Broken Hill is a city that has reinvented itself. It's a city basking in a colourful history - from its early origins as a place on the edge of the central desert, where vast riches in minerals were drawn from its very foundations to a vibrant and commercial, arts, and tourism centre.

In 1883 a boundary rider named Charles Rasp stumbled across an outcrop of minerals that was to eventually develop into the richest mining seam of silver, lead and zinc that the world has ever seen. A thriving community developed in this remote outpost that had no water, no roads no rail, and very few services.

Life today stands in stark contrast to the early days. Broken Hill boasts community infrastructure that is the envy of many larger communities. A short stroll down Argent Street will reveal the strength and wealth on which Broken Hill was built. It was in Broken Hill that the trade union movement became truly organised and the mines have been the location of some long and lengthy industrial disputes. There is much more harmony these days between employers and employees and strikes are rare.

Broken Hill is now a hub for a very rich tourism Industry. Along with its own attractions including a large art industry, it is the hub for the diverse outback tourism experiences of the region with excellent transport options of rail, road and air. The Broken Hill region, being the closest part of the 'outback' to the demographic centre of Australia and to our major international gateways, is known as the ACCESSIBLE OUTBACK.

Broken Hill is a unique place with a unique subculture of the friendliness of the bush, the camaraderie of the union movement and the interdependence of remote living.