Broken Hill Things to Do

What an impressive building is the Trades Hall (1898-1905). The Trades Hall is one of Broken Hill's most historically important buildings, and one with beautiful architecture.
It was built and paid for entirely by the people of Broken Hill.
It has been home of the union movement in Broken Hill since it was built in 1905.





The Trade Hall was built as the home to the union movement.

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The gallery is known as "BROKEN HILL'S FINEST OUTBACK GALLERY," - I would have to agree.

Once again, we found the Gallery by following the Brown signed tourist route.

The Gallery is in Jack Absaloms private home. We walked to the door, rang the bell, and were let inside. As soon as we entered, I was in awe, the paintings are in a room set out in the best possible way for viewing.
There are big paintings around the wall, and in the centre of the room is an Opal showcase.
His oil paintings are some of the finest in Australia. He is a very successful artist and has done television shows for the ABC.

I would recommend you come here, as it is one of the best Galleries in Broken Hill and shouldn't be missed.
Paintings and opals are for sale, and some other souvenirs.
Sometimes you may get lucky and meet the "Master" himself! He has been awarded the "order of Australia medal' for his contribution to art and for raising money for charities.

ENTRY IS FREE
Photos are allowed.

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When you first arrive at Broken Hill, you will immediately notice the large number of houses built completely out of corrugated iron.
In the 1890's, many families lived in tents with flour bags stitched together, if you were a bit richer, then you could afford a corrugated iron shack or cottage with dirt floors, and the few who were wealthy, lived in stone cottages. The biggest majority are the corrugated iron cottages.
For many women, life was ruled by a strict routine: Monday for washing, Tuesday for ironing, Wednesday for cleaning, Thursday for mending, Friday for shopping, Saturday for cleaning, Sunday for church.
As we drove around the city, we could see all the types of housing, these days the cottages are being done-up to be used as B&B Cottages.

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This Catholic cathedral was opened in 1905 and is one of the most prominent landmarks of Broken Hill.
It was built during the Federation era in Gothic style with rock faced stone, and is a listed heritage site. It is a beautiful Church to view.
Once again, the Church door was locked, so no inside view.
Next door, is the college and the Bishop's residence

This Church is located on the Brown signposted tourist drive.

We had quite a hard time finding this Gallery. It is in a private home, and isn't signposted the best.
We walked in through the garden and found some people sitting on the back gallery. They pointed to the shed, so we walked inside and had a look. The style of painting looked similar to Pro Harts.
I found there are quite a few artists in Broken Hill who paint like this. As we walked out, somebody said, thanks, and that was it. Can't say I was very impressed.

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To get to the Line of Lode, we drove by Car up the Slag heap to the top. The road is part of the Brown signed tourist route.
There is plenty of FREE parking. From here, we walked across to see the views over the city. These were great!
The new Restaurant is here, so we went inside to have a look. The views from where you dine are wonderful.

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Line of Lode Miner's Memorial is a new attraction in Broken.
It is a lookout and memorial at the top of the mullock heap that stands beside the city.

The memorial to the 800 or more miners is to those who lost their lives working along the Line of Lode. It was quite sad reading the memorials, how young and awfully they died while working in the mines.
The building itself represents the underground lives of the miners, the dampness, claustrophobic underground environment of where these miners worked and died. Most of the memorial plaques had flowers pinned to them.
The views over Broken Hill are spectacular and there is a cafe and souvenir shop.

OPEN....
10am to 10pm every day (closed Sundays from December to March)

ADMISSION......Adults $4
Walk inside the Restaurant building and past the Restaurant to the gift shop. This is where you buy your tickets, and pass through the gate, and follow the wooden pathway to the Line of Lode Memorial.

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At the Tourist information centre, I picked up this pamphlet. It is a self-guided walk through the town centre that takes about an hour to do 1.7km.
I walked some of it, not all through lack of time.
It begins at the City Square. What you look for, is the stainless steel plaques with names and information on famous/important people in Broken Hill.
I found it very interesting.
You can read about some of the people from the photos.