Broken Hill.
Phone: 08 8088 1699

I saw Tracy sing at 'The Palace' earlier this year and she has an amazing range of songs and can sing up a storm.

You can see she really loves performing.

Tracy (singing) with her 'back-up'
crew, her mother

Lots of people ended up singing including me, as well as some lovely travellers I met that night, Steve and his sister Sue.

It ended up quite a late night.

So I can definitely say that I recommend it as a lot of fun.

Make sure you book if you would like a meal as it's a very popular venue.

Enjoy!

Cheers, Jane Deany

Wake in Fright, Mad Max 2, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, NFSA gems

'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' car at Silverton and me

Film
The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) website has some interesting movie and film records as you would expect.

I was surfing around the web tonight and found this interesting link from the NFSA's blog about some of the famous movies that have been filmed in and around Broken Hill.

The 1971 film 'Wake in Fright' directed by Canadian Ted Kotcheff is a famous and, in my opinion, a quite harrowing 'drama/thriller' set in and around Broken Hill and Silverton.  When I realised the prominence Broken Hill and Silverton play in the film, I decided it was time to see it.  I found a copy of the DVD at  the Broken Hill Video Ezy when I visited earlier this year.  I imagine it's not everyone's cup of tea, and if you don't like cruelty to animals (which I don't), it may not be for you.  You need to see some of the credits at the end of the film for more of an explanation about what I'm referring to.  It's R rated (most definitely in my opinion).

The Palace Hotel Broken Hill

'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994), directed by Stephan Elliott, is another famous Aussie film which was shot, in part in Broken Hill. The Palace Hotel was also used for some of the filming.  I've seen this film a number of times and enjoyed it.  It's great if you like comedy, drama and a musical all mixed together.  (Adult themes, R rated).

'Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior' (1981), directed by George Miller, is the other very well known film which was shot in and around Broken Hill and Silverton.  I must say I haven't seen that one yet.  It's an adventure, action, thriller which isn't really my scene.  It's R rated, but I don't know any more than that.

Anyhow, the NFSA's blog has this interesting article 'A Broken Hill time capsule', about these and some of the other 35+ films that have been shot in the Broken Hill/Silverton/Far West region.  Here's the link to the story.

Happy reminiscing, cheers, Jane D

Robin Sellick photography talk 6pm Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

Entertainment
Robin Sellick, the highly acclaimed Broken Hill photographer, will tonight speak to guests at a public lecture on Celebrity Photography at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery (BHRAG).

PM Julia Gillard (2006) by Robin Sellick source
'Robin Sellick Photography' Facebook page

Robin will provide an insight into the stories behind the portraits he has taken of some of the most famous people in the world, which include PM Julia Gillard, former PM John Howard, Kylie Minogue, Lleyton Hewitt and Shane Warne. Both humorous and shocking tales have been promised!

The event was initially to be held at a smaller venue, but due to popularity, it had to be moved the BHRAG.

His talk is part of the St Patrick's races festivities, with the races being on this coming Saturday 16 March.  The event has been organised as a part of the accompanying Paddy's Fringe Festival, which is being held for the first time this year.

The fabulous photograph of PM Julia Gillard taken by Robin appears at the current exhibition (until 16 June 2013) at the National Portrait Gallery 'First Ladies: Significant Australian Women 1913 - 2013' which I saw on a recent visit to Canberra.

Here's a link to a recent related ABC Broken Hill article about Robin. Robin also has a 'Robin Sellick Photography' Facebook page.

Event Details:

Venue:     Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, 404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill

Date:     14 March 2013

Time:     6pm

Cost:     $25

Bookings essential:     0407 874 795

It sounds a fascinating topic. If you do go, please feel free to tell us all about the night in a comment.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill's Georgie Blore entertains with karaoke at Palace 9 March

George E Blore courtesy
Facebook profile photo

Entertainment

Georgie Blore, is singing karaoke tonight at The Palace Hotel. Sounds like a fun night out.  I know going to The Palace makes for a great night anyhow with their tasty meals and slightly retro, buzzy vibe.

The Palace Hotel is at 227 Argent Street, Corner Chloride Street.

The Palace Hotel

When Georgie isn't singing, she's organising social dining get togethers through a group she set up on Facebook A Guide to Dining Out in Broken Hill, Tour De Foodies events. Check it out. It's an open group designed as a monthly get together for a dining experience at three dining venues (restaurants/ cafes/ pubs/ clubs) on the one night and catching up with and meeting new people.

Next Tour De Foodies is on 20 March 2013, 2013, 6.30pm at Comfort Inn Hilltop (book via Facebook).

Get down to The Palace for a fun night out and support Georgie (whom I have not yet met).

If you miss that, or want to hear more, Georgie will also sing at Alma Hotel 212 Hebbard Street, Broken Hill on Sunday at 5.30pm.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Lincoln - Broken Hill charity film fundraiser premier

Entertainment

Film promotional poster

Oscar nominated film 'Lincoln' will premier in Broken Hill tomorrow, Sunday 3 March, in the same week the film won the Oscar for best 'Actor in a Leading Role' for Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in the title role.

