Top Things to do in Broken Hill
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Things to do in Broken Hill, New South Wales: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Broken Hill, Australia including Royal Flying Doctor Service, Aboriginal Art & Craft Gallery, Howard Steer Art - Flying Doctor Artist, Pro Hart Gallery, Jack Absalom, Whites Minerals and Mining Museum, Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre), Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum, Silver City Mint and Art Centre.
Restaurants in Broken Hill
1. Royal Flying Doctor Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 709 reviews
Come and visit the Outback Heritage Experience that combines a museum, theatre and gift-shop, with interactive displays showing the history of the Service. It also tributes to the doctors, pilots and flight nurses who work for us, the many community groups and benefactors who support us. Enjoy a talk by our tour guide. View the aircraft in the hangar. Watch a unique film in our 44 seat theatre. Shop for special souvenirs. Explore the Mantle of Safety Museum. The Outback Heritage Experience is unique because it is one of the few working Bases, located at an airport that is open to the public daily. Visitors can tour the Base and explore the Mantle of Safety Museum which showcases over 88 years of remarkable outback history. The Flying Doctor Service is a charitable organisation. We rely on the generosity of the community to continue our life-saving work. All proceeds from admissions and merchandise sales go towards the purchase of new aircraft and vital medical equipments.
Reviewed By J5084OCrickh
Really enjoyed the experience and learning about the RFDS, watched an informative show, got to see the control room and the hanger where some old planes are being restored all with expert commentary.
2. Aboriginal Art & Craft Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
3. Howard Steer Art - Flying Doctor Artist
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By 569debbied
Popped in to Howard's gallery/home in broken hill. Bought one of his gorgeous pieces whilst he painted his famous flying doctor on it whilst we watched. Talented artist and delightful to chat with. One of my highlights
4. Pro Hart Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 803 reviews
Reviewed By ramonc991 - Wodonga, Australia
A collection of Pro harts Life, you can see his work station, his Rolls Royces out the front, They have documentary playing for you to watch. Prints & paintings for sale.
5. Jack Absalom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By Ragnar1
Was greeted at the gate warmly and showed inside. Nicely set out gallery displaying some amazing artwork by the late Jack Absalom. Fine opal display also on show. Blown away by the art and obvious talent of Jack. Staff very friendly and helpful. Wish we had come sooner while he was still alive.
6. Whites Minerals and Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By anuradhawick - Canberra, Australia
I could mark Mr White's museum as if not the most, one of the most important places to see in Broken Hill. The amount of Knowledge he has is unmatched and his attempt at reconstruction of old mining techniques is tremendous. He also has a massive collection of art work done by himself and a doll collection from his wife Mrs White. The place is very welcoming and genuine. My wife and I learned a lot from him and I couldn't resist myself from buying a piece of art from him.
7. Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum (GeoCentre)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Behind the stone façade of the restored former Bond Store, the Albert Kersten Mining & Minerals Museum (GeoCentre) tells the story of how the world’s largest deposit of silver lead and zinc was formed in Broken Hill. It also displays a famous collection of Broken Hill minerals and the ‘Silver tree’ – the intricate silver sculpture once owned by Charles Rasp, the boundary rider who pegged out the first Broken Hill mining lease with his partners.
Reviewed By RowenaofCroydonPark - Sydney, Australia
With the need to book during COVID, we made a quick call from down the road to see if we could get in. No problems. Zipped up the road and within minutes was reading the history and viewing a good sized (small side, not shelves and shelves of specimens) collection of minerals. Movie wasn’t working due to COVID restrictions but information boards helped with understandings. Very helpful staff member.
8. Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
The Gallery is Open! Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery is the oldest regional art gallery in NSW. It was established in 1904 following the bequest of three major artworks by Mr. George McCulloch. After three relocations, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery found its permanent home in the Sully’s Emporium Building. Many of the building’s original features have been preserved to enhance your experience of the gallery. (Look out for the original arch shaped galvanised roof, staircase and original wheel lift.) See our annually rotated permanent collection that is a treasure trove of over 2000 artworks including works from the brushmen of the bush, founding works from the George McCulloch donation and a range of contemporary Australian works. Notable artists include Margaret Preston, Arthur Streeton, Lloyd Rees, Pro Hart, John Olsen and more. The gallery also features major & touring exhibitions as as the annual acquisitive award; the 'Pro Hart Outback Art Prize'.
