The best tours in Broken Hill & surrounds

Learn from First Nations people 

The Darling River basin has long been home to Aboriginal people who’ve lived by the lore of the area’s interconnected waterways for generations. This ancient knowledge is vigilantly protected and passed down through families, and is a deeper way through which to immerse yourself in the spirit and significance of this stunning region. 

Wontanella Tours, led by Barkindji artists, Aunty Barbara and David Doyle, takes groups on a two-hour wander along the edge of Menindee Lakes, sharing stories, cultural sites, knowledge of endemic flora and fauna, and a yarn over billy tea along the way.  

To explore the ochre-hued gorges and rock-scattered plains of Mutawintji National Park, join the half-day Mutawintji Cultural Tour. Hear from Aboriginal guides and see significant sites with rock engravings and ochre stencils, only accessible on tours.

Take flight to discover vast beauty 

With this iconic outback city tinged with rust-red and bounded by no less than five national parks, Broken Hill is an astonishing sight from above. A frontier town of singular beauty, its deserts-edge position seems at the whim of the landscape beyond. Elevate your perspective on a scenic flight with H & A Air Outback Aviation Services, taking in a bird’s-eye view of the vein-like tributaries of Menindee Lakes, the rugged Barrier Ranges and Kinchega National Park.

Traverse the landscape by foot, hoof and tyre 

A city paved with the spoils of silver, rampant with legends, and rich with history, means that every direction you turn in Broken Hill offers a point of fascination. One of the best ways to orient yourself and burrow deeper into the past is with a free Broken Hill Heritage Walking Tour, departing from the Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre  Monday to Saturday at 10am from March to November. This volunteer-guided stroll colours the CBD’s stately buildings with stories and insights that add context to Australia’s first heritage-listed city.  

Overland Adventures offers multi-day tours and women’s eco retreats. Embark on a five-day immersive journey through the heart of the Australian outback visiting historic mining sites, rock art, Mutawintji National Park, Menindee and Mungo National Park. Opt for the three-day retreat on Country to be guided through traditional practices such as weaving, bush medicine and dances, all held on sacred ground with the guidance of cultural knowledge holders.

For sunset views over the Mundi Mundi Plains with a beer or wine, join a 4WD tour at Eldee Station. If you want to rollick along dirt roads in your own 4WD, take part in a tagalong tour of the working sheep and cattle station.

Just half an hour from Broken Hill you’ll find historic Silverton, where the village’s most famous residents are the camels, animals that have been roaming the region since the 1880s. See the sights just like Burke and Wills did on their outback expeditions with Silverton Outback Camels, where you can journey across the town on the saddle of these enormous creatures and enjoy a sunset tour.

Wonder at the waterways 

The mighty Darling River and Menindee Lakes are a nature haven, flush with birdlife that live around this vital water source. Follow in the footsteps of explorers Burke and Wills on a tour of the lakes with Broken Hill City Sights Tours. Visit Sunset Strip, find an oasis within the desert and explore the main weirs. Add an optional river boat cruise (subject to operator availability) to sail down the Darling River, winding your way past ghostly river red gums and thousands of flocking waterbirds.

See outback beauty through a lens

The captivating light, shapes and colour of the Australian desertscape make Broken Hill a photographer’s paradise. Whether you’re well-versed in shutter speeds or a novice shooter, this photogenic environment makes it easy to capture. Photographer Adam Edwards offers five-day, small group Broken Hill-based workshops, complete with access to scarcely snapped locations and expert photography advice about landscape and night sky photography.

Point a different kind of lens skyward and see the stars that shine over Broken Hill with a tour of the night sky with Outback Astronomy. Unimpeded by light pollution, just 10 minutes from town is a dark sky location with a range of sky shows throughout the year tailored to the moon phase and season. In warm weather, enjoy see constellations like Orion and Taurus with your own eyes. In winter, experience the brightest stretch of the Milky Way.

Wrap up the Silver City in one tour 

With so many incredible experiences to unearth in Broken Hill, one succinct and simple way to string them together is with a multi-day guided package with Silver City Tours. Offering eight- and five-night itineraries exploring the city, national parks, and local attractions, you’ll see the region’s essential spots, including the Palace Hotel, Silverton, White Cliffs mines, the Menindee Lakes and more. Packages include accommodation, most meals, tours and local transfers.