Photo: SCHolar44 / CC0
Perched on the edge of the outback town of Silverton, the Silverton Hotel is an iconic Aussie pub that has stood for over a century. This weathered, corrugated-iron building is a living museum of bush life, its walls plastered with memorabilia, old photos, and faded dollar bills pinned to the ceiling. It’s a place where travellers, locals, and filmmakers (the pub was famously featured in Mad Max 2) come together for a cold beer, a hearty meal, and a taste of authentic outback hospitality. The vibe is raw, dusty, and utterly unforgettable.
Highlights & What to See
- Step inside the historic pub – admire the walls covered in memorabilia, including original Mad Max props, outback artefacts, and thousands of business cards and banknotes pinned by visitors from around the world.
- Enjoy a cold drink in the beer garden – soak up the red-dirt views and the endless blue sky while mingling with locals and fellow travellers.
- Try the famous Silverton burgers – the pub is known for its generous, no-fuss counter meals, including the classic “Silverton Burger” and lamb roast on Sundays.
- Explore the surrounding ghost town – wander the dusty streets of Silverton, a former mining settlement with a handful of historic buildings, art galleries, and the eerie Silverton Cemetery.
- Check out the Mad Max 2 filming locations – the hotel itself was used as the bar scene, and the nearby Mundi Mundi Plains and the “Bartertown” set are a short drive away.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors stop for 1–2 hours to have a drink, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere. If you want to explore the town and the Mad Max sites, allocate half a day. The pub is a perfect lunch stop on a road trip from Broken Hill (about 25 minutes away) or as part of a longer outback itinerary. The late afternoon light on the Mundi Mundi Plains is spectacular, so plan to arrive before sunset.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Broken Hill – the nearest major town, with art galleries, the Living Desert sculptures, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre.
- Mundi Mundi Plains – iconic flat, red-earth plains used in Mad Max 2, perfect for sunset photography and a sense of the vast outback.
- Daydream Mine – a historic silver mine offering underground tours and a glimpse into the region’s mining past.
- Mutawintji National Park – about 130 km north, home to ancient Aboriginal rock art, gorges, and desert wildlife.
- Menindee Lakes – a series of freshwater lakes and wetlands, great for birdwatching and camping, about 110 km south-east.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Broken Hill — Steve Swayne / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mundi Mundi Plains — Public domain
- Daydream Mine — Jeremy Buckingham / CC BY 2.0
- Mutawintji National Park — John Hill / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Menindee Lakes — European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery / Attribution
- Silverton — SCHolar44 / CC0