Happy New Year Broken Hill from Melbourne blogger Jane Deany

Happy New Year Broken Hill from Melbourne blogger Jane Deany.

Yarra River at #sunset

As the sun set last night, by the Yarra River (left) at the end of my street, it was good to be in Melbourne at this time of year, when many people are away.

But I'm looking forward to my next #BrokenHill visit as soon as I can get back up there. After all, it's only an 840kms drive.

I very much enjoyed my last visit in July 2017.

There have been at least two changes since then, which I'm very keen to experience upon my next trip.

The Silly Goat has moved to a newer, bigger premises; and

The Broken Earth Cafe has re-opened, after being shut for a long time.

No doubt there are many other changes.

I hope the summer isn't too hot for you all.

And, in my annual 'plug', it's a great time to visit this fabulous outback, heritage listed city, (Australia's first heritage listed city) during the school holidays.

Why? You will have a great time! I always do. And, it's only about a day or so drive from Melbourne, Adelaide (513kms approx.), or Sydney (1144kms approx.). You can fly, or catch the train - 'Indian Pacific' from either Adelaide or Sydney.

Cheers,

Jane Deany

Waiting for the Broken Hill report

Line of Lode with Miner's Memorial (L) and Broken Earth Complex (R)

I mentioned in my last post of 18 April that I had some friends - Jane and Richard - heading up to Broken Hill. Their red dust covered vehicle has been spotted once again back in Melbourne.

So now I wait to bombard them with questions about what their impressions were of the Hill. A text suggested the trip was going really well.

I had hoped to report today on some of their favourite things from their road trip, but my life's been hectic so there's been no chance to catch Jane or Richard ... yet.

So stay tuned. I'm super keen to hear their stories. It will be fascinating, at least for me, and hopefully for you too dear readers, to hear a different perspective about Broken Hill.

Cheers, Jane Deany

Some Melbourne friends are visiting Broken Hill this week!

Kintore Mine Headframe, Broken Hill

Some of my Hawthorn/Melbourne friends are visiting Broken Hill in the next week, so if you happen to meet J and R, I'm sure you'll make them very welcome.

At my recommendation, they're staying at The Palace Hotel.

I've also made lots of recommendations of things to do, so I hope they'll be able to fit everything in. I still haven't been able to do all of the big tourist attractions. Next time perhaps?

They're travelling via Mildura and Mungo National Park, although I hear recent rains could make that leg of their trip a bit tricky? I hope not. Anyhow, they have a four wheel drive. R remarked that if they road was closed, they might end up spending more time in #BrokenHill.

Wishing you a fantastic trip J and R.

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

Rex begins Broken Hill to Melbourne via Mildura route 9 July 2012

Don’t forget the regional airline rex aka Regional Express commences their new service between Melbourne and Broken Hill via Mildura tomorrow 9 July 2012.

The service will run once a day, each way, Monday through Saturday.  The cost of a one way trip is approximately $225 including taxes/gst.

Flights will depart from Melbourne at 4.25 pm (eastern standard time – EST) and arrive in Broken Hill at 6.40pm (central standard time - CST).  The return flight from Broken Hill will depart at 8.20 am CST and arrive in Melbourne at 11.40 am EST.

The new service will be a real time saver as the drive from Melbourne to Broken Hill is some 840kms which is well over a 9 hour drive, realistically closer to 10 hours or more with the necessary pit stops.

There will also be an increase from two to three return flights a day from Sydney.

The Regional Express's press release can be seen here which includes timetable information on page 2.

Do give the new service a try and support this fantastic initiative.

Happy flying …

Cheers, Jane D

Rex to fly Broken Hill to Melbourne from 9 July 2012 - great news for both cities and Mildura too!

I was delighted to read in the “Barrier Daily Truth” (BDT) last Wednesday 23 May 2012 the fantastic news that the regional airline rex aka Regional Express will add a new route to their service offering.  From 9 July 2012 passengers will be able to fly between Melbourne and Broken Hill, via Mildura.  The service will run once a day, each way, Monday through Saturday.  The cost of a one way trip is approximately $225 including taxes/gst.

Flights will depart from Melbourne at 4.25 pm (eastern standard time – EST) and arrive in Broken Hill at 6.40pm (central standard time - CST).  The return flight from Broken Hill will depart at 8.20 am CST and arrive in Melbourne at 11.40 am EST.

rex saab 340 courtesy wikipedia

Currently Melburnians who wish to fly to the Hill can only travel via Adelaide (which I’ve done) or Sydney – rex being the carrier, and I can say I was very happy with their service by the way.  Alternatively flying to Mildura (I’ve also done that) is an option (also via rex), but then you have to catch a bus or hire a car for the final 3-3.5 hour trip to Broken Hill.  The new service will be a real time saver as the drive to Broken Hill, some 840kms from Melbourne, is well over 9 hours, realistically closer to 10 hours with the necessary pit stops.

The idea has been talked about for years so it is really wonderful to hear that it is about to become a reality.  The BDT article indicated that the Broken Hill City Council had been in negotiations with rex for some months and had entered into a five year partnership with the airline.

The BDT article noted that there will also be an increase from two to three return flights a day from Sydney.

The Regional Express's press release can be seen here which includes timetable information on page 2.

The ABC’s coverage of the story can be read here.

Happy flying … I can’t wait to give the new service a try!

Cheers, Jane D

Christmas 2011 .. no, not at Broken Hill ...

Today is Christmas day, 2011, & I'm home in Melbourne & I just want to wish readers a happy Christmas, that is of course if you celebrate this feast, & I realise it's also the Jewish 'season' of Hanukkah, so happy Hanukkah if this is relevant to you.  Otherwise, simply season's greetings to you all & wishing you a happy holiday period.


I've just made some plans for a couple of trips to Broken Hill in the next few months which I'm excited about, as it's a little over two years since I was last there when I took some New Zealand friends (who now live in Melbourne) & they had a brief but fun time. I can't wait till I get back there & see what's been happening.


Anyhow, it's late, nearly Boxing Day, so I'll sign off, but I will be updating you very soon with lot's more info about the Hill.


Cheers, Jane D