Being a tourist in Broken Hill

Broken hill is like the Queensland version of Mount Isa really.  It is a big mining town in the middle of nowhere it seems.  We have had a lovely two days here and have enjoyed checking out what it has to offer.  There is a lot more than what we have been able to see, but we need to take into consideration Hamish and Kayla as this holiday is as much for them as us.  Also let's be honest, unhappy kids don't exactly make for a happy holiday!

First below are a few shots of the road trip we had coming into Broken Hill.  Just to show how vast the countryside is.

Count the trees!

 

Look some hills.

 

This one is for you Mary - a pilot car.

 

Finally, as we are coming into Broken Hill.

 

 

We first set about finding a van park and then wanted to see if we can get someone to look at our issue with the top lights.  Unfortunately (well what we thought at the time) they were extremely busy and couldn't fit us in.  So we decided to leave it and just go and set up.  Whilst setting up Jason played with the battery a bit and fixed the issue.  So luckily we didn't pay anyone to do that! 

 

 

We decided to go and check out Bell's Bar which is a 1950's milkshake bar.  It was fantastic and certainly a blast from the past.

 

Checking out the cool milkshake bar.

 

Of all the choices available, Hamish has strawberry!

 

Kayla is so funny.  As soon as Hamish is within her reach she goes for him.

 

 

Broken Hill has had quite a few famous people come from here, one being Pro Hart, so of course we visited his gallery.  There was also Jack Absalom who (if you are like me) I am sure you may never have heard of.  He did television shows on travelling in the bush in the 70's and 80's and is a very talented painter.  Jason is obviously a big fan and managed to score a photo with him, even though the photo nearly caused a marital argument between Jack and his wife.  She was trying to work out how to use our camera (I was outside with two kids).

 





 

 

On our second day we decided to check out Silverton which is really a few old buildings 25km out of town, but has featured in a few movies and lots of tv ads.  The most famous being the Mad Max movie.  However (and Jason's swears it wasn't planned) they just happen to be shooting the latest series of Australia's Next Top Model (or something like that) there this morning.  So it made it a hard to really get around and see anything as you had to dodge the entire the cast/producers/makeup artist and the truck load of people that go with a tv show.

Hamish riding around town - Jason's shot of the film crew cars!

 

Silverton Hotel - it has had various names for the ads/movies.

 

The pub had heaps of quotes hanging from the roof.  This is my favourite.

 

 

Most guys went in, most women stayed out!

Most guys would remember this.

Hamish in front of one of the cars.

The locals were extremely friendly, none more so than Hamish's friend below, who was beside us when we parked, and then followed us until we reached the pub. We were going to stop for morning tea in the local cafe but the lady was quite unfriendly and rude so we decided it wasn't worth it. It seems that some people panic at the sight of kids. We had Hamish on his bike and at one shop we were told to not take it in. Firstly give us credit, we aren't stupid, and secondly who would take an active 3 year old boy into a glass shop! These are the sorts of place we don't bother with and I am not keen to shop in. I was going to go in but just turned around and left.

The stare down.

 

Yep I have a fan.

Just past Silverton is a lookout where you can see the curvature of the earth.  I think I was literally expecting to see a more obvious curve (stupid I know) but still it was a vast outlook and I can see it in the photo (only slightly thought).

The afternoon was spent just wondering around town before heading up to the lookout over town.  I described it to Hamish that it we were going to the top of the big pile of dirt, so he packed his spade all ready to dig.  Not much digging occurred as he fell asleep on the drive there (not even 5 minutes) and slept pretty much the entire time we were up there, just waking briefly for a photo on the giant chair.  Both kids then had a big sleep in the afternoon so we just sat back and relaxed.

Kayla munching on my purse.

 

View over Broken Hill

 

Memorial for the miners who have died.

 

 

Family photo on the big chair

 

 

Jason is now busily packing up the van as much as we can do tonight as tomorrow we are heading off to the Clare Valley. If we never return from this location, don't bother coming looking as I am sure we have just settled in at a winery (or two).