Far West Accommodation | Bed & Breakfast Australia

Far West

Far West NSW - a historic journey.Although named by Charles Sturt in 1844 after seeing a 'broken hill' in the Barrier Range, it was another 'Charles', Charles Rasp that first established Broken Hill as a mining capitol when he and two mates pegged out a mineral lease in 1883. 1885 saw 'the Big Australian', BHP, become incorporated and thus began the history of the town built around the world's largest silver, lead and zinc mine.Today the town with a population of 27,000 and the area, steeped in history, have much to offer as a getaway destination. There are over 30 art galleries, with works by artists inspired by the town's history and local landscapes. A visit to the most famous 'Pro Hart Gallery' is a must, whilst the 'Living Desert Flora and Fauna Reserve' exhibits fine sculpture in their desert surroundings. The Broken Hill Heritage Trail is a two hour easy sign-posted walk around many of the 19th century buildings. Or maybe drive the 'Silver Trail' of 100 historic sites. And from the past to the present, visit the now 'ghost town' of Silverton, only 25kms away. Silverton was once a mining town, but is nowadays best known as the back drop for many great Australian movies, 'Mad Max 2', 'A Town like Alice', 'Dirty Deeds' and the iconic 'Priscilla - Queen of the Desert'.Wilcannia, situated on the Darling River about 200km east of Broken Hill, has it's own rich history as a port town. The town's riverboat trade made for a prosperous town, evident today in the many heritage buildings, built with locally quarried sandstone. The Darling River runs south-south-west, leaving the Far West region of NSW, to join the Murray River on the NSW/Victoria border and is Australia's third largest river. It's meandering habits are enjoyed by a great variety of bird life and, of course, lends its' name to the Murray Darling Basin, one of the most significant agricultural areas of Australia.

Links:
Outback Tour Safaris - Broken Hill
Broken Hill Studios
White's Mineral Art Museum

Picnic Races, Louth