The first mines were walk-in, pick-and-shovel horrors. For an eye-opening experience, tour this historic mine (dating from the 1880s) where you squeeze down the steps with your helmet-light quivering on your head. Sturdy footwear is essential. It's a scenic 13km dirt drive off the Silverton road – a total of 33km from Broken Hill. Check road conditions at the Visitor Information Centre. There are additional tours during school holidays, and claustrophobes can tour the surface area only for $10. Cash only.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Living Desert State Park

4.98 MILES

One of the most memorable experiences of Broken Hill is viewing the sunset from the Living Desert Sculpture Symposium, on the highest hilltop 12km from…

2. Living Desert Sculpture Symposium

5.23 MILES

A striking range of work on a hilltop northwest of town was created in 1993 by 12 international sculptors. They were responding to the limitless landscape…

3. Pro Hart Gallery

6.92 MILES

Kevin 'Pro' Hart (1928–2006) was a former miner and is widely considered one of outback Australia's premier painters. His iconic work is spread over three…

4. Jack Absalom's Gallery

7.91 MILES

Born in 1927, Jack Absalom is one of the celebrated 'Brushmen of the Bush', a group of five artists that hailed from Broken Hill (Pro Hart was another…

5. Silver City Mint & Art Centre

8.21 MILES

This is home to the Big Picture, an amazing 100m-by-12m diorama of the Broken Hill outback – the work of one painter, completed over two years. It's…

7. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery

8.35 MILES

This impressive gallery is housed in the beautifully restored Sully's Emporium from 1885. It's the oldest regional gallery in NSW and holds 1800 works in…