It was the 85th year of the Oscars and 'Lincoln' also won the Oscar for best 'Production Design'.

The Oscar wins are perfect timing for added promotional punch for the fundraising event for the Anglican Ladies Committee.

Details are as follows -

Time:     2pm

Silver City Cinema

Place:    Silver City Cinema, 41 Oxide Street, Broken Hill (tel. 08 8087 4569)

Cost:     $13.50 including film (2.5 hours), nibbles and refreshments, and door prize raffle.

I've been to Broken Hill film fundraisers before and they're great fun, very social and always accompanied by an excellent movie and some yummy food.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill's Summer Vibes Festival ends today

Back from left me, Susan Thomas and
Jeanette Wormald with Kat in front

Entertainment
I am just home from the final day of the 'Summer Vibes Festival' and had a lot of fun. I met many people including special guest actor Tony Bonner and caught up with a number of locals too. A beautiful full moon shone down upon the good sized crowd as some short films produced by ABC Open's Jenia Ratcliffe and the feature film 'The Castle' (1997) screened.

I will report further details shortly and also post some more photos.

Enjoy the day off tomorrow for Australia Day.

Cheers, Jane D

Summer Vibes Festival continues tonight Friday 18 January 2013

Entertainment

The Patton Village 'Summer Vibes Festival' continues tonight with film, a live band, markets, etc... Sounds like a lot of fun and definitely worth attending.

Date:     18 January 2013

Time:     from 6.00pm.
              The feature film "Liquid Bridge"
               (an entry in the '48Hr EcoFilm Challenge')
               is scheduled to commence at 8.30pm

Venue:   Patton Village, Patton Street, South Broken Hill

For more details on tonight's program see the link here.

Website:                www.summervibes.org.au

The whole 'Summer Vibes Festival' runs from 30 November 2012 - 27 January 2013 and as well as film, the festival includes markets, art and music.  See also my earlier post regarding the festival here.

I wish I could be there, but am back home in not quite so hot Melbourne. Enjoy, cheers, Jane D

Broken Hill visitor information recent snapshot + where it began for me

Snippet
The Big Chair / Bench / Seat in Broken Hill is 2.5 times bigger that your usual seat/park bench. It is painted red and lives on top of the Line of Lode. You can enjoy a great view across Broken Hill from up there. Check it out. It is also a good photo opportunity spot.

The "Big Bench" and me with part of Broken Earth Complex
(left) and Miner's Memorial (centre)

The "Big Bench" and me, yes it is 'big'

There are a couple of photos of me with it here from my visit earlier in the week. Two structures are visible behind me. The one on the far left is part of the Broken Earth Complex and the one to my immediate left is the Miner's Memorial. All three are worth checking out. The Bench was erected in September 2002 as part of the 'Landscapes and Backgrounds' exhibition*.
(*source wikipedia)

Review
I have written more than 100 articles over the last 13 months so there is a lot to look at if this is your first visit to www.ilovebrokenhill.com.

For this reason, I've put together some links to a few of the articles which are all relevant to what's on right now in Broken Hill. Even the final two links listed are, I believe, still useful and current, as they will give you a good feel of the city and surrounds to help you know what to expect when you arrive in Broken Hill (which I hope you do!).

Entertainment

Summer School Holidays in Broken Hill (posted 28 December 2012)

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/12/summer-school-holidays-in-broken-hill.html

Enterprise
See It My Way App worth a look (posted 31 December 2012)

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/12/see-it-my-way-app-for-broken-hill-worth.html

Tourism
Broken Hill Visitor Information new website launched 18.12.2012 (posted 21 December 2012)

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/12/broken-hill-visitor-information-new.html

Reminder of big events still on this January 2013 (including one on until 3 February)

Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill
Three Special Exhibitions now on a Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/11/three-special-exhibitions-now-on-at.html

Patton Village
Patton Street Park (opposite the shops), South Broken Hill
Summer VibesFestival 30.11.12-27.01.13 Sth Broken Hill

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/11/patton-village-summer-vibes-festival.html

Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre)
Corner Crystal and Bromide Streets, Broken Hill

The Odditoreum exhibition now on in Broken Hill

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/11/odd-in-broken-hill-powerhouse-museums.html

Broken Hill Station with Miner's Memorial, Broken Earth Complex and Line of Lode in background

Now, on a more personal note -

A little bit of shameless self promotion for this next article –

www.ilovebrokenhill.com blogger Jane Deany aka me makes the news! (posted 28 October 2012)

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2012/10/wwwilovebrokenhillcom-blogger-jane.html

And finally,

My passion for Broken Hill, where it all began for me (links to the first two posts!)

