Silverton

Silverton boomed after silver was discovered nearby in the early 1880s, but the much richer find at Broken Hill drew people away and the town faded. What remained — stone buildings, a pub, a gaol and endless plains — has drawn filmmakers, photographers and artists ever since.

Things to do

Silverton Hotel. The town's pub is decorated with film memorabilia and is a classic outback stop for a cold drink.

Mad Max 2 Museum. A fan-built museum devoted to the 1981 film shot around Silverton, with vehicles and props.

Galleries. Several artists run galleries in town, showing paintings, sculpture and photography inspired by the landscape.

Silverton Gaol Museum. The old gaol houses a museum of local life, mining and pastoral history.

Mundi Mundi Plains lookout. Drive a few kilometres north for one of the outback's great views. Sunset here is unforgettable.

Umberumberka Reservoir. A short drive away, this historic reservoir once supplied Broken Hill's water.

Events

The Mundi Mundi Bash, a large music festival held on the plains near Silverton in recent years, brings thousands of visitors. Check the official event website for current dates.

History and Country

Silverton lies on Wilyakali Country in the Barrier Range. Silver was discovered in the area in the early 1880s, and Silverton was proclaimed a town in 1885. It briefly became the centre of the Barrier district, with thousands of residents, hotels and a railway connection to South Australia. When the much richer Broken Hill lode was developed, people and buildings moved to the new city, some carried away on wagons. By the early twentieth century Silverton was largely abandoned, leaving the stone buildings that survive today.

A film set town

Silverton's landscapes and buildings have attracted filmmakers for decades. Films shot in or near the town include Mad Max 2, A Town Like Alice and Razorback, as well as many television commercials. The Silverton Hotel displays photos and memorabilia from the productions.

The Mundi Mundi Plains

The Mundi Mundi lookout, about 5 km north of town, looks west across a vast, flat plain — so open that you can see the curvature of the earth on clear days. It is a classic sunset spot.

Silverton's heritage buildings

• Silverton Gaol (1889) — now a museum with displays on mining, pastoral life and local families.
• The Municipal Chambers, the old school and churches.
• The Silverton Hotel, the social heart of the town.

A half-day itinerary

Drive from Broken Hill in the morning, visit the Gaol Museum, galleries and the Mad Max 2 Museum, have lunch at the hotel, then continue to the Mundi Mundi lookout and Umberumberka Reservoir. Stay for sunset before returning.

Seasons

The cooler months are best. Summer is extremely hot, and services may run reduced hours.

Getting there

Silverton is about 25 km north-west of Broken Hill on a sealed road.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Silverton is limited; most visitors stay in Broken Hill.

Safety

There is no fuel in town. Watch out for donkeys, goats and kangaroos on the road, especially at dusk.

Silverton's railway

The Silverton Tramway, a privately owned railway, linked Broken Hill and Silverton with the South Australian border at Cockburn from 1888, carrying ore to Port Pirie's smelters. Because NSW would not allow a South Australian railway to cross the border, the company built the line itself. The tramway operated until 1970, when a new standard gauge line opened. The old Silverton railway station and other relics survive, and the story is told at the Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum in Broken Hill.

Art in the desert

Silverton has long attracted artists drawn by the light and landscape. Several galleries operate in town, and the old school, church and other buildings have housed studios. Many sell paintings, photographs and sculptures inspired by the plains and the Barrier Range. Opening times vary; weekends are busiest.

Photography tips

Sunrise and sunset light up the stone buildings and the Mundi Mundi Plains in warm tones. The road to the lookout, the old church and the pub are popular subjects. Respect private property and do not fly drones near people, animals or buildings without permission.

Who it suits

Silverton suits film buffs, history lovers, artists and photographers. It is an easy half-day or full-day trip from Broken Hill, and a good stop for families, who will enjoy the donkeys and wide open spaces.

Seasonal events

Besides the Mundi Mundi Bash, Silverton hosts art exhibitions, markets and community events in the cooler months. Check with the Broken Hill visitor centre for current listings.

Day Dream Mine

North of Silverton, the historic Day Dream Mine dates from the early silver-mining era of the Barrier Ranges. Underground mine tours have been offered there in the cooler months, giving visitors a sense of the cramped and dangerous conditions miners faced. The road is unsealed in parts; check current tour times and road conditions with the Broken Hill visitor centre before going.

Penrose Park

Penrose Park, on the edge of Silverton, is a camping and picnic reserve with shady trees, a popular alternative to staying in Broken Hill. It can be busy during events; check current camping arrangements and fees before you arrive.

Wildlife on the roads

Feral donkeys, goats and kangaroos roam freely around Silverton, and some wander into town. They are part of the town's character, but they are also a road hazard, especially near dusk. Drive slowly, don't feed animals and give them space.

Time zone reminder

Like Broken Hill, Silverton keeps Australian Central Time, half an hour behind Sydney. Check tour and opening times in local time.

Silverton Gaol Museum and the Daydream Mine

Visit NSW describes the Silverton Gaol Museum as holding collections of photographs, household items, and mining and medical equipment. One of the more unusual exhibits is a "coroner's bath", where bodies were once preserved until the Sydney coroner arrived.

Outside the village, the Historic Daydream Mine offers guided underground tours through a former silver mine. Visit NSW says the mine opened in 1882, operated for almost a century and employed close to 200 people at its peak, some as young as eight. Check tour times before you drive out.

Silverton on screen and around the village

The Original Silverton Hotel displays photographs from films shot in the area, including Razorback, Mission: Impossible II, Mad Max 2 and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and has appeared in several of them. Visit NSW says the hotel has seven rooms and an all-day bistro menu. The Mad Max 2 Museum shows props, costumes and vehicles, including two Interceptors.

Look for the murals and the painted VW Beetle outside the John Dynon Art Gallery, and for works at Cowz Art Gallery and Silverton Photography. Silverton Bakery bakes its pies, cakes and bread on site.

Practical information

Silverton has very limited services — no supermarket and no fuel — so fill up in Broken Hill. Respect private property and roaming animals, including the town's donkeys. Like Broken Hill, Silverton keeps Australian Central Time.

Explore nearby

• Mutawintji National Park
• Big Things and quirky roadside attractions

The Silverton Hotel features in our guide to famous outback pubs.