Silver City Highway

Stretching from the Murray River at Buronga to the mining town of Broken Hill, the Silver City Highway is a classic outback route that unfurls through arid plains, saltbush, and red dirt. This is a drive that rewards the patient traveller with immense skies, ghostly ruins, and a profound sense of isolation. The highway is sealed for most of its length, but services are sparse — fuel up and carry water. It’s a journey that connects you to the stark beauty of far-western New South Wales.

Highlights & What to See

• Broken Hill – Australia’s longest-lived mining city, with the Living Desert sculptures, the Royal Flying Doctor Service base, and a vibrant arts scene. Explore the historic town and its silver-wealth architecture.
• Menindee Lakes – A system of ephemeral lakes that attract vast birdlife; stop at the Kinchega National Park for red kangaroos and heritage woolsheds.
• Pooncarie – A tiny riverside settlement with a classic outback pub and access to the lower Darling River.
• Buronga – Just across the Murray from Mildura, this is the southern gateway, with citrus groves and the Perry Sandhills.
• Mutawintji National Park – A side trip from Broken Hill; ancient Aboriginal rock art and striking gorges in the Bynguano Range.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow at least two full days to drive the 330 km from Buronga to Broken Hill, with overnight stops at Menindee or Pooncarie. The highway is best savoured slowly — stop at every roadside rest area, watch the sunset turn the plains crimson, and chat with locals in the pubs. If you’re combining it with a visit to Broken Hill, add another day or two to explore the city and its surrounds.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Mildura (VIC) – The Murray River hub just south of Buronga, with wine regions, paddle steamers, and the Mungo National Park drive.
• Mungo National Park – The lunar-like Walls of China and ancient human history; accessible from the highway via a dirt road.
• Darling River Run – A longer self-drive itinerary that follows the Darling River from Bourke to Wentworth, linking with the Silver City Highway at Pooncarie.
• Broken Hill – The northern terminus, with the Silverton ghost town and the Mad Max Museum.
• Kinchega National Park – Adjacent to Menindee; excellent for camping, birdwatching, and historic woolsheds.

Please check official sources for current details.