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It is these essence that attract artists from around the world. It is also
this that attracts filmmakers for such films as Mad Max 2 and Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert. Yet, there is more to this desert landscape, such as the blooming
of the Sturt Desert Peas, and where rain heralds the perennial wildflowers, that
attract a myriad of birds. Wildlife include hawks, wedge-tailed eagles,
sure-footed rock euro, emus and the big reds (kangaroos).
 Then there is the history, too much to contain within the walls of a museum.
The ‘Tower Mulloch’ provide the backdrop of an industry that drove the economy
of a fledgling Federation. From the heritage lookouts, you will see the ‘Line of
Lode’, a seven kilometre strop of what was once the biggest deposit of silver,
lead and zinc in the world. There are guided mine tours, where you can view rare
and beautiful minerals, or just take a local guide walk through the city’s
history.
Mining
has been part of Broken Hill since 1883, when the first sign of wealth was
discovered by Charles Rasp, a boundary rider who patrolled the Mt Gipps fences.
He discovered what he thought were deposits of tin, but which turned out to be
silver and lead, and the discovered ore body turned out to become the largest
and richest of its kind in the world. He then set up the BHP mine with the
Syndicate of Seven. The famous BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) company left Broken
Hill in 1939 and since then a total of 14 different mining companies have made
Broken Hill their home and their fortune. At its peak in 1952, the Broken Hill
mining industry employed 6,500 people along an ore body of 7.5 km long by 250 m
wide.
From any vantage point in the city, the huge dumps and towering headframes
are reminders of the industry that provided life to the city and the importance
of the mining industry. It is from the metals and minerals found in the area
that many of the streets are named. Argent Street being the hub of the city,
with many great buildings such as the Police Station (c1890) , Courthouse
(c1890), Town Hall (c1891) and the Post Office (c1892).
Visit the Memorial to the Mullockers, Federation Drive, opposite
Delprats Mine entrance:
In the calm, silent grave they are sleeping,
Our loved ones, the dearest and best.
Hush, hushed be all sorrow and weeping,
For our loved ones are only at rest.
Mullockers Thomas Jordan (aged 19) and Leopold Campbell (aged 21) were killed
by a fall of rock in Stope A5, 500 ft level, Central Mine at 3 am on 8th
October, 1902. Because of the ground conditions, their bodies were never removed
and remain the only fatalities still entombed on the Line of Lode.
The location of the fatality was at the boundary of the South and Central
Mines at 8462 404.01E,543 192.23N. Because of safety considerations, the
memorial has been erected at the nearest accessible site.
Source:
Broken Hill Visitor
Information Centre
Check out our listing of Broken
Hill accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide
information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for
more attractions, tours, local maps and other information. |
