Silverton (NSW)

Silverton is a historic outback village approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Broken Hill in far-western New South Wales. Its surviving colonial buildings, desert setting and creative community preserve the atmosphere of a settlement that once stood at the centre of a major mining rush.

The district developed after silver-bearing ore was discovered during the 1870s and early 1880s. Silverton rapidly grew into a busy mining settlement with hotels, businesses, government buildings and thousands of residents drawn by the possibility of employment and mineral wealth.

The discovery of the much larger ore body at Broken Hill shifted mining, investment and population away from Silverton. Many buildings were dismantled or abandoned, leaving behind a small community surrounded by ruins, former mine workings and reminders of the town’s brief period of rapid expansion.

Silverton later developed a second identity through art, tourism and filmmaking. Artists were drawn to the clarity of the light and the colours of the surrounding landscape, while filmmakers recognised the visual power of the village, Mundi Mundi Plains and Barrier Ranges.

Productions filmed in and around Silverton include Australian films, television programs, advertisements and music videos. Its strongest screen association is with Mad Max 2, whose desert filming locations helped establish the region as an internationally recognised cinematic landscape.

Today, visitors can explore private galleries, museums, heritage buildings, a visitor mine, camel experiences and classic outback hospitality. Beyond the village, lookouts, creek beds, historic water infrastructure and expansive plains reveal the scale and distinctive character of far-western New South Wales.

ShowcasingOz TV will document Silverton’s mining history, artistic community, screen heritage and visitor experiences as part of its national filming journey. Following our visit, this page will be expanded with original photography, professionally produced video and additional information gathered on location.

🎥 Town Documentary

📍 Attractions

Silverton offers an unusual concentration of museums, galleries, heritage experiences, screen attractions and locally operated tourism businesses within a remarkably small outback village.

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• Historic Daydream Mine A guided underground experience through a former silver mine where visitors can learn about the difficult conditions experienced by nineteenth-century miners. Tour schedules vary seasonally, so operating times and booking requirements should be confirmed before travelling.
• John Dynon Gallery A Silverton gallery presenting original outback artwork by John Dynon. His colourful and expressive paintings capture local characters, desert landscapes and the humour associated with life in the Australian outback.
• Justin Cowz Ghost Town Art Gallery A privately operated gallery presenting the distinctive work of Silverton artist Justin Cowz. The collection draws inspiration from outback characters, abandoned places and the landscapes of far-western New South Wales.
• Mad Max 2 Museum A privately operated museum dedicated to Mad Max 2. Displays include photographs, memorabilia, costumes, life-sized figures, original material and replica vehicles connected with the film and its production around Silverton.
• Silverton Gaol and Historical Museum Located within the former 1889 gaol, this museum contains extensive collections relating to Silverton and Broken Hill. Its displays cover mining, household life, transport, medicine, local organisations, music and the experiences of people who lived across the district.
• Silverton Hotel One of Silverton’s best-known businesses, offering meals, drinks, film memorabilia and traditional outback hospitality. The historic hotel has appeared in numerous films, television productions, advertisements and photographic campaigns.
• Silverton Outback Camels A locally operated tourism business offering camel rides and visitor experiences within the Silverton landscape. Available activities can include shorter rides, sunset tours and opportunities to meet the animals at the property.
• Silverton Photography Gallery & Garden A gallery featuring photographic work inspired by Silverton, its residents and the surrounding desert environment, together with an adjoining garden and creative spaces.
• Silverton School Educational Museum Silverton’s former school preserves the history of education in the district through classroom furnishings, photographs, records and teaching materials, with educational visits available by arrangement.

🗺️ Points of Interest & Landmarks

Explore Silverton’s cinematic landscapes, mining-era cemetery, familiar local animals and historic water infrastructure while travelling through the village and its surrounding outback country.

🏨 Stay Where We Showcase — Silverton

Planning a stay in Silverton? The village provides hotel rooms and an established caravan park with cabin and room accommodation, allowing visitors to remain close to its museums, galleries and outback landscapes.

ShowcasingOz TV is designed to do more than help travellers find a place to stay. We help people discover where to go, what to experience and where to base themselves as they explore Australia’s cities, towns and hidden gems.

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Featured Accommodation Opportunities In And Around Silverton

Accommodation partners featured on ShowcasingOz TV receive premium exposure through professionally produced video, photography and destination-led storytelling that places their property in front of travellers actively planning where to stay.

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Other Accommodation In And Around Silverton

This list is provided for visitor awareness only. Inclusion does not imply partnership or endorsement. Booking buttons open Booking.com search results and availability may vary. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a booking, at no extra cost to you.