27 Jun 2026

 27 Jun 2026

Slow and steady start to the day today, as not going anywhere other than around the Broken Hill area, which makes for a bit of a rest day break from driving. The car will appreciate not doing a long-distance drive for a day too, I am sure, as it isn't running quite right and seems to be losing power. It is still going ok though, so all good. Quite a fog rolled in overnight as well. 

Another motel guest came in late yesterday and had a bit of a chat with him this morning; it seems he hit a kangaroo on the way into Broken Hill last evening. We checked the car over, and it looks like most of the damage would be easily fixed, even to the extent that the car looked like it would be drivable for him to get home, though a closer look at the transmission cooler showed a small fracture, so maybe not. I left him to ponder the situation. Saturday in Broken Hill, there is definitely no way he is seeing a mechanic today, or tomorrow either, unfortunately.

Foggy morning and roo damaged Great Wall 

   I went for a wander through the town looking for somewhere likely for breakfast and managed to pull up at The Silly Goat for a hot chocolate and Turkish eggs. Managed to get a few fog-shrouded pics around the streets as I wandered back to the motel too.

The Palace Hotel (if anyone remembers Pricilla, Queen of the Desert)

Broken Hill Court House and Soldier's Memorial

Quiet on the main street this morning

Have to say that tomorrow I am supposed to be driving the 330 kilometres to Tibooburra, but the weather forecast is looking grim, 8-20 mm of rain expected. Not sure it would be worth the drive up there just to be stuck in a small hotel room due to rain and then drive the 330 kilometres back to Broken Hill and add another three hundred or so more to get to Mildura. Something to think about.

Anyway, morning drive out to Silverton for a look. Home of the Mad Max Museum and the Silverton Hotel, not to mention quite a few artists as well. The road is very undulating, up and down like a roller coaster, with lots of areas that could easily be cut with just a little rain. A really good run, though, as it is all sealed and there was no traffic, given it was very foggy and early (ish). 

Then a quick drive 5.5 kilometres out to the Mundi Mundi lookout. Not the world's most compelling lookout view, but nice enough. Perhaps the most exciting part was the break in the cloud cover, with some blue starting to creep through.

From here, a turnaround and back through Silverton to Broken Hill, as I wanted to check out the Living Desert State Park sculptures. A symposium of international sculptors created the works from 53 tonnes of sandstone brought into the park from Wilcannia in 1993. It costs $10 to get into the park, and you can drive right to the top of the hill where the sculptures are, or you can park below and walk the 1kilometre up to view them. I drove the car up, and it really highlighted the lack of power the car is experiencing, as it was a 1st gear climb to get up there; something is definitely wrong.

The sculptures are definitely well worth a visit, though given they are carved from sandstone, the weather has "taken the edge" off a few of the pieces, but it is well worth the time to see them.

There were only about 10 people up there when I arrived (and the skies had cleared up nicely too), though they had all left soon, and I had the place to myself, which was great.

and a great view back towards Broken Hill too.

Back to town and an afternoon checking the car over (not an idea as to why the loss of power, hopefully not the head gasket going yet again!) and walking the streets, had a very brief look in the Silver City Mint and Art Centre. The weather is looking worse for Tibooburra tomorrow, 10 to 35 mm of rain expected, so that part of the trip will have to wait for another time, unfortunately. So I have cancelled the accommodation for Tibooburra and moved Mildura forward a night, so overall I will be home again on the 29th instead of the 30th. Had a very nice dinner at The Kitchen on Argent St, it was madly busy, even the staff were surprised how busy they were. Then back to the room for the night. Mildura tomorrow.