Broken Hill, in the far west of New South Wales, is a burb of almost 18,000 people – the oldest mining town in the country, with a history dating back to the 1880s. The area was a rich source of silver, lead and zinc and was continuously successfully mined well into the 1990s. The Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial overlooks the town, honoring the more than 800 workers who lost their lives in the effort.
Sounds grim, and it looks a bit that way… but creativity flourishes wherever humans congregate.
Pro Hart was a miner here who became one of Australia’s most prominent and beloved painters. His gallery is full of vibrant paintings and sculpture…..
The town is home to several other galleries for artists known and aspiring.
But Broken Hill’s most fabulous claim to fame is that it was the filming location for iconic scenes from the classic 1994 movie, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”
If you have not seen this film, please do so. You’ll laugh; you’ll cry and you’ll be touched by its humanity.
We stayed at the Palace Hotel, built in the late 1880s and prominently featured in the film….
An indigenous artist painted murals throughout the hotel and its famous bar…..
The Priscilla Room is where the protagonists stayed….. and we did too!
Memorable and kitschy… the only regret being that we missed the drag show!
The Sturt’s desert pea is an extraordinary flower common in the outback, but the only ones we have seen were in a colorful patch in town…
Will close this post with an occasionally-obligatory group photo……
On to Parachilna and another special setting.
Emerald Isle to the Norse Lands 