Reviewed By 453DianeM - Sydney, Australia
Booked on line. It's free. This gallery is well worth a visit if in Broken Hill. They have very strict Covid safe practices in place. The art of well know Australian artists is there plus whatever the current exhibition is.
9. Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By jenwild - Armidale, Australia
There are a number of different exhibits that have some real historical interest, so it’s not just a Rail Museum. Having said that the Rail parts are very good, being able to walk through these trains is great, climbing up into the drivers compartment is cool. The Silver City Comet is nicely preserved, it’s great that such an iconic train has been achieved for future generations to enjoy. The immigration exhibit was well put together and personable. The Transport rooms were also fascinating, especially the cart that a local driver used, left just as he had used it, so you could get a feel for the resourcefulness of the men working in such a difficult environment. In the Station masters office were more artefacts from days gone by, all in all a great place not to be missed
10. Silver City Mint and Art Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 366 reviews
The Silver City Mint and Art Centre is a one stop shop for souvenirs, art and jewellery when visiting Broken Hill. Home to the Worlds Largest Acrylic Canvas Painting, 'Chocolate Factory' and Silversmith on site, it is truly a great escape into the Silver City. *** 2013 Inland Tourism Awards- Tourist Attraction Finalist ***
Reviewed By thebaldcritic - Shellharbour, Australia
Broken Hill is blessed with many talented artists and therefore have a plethora of art centres / museums available for you to visit. But if you are there for a limited time, like we were, I could easily narrow down which art centre you should definitely visit… The Silver City Mint and Art Centre. Not only is it an art centre, the centre also offers a range of chocolates, fudges and truffles at the ‘Chocolate Factory’ and handmade, quality silver jewellery. But that’s not the reason for our visit, we went there to see the most talked about number one tourist attraction… ‘The Big Picture’, which is housed in this centre. Entrance fee we paid was $20 for a family of four or $7.50 per adult, in return you will receive a flier about the artist Peter ‘Ando’ Anderson and his vision / involvement in creating The Big Picture plus tokens to open the turnstile to access the viewing of The Big Picture and the rest of the museum. Now people are disputing that it’s the biggest painting in the world but if you read the description, it is carefully worded “the world’s largest acrylic painting on canvas by a single artist”. The centre is well thought of and laid out perfectly – it’s not your ordinary art museum that you’re so used to. You walk through what seems to be like an Aboriginal cave and then right in front of you, is this magical painting… The Big Picture. Words cannot describe or justify this masterpiece, you walk onto a timber viewing platform, surrounded by the painting, as it is in a horse-shoe shape, and the floor is covered with red earth and landscaped with native rocks, trees and scrubs plus native animals that compliments and completes The Big Picture perfectly. Ando has captured the true essence of Broken Hill, it looks so real or dreamlike may be the better wording. This is definitely a visual experience. We took stacks of photos and a video, although the images turned out quite impressive, you need to see it for yourself, as photos and videos don’t quite give you the same experience. Eventually we merged into another room, full of remarkable artworks, paintings, metal sculptures, ceramic wall hangings and much more, you can even purchase these fine pieces of art. Then we entered another room, where there is a video playing on a TV screen, you can sit down and watch the video, where locals share their stories of Broken Hill in general, the legendary artist, Pro Hart is in the video as well. Then we walked into the chocolate factory, I had the misconception that we would see staff making chocolates in front of you as well as selling the goodies, but it is simply a section dedicated to sweets and souvenirs for you to purchase. Very hard to narrow down what to buy, as they all looked delicious and original. They have packets of chocolates to purchase, called ‘Outback Droppings’… Dingo Dung; Kookaburra Klumps; Horse Cake; etc, I really liked that idea and a perfect gift idea to bring back home for friends and family. Choc Rock is equally impressive, as it looks like rock gems you may find in Broken Hill while fossicking. And of course, as previously mentioned, a selection of fudges and truffles plus boiled lollies. Then finally back into the entrance room, where you paid for your entry fee. This is where you pay for your souvenirs etc but also has an array of silver jewellery, we went there in the afternoon, but we didn’t have the opportunity to watch their onsite Silversmith at work – not too sure if there are scheduled times to view this, but perhaps it’s worth a telephone call before you go there. There is plenty of free on-street parking, in fact, Broken Hill is tourist friendly, the whole town has lots of free on-street parking, wherever you go.