Broken Hill or bust .. the first trip … 2002 (posted 8 December 2011)

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2011/12/broken-hill-or-bust.html

2005 and I've returned to Broken Hill at last (posted 15 December 2011)
(this was my 2nd trip, more photos and more of a sense of Broken Hill with this, my 2nd post) -

http://www.ilovebrokenhill.com/2011/12/i-have-returned-to-hill-again-yeah.html

Okay, that’s enough reminiscing for today.

Cheers, Jane D

Summer School holidays in Broken Hill

Entertainment
Summer school holidays are upon us and what better time to explore my favourite place Broken Hill than now. Okay it can be hot but it's Australia and it's summer everywhere so apart from Tasmania or the Australian Alps there are few cold places to be found at this time of year. It's not peak season so there aren't too many crowds, peak season is Spring and Autumn.

Broken Hill Regional Aquatic Centre
courtesy Destination NSW website

I have been to the city several times in summer and it's lovely sunny dry heat. There's the fantastic Broken Hill Regional Aquatic Centre if you feel the need for a swim or if you could visit the Menindee Lakes either on your way to or from Broken Hill. They are about 110km south east of the city. When full, which they are now, I'm told they are about twice the size of Sydney Harbour - so quite big!  It's a good side trip. Some folk from Broken Hill have holiday homes in that area. There's also the beautiful Kinchega National Park there too. In fact there are several  wonderful National Parks in the Broken Hill region that could be incorporated into your itinerary. The new Visitor Information website lists them and other local attractions.

Anyhow back to Broken Hill. There are the key attractions and galleries to see many of which I have written about in this blog, so you feel free to browse past posts for some ideas.  Also, the Visitor Information Centre corner Bromide and Blende Streets - tel. 08 8080 3560 and the associated Visitor Information website are great places to start for ideas.

Brochure courtesy
Powerhouse Museum Sydney

Right now there are several events/exhibitions that are all worth a visit and I have mentioned these in earlier posts but here they are again -

The Patton Village Summer Vibes festival in Patton Street South Broken Hill.
The festival runs every Friday 6pm - 9pm, from 30 November 2012 to 27 January 2013 see my article here.

The Odditoreum exhibition at the Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) running between 23 October  2012 - 22 January 2013, corner Crystal and Bromide Streets. The GeoCentre is worth a visit in it's own right.

The Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, 404 Argent Street, has another wonderful combined exhibition on, which you can read about here in my article.

Other ideas include -

View of Line of Lode, Miner's Memorial (left of tree), Broken Earth Complex (right of tree)

Sculptures at Living Desert Sculpture Park

• Living Desert and Sculptures (9km North Broken Hill, off Nine Mile Road)
• Miner's Memorial and Visitors Centre (on top of the Line of Lode)
• Broken Earth Complex (on top of the Line of Lode)
• Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) - corner Crystal and Bromide Streets - 08 8080 3500
• Line of Lode (big hill {tailings/mullock heap-former ore body} in middle of Broken Hill)
• Railway Mineral and Train Museum - Blende Street
• Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery - 404 Argent Street - 08 8080 3440
• Galleries - there are many galleries -
  see list of 24 galleries at the bottom of this site (scroll down) famous galleries include -
• Pro Hart Gallery (Brushmen of the Bush fame) - 108 Wyman Street - 08 8087 2441
• Silver City Mint and Art Centre (including 'Big Picture') -
  66 Chloride Street - 08 8088 6166
• Bell's Milk Bar and Museum  160 Patton Street, South Broken Hill - 08 8087 5380
• Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Bruce Langford Visitor Centre - Airport end of Bonanza Street - 08 8080 3714
• School of the Air - Lane Street - 08 8087 3565
• Trades Hall - corner Blende and Sulphide Streets - 08 8087 5258
• RSL Hall of Fame - Argent Street
• Historic Day Dream Mine (20km NW Broken Hill, off Silverton Road) - 08 8088 5682

The Palace Hotel

• Argent Street - main Broken Hill shopping strip which includes beautiful old buildings such as the Town Hall Facade and the famous The Palace Hotel (internal murals, 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' movie fame amongst other things)
• Patton Village - Patton Street, South Broken Hill
• Film Studio Precinct - Eyre Street, South Broken Hill
• Clubs including 
• the Broken Hill Musician's Club (Muso Club) - 276 Crystal Street, includes gallery - 08 8088 1777
• The Barrier Social Democratic Club (Demo Club) - 218 Argent Street - 08 8088 4477
• The Sturt Club - 321 Blende Street - 08 8087 4541
• Club Legion - 170 Crystal Street - 08 8087 4064
• Silverton (town about 25km west of Broken Hill) - numerous sites
• Mundi Mundi plains (just beyond Silverton a few kilometres)

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 24 or so galleries - see list of 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 they are well worth visiting.

Accommodation
On that note, perhaps you should book another night or two, you may need it and there is a wide variety of accommodation available - see the Broken Hill Visitor Information website for some accommodation suggestions www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au.

Dining
Of course there are plenty or restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs and takeaways to enjoy a great meal and parks to enjoy a picnic.

Enjoy, cheers, Jane D