Silverton – New South Wales
It came up on my Facebook today – a reminder that I was in Silverton, New South Wales December in 2012. It brought back a lot of memories.
Over the years our family had driven from Brisbane to Adelaide on many occasions to see my parents and sister. We’d do it in almost record time as my husband liked to get from A to B asap. Perhaps so he could then have a glass of wine or beer (or two or more!)
We’d often leave Brisbane late on Friday afternoon, and reach Adelaide sometime the following afternoon.
I always wanted to stop and do some sightseeing, but it was hard to convince my husband. I drove too – and we often drove through the night non-stop.
When later, in 2012, when I was on my own, I chose to sightsee along the way.
Broken Hill and Silverton
We did sometimes get to see some things in Broken Hill, and I do recall a quick visit to Pro Hart’s Art Gallery.
On my own, I stayed overnight, I think for two or three nights and explored the city. I went down into the big mine, and I visited Silverton. It had been on my bucket list for such a long time. I stayed overnight in a cabin in the caravan park there. I was the only person there as no-one stays there during the hot and dry summer, apparently.
That’s when I met Jack. Watch the video to hear Jack and I in conversation.
Silverton and Its History
Despite the town being fairly small these days, with around 50 residents, it is a town full of history. Read all about it here.
I drove around all the old buildings, visited the pub, made famous by the movie “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, and also booked into a tour of one of the mines out of Silverton. I had no idea how difficult it would be – climbing through the mine. But I kept up with the touring group, and made it safely outside. But my legs wouldn’t work. I managed to slowly walk to my car after the tour ended, but it was to be around 2 or 3 days before my legs recovered. Message to self – “Never do an Underground Mine Tour again!”
I will have to do a search for other photos – but one that appeard on FB today, was of one of the stone “huts” that the young Welsh boys lived in way back in the early days of mining in Silverton. These poor boys were brought out to Australia to work in the mines and so many of them went back blind as a result. Terrible story.
There are good things and not so good things to remember from my visit there. Meeting Jack was special, and I am so glad that I recorded our meeting.
Hoping for more happy travels in 2020.