Broken Hill, New South Wales
My past experience with drivers of road trains has always been a pleasurable one. I find them courteous and some with a dry sense of humour when chatting over the UHF (Channel 18 for caravaners). It just makes driving that much more of a pleasure, especially when being overtaken and getting into the practice of flashing lights and trafficators.
I flash my head lights a couple of times to let the road train know he’s clear to come back in, in front of me and he flashes his trafficators to say ‘Thanks mate’.
The route:
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Nyngan to Broken Hill is 587 kilometres
The drive will use the Barrier highway from “go to woe”. The only two things I keep a lookout for on this highway is wayward Kangaroos and road trains.
Just on signalling when on the highways. It’s common practice for caravaners to raise a finger (nicely!) to on coming caravaners and they in turn will usually respond with the same gesture. It’s like saying ‘G’day’ to fellow travellers.
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Petrol price in Wilcannia was $1.80 per litre. Up to that point it was selling for $1.47 - $1.52. In Broken Hill it was $1.51
At Wilcannia I switched my UHF radio on so I can hear the truckies, should they want to contact me on the road (Like move - I’m coming through!)
The caravan park:
Broken Hill Tourist Park
142 Rakow Street
Broken Hill
NSW 2880
Ph. (08) 8087 3841
142 Rakow Street
Broken Hill
NSW 2880
Ph. (08) 8087 3841
By the time we arrived in Broken Hill (around 3:30pm) the park was close to full. Oh, we also had to move our watches backwards 30 minutes for South Australia time (even though we were still in New South Wales)
Mobile and TV reception:
Mobile coverage is fair (Optus and Telstra broadband).
TV reception includes:
20 Digital Stations, including commercial, ABC and SBS
Rates:
$36 per night
Surrounding area:
Broken Hill is located near an abundance of National Parks and museums displaying historical artefacts and the Royal Flying Doctor Service - Visitors' Centre (A truly worthy cause to subscribe to).
Wednesday 17th July:
We split our first full day in Broken Hill into two sessions. The morning was taken up by a self guided tour of Broken Hill and the afternoon was consumed by a drive and walk-through of the 'Living Desert sculptures. (We pulled in a visit to Pro Hart's Art Gallery on the way back from the sculptures)
Wednesday morning:
Wednesday morning:
The 'Line of Lode' can be seen from almost everywhere in Broken Hill
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Wednesday afternoon (Living Desert Sculptures):
Wednesday afternoon (Pro Hart):
Thursday 18th July:
We split today up into two parts. A visit to the miners memorial at the 'Line of Lode' and the afternoon was spent at the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Would you believe I forgot to put my camera battery into the camera for the afternoon session! Anyway, all was not lost.
Thursday morning:
Miners memorial at the 'Line of Lode'
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Our first 'Photo-stop' was the entrance to the Living Desert Sculptures. Entrance to the Park was 'Honesty Pay system' which amounted to $10 per car. This was a small price to pay for the sight of the sculptures and the background information plaques for each sculpture (some were sad stories).
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Wednesday afternoon (Pro Hart):
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Thursday 18th July:
We split today up into two parts. A visit to the miners memorial at the 'Line of Lode' and the afternoon was spent at the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Would you believe I forgot to put my camera battery into the camera for the afternoon session! Anyway, all was not lost.
Thursday morning:
Miners memorial at the 'Line of Lode'
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Broken Hill miners memorial wall dating back to the mid 1800's. Fatalities were due to an abundance of reasons including falling down holes; Explosions; Rock falls. Miners were from all over Australia and overseas ages ranging from young 20 year olds to men in their 60's
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A view of Broken Hill taken from the 'Line of Lode'. Buildings just cascade into the surrounding desert area
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Broken Hill mine
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Thursday afternoon:
The rain settled in around midday so we thought we wouldn't get out, however it cleared up for us.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service
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The Royal Flying doctor service centre, Broken Hill. Once one understands just what services they provide it could well be called the Royal Flying Hospital Service. If there was ever a cause to support, it is this one.
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The staff put on a guided tour of the premises, explaining how the whole system worked. About half way through we were taken to the hanger where the aircraft were being maintained. The tour finished with the video of the work they do. It was inspiring.
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One of the many informative plaques situated around the RFDS premises
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On our return to the caravan park we hitched the caravan to the Prado to reduce the time to get ready in the morning for our drive to Port Augusta (Our first port of call in South Australia).
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