The Best Things To Do in Silverton, NSW

If you’re visiting the New South Wales outback and Broken Hill, don’t miss a quick trip to this small but fascinating historic town. Discover the best things to do in Silverton, NSW…

I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for work, we wouldn’t have ended up wandering the outback sands of Silverton on a Wednesday morning.

It’s probably not advisable to go straight from flying half way around the world to driving the entire width of an Australian state. But when you’re offered the chance to work at a festival in the middle of the Australian outback, what’s a little jet lag between friends?

Right off the back of driving 13 hours from Sydney to Broken Hill in the space of two days (with, actually, a surprising lack of jet lag); we found ourselves hurling out pizzas to the hungry folks of the annual Mundi Mundi Bash. With our shifts not starting until 2.30 in the afternoon, we decided to make the most of one of our mornings, and caught the shuttle bus from the festival into Silverton.

1. Check out the historic buildings

The historic village of Silverton was once a mining town, home to around 3000 residents. The town grew quickly after the discovery of mineral ore in 1975. By the early 1900s, supply had run dry and prospectors quickly moved their business and homes to more lucrative mining areas around Broken Hill.

Today, only a cluster of buildings and foundations remain, but the ones that do are packed with interesting history. Historic buildings of interest include the St Carthage Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Silverton Municipal Council and the Surveyor’s Cottage. Walking around the outskirts of the town, we also came across shells of dwellings and community buildings – some marked with plaques, some simply left to the elements.

The signposted Heritage Walking Trail takes you around Silverton’s highlights. As the walk can take around two hours, we didn’t have time for the whole thing – but you can find more information here.

2. Drop in to the Mad Max 2 Museum

The expansive desert surrounds and well-preserved buildings inspire a sense of wild west adventure – which is why it’s not a surprise that Silverton has featured in film, television and advertisting.

The most notable screen appearance for Silverton is the 1981 action movie, filmed in and around Silverton. British movie enthusiasts Adrian and Linda Bennett opened the Mad Max 2 Museum in 2010, and it’s one of the major tourist attractions in the region.

Even though (to my boyfriend’s dismay) I hadn’t actually seen the Mad Max films, I still really enjoyed our visit. Packed with props, photography and costumes from the movies, it’s a trove of curiosities for film fans. In the back yard area, we explored the original and replica vehicles from the movie.

Opening Times: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 11am-3pm
Admission Fee: $10

3. Enjoy the views at Mundi Mundi Lookout

If you want to get an idea of how vast the Australian outback is, this is the perfect spot to feel absolutely tiny! One of the most iconic lookout points in the New South Wales outback, the Mundi Mundi Lookout offers a breathtaking expanse of pure desert sands, as far as the eye can see.

The view looked a little different while we were there, with a stage and plenty of caravan rigs breaking up the desert landscape. But beyond this, it was impossible to comprehend the vast orange landscape ahead of us.

The lookout point is around 5 minutes drive from the Silverton Hotel, so it’s perfect for the start or end of your visit.

4. Tuck in at Silverton Bakery and Cafe

We absolutely can’t resist a classic Aussie pie – and luckily, Silverton Bakery does some pretty good ones. If you’re not after pie, they also offer a range of bakes, sandwiches and light bites.

5. Have a drink at the Silverton Hotel

Our key aim at the Silverton Hotel was picking up some beers to take back to the festival with us – but of course, we stopped in for a schooner to experience this iconic outback pub!

Established in 1884 as a watering hole for local miners, the Silverton Hotel has offered a cold pint and warm hospitality to travellers ever since. When the original hotel building burnt down in 1918, the pub reopened in the neighbouring former post office building.

The pub pays homage to its heritage throughout, with pictures, memorabilia and news clippings on display in the main bar. There’s live music in the beer garden during the summer months, and a good range of drinks on offer.

6. Step back in time at Silverton Gaol Museum

The Silverton Gaol building was erected in 1889 to replace the previous timber and iron jail, which offered little in the way of prisoner comfort or security. As the need for the jail and police station waned with the town’s decline, the jail itself closed in 1892.

The building is now home to the Silverton Gaol Museum, a great place to delve into local history. The fourteen cell building is now home to a wide collection of artefacts telling the story of Silverton’s development and decline, spanning over a decade.

Opening Times: 9.30am-4pm
Admission Fee: $8

7. Go back to school at Silverton School Museum

Starting life as a tent where lessons were taught to local children, the Silverton Schoolhouse is now home to a uniquely fascinating educational museum. This small, one-room collection shines a light on what rural education has looked like throughout history, incorporating old photos, books and equipment.

Opening Times: Wed, Fri & Sun: 9am-3.30pm
Admission Fee: $5 (cash only)

8. View Outback art at a local gallery

The striking landscapes of the outback provides endless inspiration for creatives – so it’s not surprising this small town is home to a number of galleries and studios.

John Dynon Gallery

One of the best-known names from the Broken Hill area, John Dynon‘s colourful and striking modern art has become synonymous with the area. His gallery is also a working studio, where you can often meet the man himself and check out his latest collections.

Justin Cowz Ghost Town Art Gallery

I absolutely love Justin Cowz‘s quirky art style, with an expressionist take on the classic Australian outback. From large prints to skate decks and affordable prints and magnets, his gallery is perfect for picking up a unique souvenir.

The Horizon Gallery

One of the oldest galleries in the area, Horizon welcomes local artists, showcasing outback-inspired works across a variety of styles.

Silverton Photography Gallery & Gardens

Venture into the wilderness just outside of Silverton, and you’ll discover a rustic tin building home to local photography and historic cameras, surrounded by a unique and quirky ‘secret garden’

9. Take a tour of the historic Daydream Mine

Experience how miners in the 1800s spent their long and gruelling work days as you head underground on a tour of the historic Daydream Mine. The 90 minute tour descends deep into the mining tunnels, exploring the brutal conditions and day-to-day operations of ore mining in the Australian outback.

The tour isn’t suitable for those uncomfortable with confined spaces, but a surface tour is also available. Booking ahead is essential, so check the website for availabilty and book your tour.

Opening Times: Tours run at 10am and 11.30am on Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat & Sun (daily opening during school holidays, excluding summer holidays)
Admission Fee: From $33