WORDS MICHAEL BORG PICS MATT FEHLBERG
Broken Hill Region, NSW
Explore the heart of the New South Wales outback,
with just a twist of Aussie quirkiness along the way.
S
ome of the most spectacular scenery
you’ll ever lay your eyes on is right
here in the heart of the New South
Wales outback. It’s a haven of history,
uniquely Australian wildlife, culture and
world-renowned artwork, but it’s the
spectacular outback sunsets that make
this place so special.
There’s a bucket-load of weird and
wonderful things to see and do in the
Broken Hill region, but you can’t beat a
few nights camping in the sweet serenity
of Eldee Station. It’s just a few kilometres
past Silverton, which is just a few more
kilometres from Broken Hill, and it’s the
perfect place to base yourself if you want
to mix a bit of outback camping in with the
numerous activities the region has to offer.
Although Eldee Station is still a working
station, the good folks there are kind
enough to allow the keen adventurer
access to about 100km worth of 4WD
tracks, with a few of the best being rocky
mountain climbs that spit you out at some
of the best vantage points of the Mundi
Mundi Plains and the Barrier Ranges.
A short run into Silverton is well worth
the effort – this place is full of tourist
attractions to keep you occupied and
entertained. The town – and actor Mel
Gibson – was put on the map when the
original Mad Max movie was filmed there.
Check out the Mad Max Museum – it’s full
of old relics and props from the movie.
You can also wander around a million
and one different art galleries and see
some truly authentic Australian artwork
for yourself. You see, Silverton supplies the
perfect outback setting for emerging new
and well-established artists alike to whip
up some of the best works in the country.
You’ll find the brush strokes of one of
Australia’s top-selling artists and local
resident John Dynon on display at the
Silverton Outback Gallery.
If you duck back into Broken Hill, the
famous artists just keep piling up. One
of the best in the business being Kevin
‘Pro’ Heart, whose two-storey gallery is
full of direct, humorous and down-toearth pieces. Broken Hill was also the
birthplace of the global BHP mining
company, born from rich silver deposits.
The sights and sounds of Silverton and
Broken Hill are quirky and entertaining
indeed. If it’s an authentic Aussie outback
getaway you’re after, this region is really
hard to beat.
FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE
Silverton is 26km west of Broken Hill and
320km north of Mildura, Vic. Eldee Station is
36km north of Silverton.
ACTIVITIES
Explore the 4WD tracks that criss-cross
Eldee Station, get your Mad Max fix,
see some true outback art at some of the
region’s galleries.
STAY
Camp at Eldee Station.
MORE INFORMATION
www.eldeestation.com
www.silverton.org.au
ADVENTURES
25