Top arts & culture experiences in Broken Hill

Discover famous outback artist Pro Hart

Few places will give you a sense of the true character of Broken Hill than the Pro Hart Gallery. Born in Broken Hill in 1928, Pro Hart grew up on a nearby sheep station, was illustrating his school essays by the age of seven, worked 12-hour shifts in the mins and painted at night before going on to become perhaps Australia’s most famous outback artist. His childhood in the bush to his years labouring underground inspired his distinctive and much-loved paintings of outback life. See his drawing etchings and sculptures on everything from traditional canvases to a Roll Royce at the Pro Hart Gallery. Join an art class to learn how to paint like a Pro.

Walk through the Living Desert Reserve and Sculptures

Twenty minutes’ drive north of Broken Hill, you’ll find the stunning Living Desert and Sculptures. Created by 12 international artists in 1993, the dramatic sandstone sculptures adorn a trail through the centre of the Living Desert Reserve. This outdoor gallery also has the distinction of being one of the most photographed sites in the Australian outback. The view from Sundown Hill at sunset is not to be missed. 

Celebrate Mad Max

Just a 30-minute drive from Broken Hill, the vast Mundi Mundi Plains can feel like the end of the earth, which made it the perfect backdrop for George Miller’s 1981 post-apocalyptic classic film, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. Mel Gibson reprised his role as Max, fighting bad guys in a futuristic wasteland with his faithful blue heeler, ‘Dog’, by his side.

The spirit of Max lives on, thanks to English couple Adrian and Linda Bennett, who run the Mad Max 2 Museum at Silverton, where they show off their wild collection of original and replica items from the movie, including vehicles, props and outfits. Three things that Adrian would grab if he had to leave in a hurry? The boomerang, the music box, and the fork that Max used to eat dog food. The latest Mad Max movie, Furiosa, was also filmed around Broken Hill in 2022.

Admire masterpieces at the oldest regional gallery in NSW

Browse an impressive array of works from the 19th century to the present day at the Broken Hill City Art Gallery. With its walls covered with masterpieces by the likes of Margaret Preston and Arthur Boyd alongside Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, their collection is unparalleled. The oldest regional gallery in NSW, local artists are also showcased here including Uncle Badger Bates, a Barkindji Elder who incorporates the stories of his Country and the Barka (Darling River) in lino prints, and has been making art since his grandmother taught him to carve emu eggs and wood when he was six years old.

See art by John Dynon

Specialising in paintings of the outback, its flowers and colours, you’ll find John Dynon hard at work in the corner of the John Dynon Gallery in Silverton. The landscapes and its changing colours throughout the day inspired John’s artistic work after time spent working on sheep stations and as a minor. A colourful tin shed festooned with painted bicycles and packed with Dynon’s prints and original works, this gallery also sells souvenirs and sculptures.

Visit a very artistic shed

Showcasing the talents of established artist Dirk Romeyn, who relocated from the Blue Mountains, alongside local Indigenous artist and proud Barkandji man Brian Harris, The Shed houses a diverse array of paintings, drawings, prints and woodwork. Easily recognisable by the large mural created by Dirk, this gallery has a charming aesthetic thanks to its use of reclaimed and recycled materials. With views of Sturt Park, sit down for a cuppa for just a gold coin donation.

See the largest acrylic painting

An art gallery, silversmiths and chocolate factory all rolled into one, the Silver City Mint and Art Centre is also home to what is believed to be the world’s largest acrylic painting on canvas by a single artist. Painted by local Peter Anderson, The Big Picture is a staggering 100m long, and up to 12m high, featuring 100,000 saltbushes, 20,000 trees, 20,000 small stones, 1,000 large stones, 3,000 clouds, 1,500 hills and 12 sculptures. Visit the Chocolate Factory for some fudge and truffles, before heading to the jewellery section to peruse a selection of elegant silver jewellery made in Broken Hill. You might even see the silversmith in action.

Chat with artist Amanda Johnson 

A self taught artist and fourth generation Broken Hill resident, Amanda Johnson’s art celebrates her hometown, community and outback informing her work. Visit Willy Nilly Art where every artwork is painted by Amanda or her daughter Lauren. Browse, buy or just stop by for a chat with the artist.

Find your favourite painting by Jack Absalom

Another larger-than-life character forever associated with the Silver City is artist Jack Absalom. A South Australian who learned bush skills from Indigenous people on the Nullarbor Plain as a child, Absalom lived in Broken Hill for the last 70 years of his life. The star of ABC TV shows and the author of books on outback travel, Absalom didn’t take up painting until he was 43 when he guided artists on a tour of the outback. See a selection of Absalom’s evocative oil paintings of outback landscapes at Absalom’s Gallery in Broken Hill, as well as prints, books and an opal display.