From Silver City to Sunraysia: Broken Hill & Mildura in 12 Days

Discover the rugged charm of Broken Hill, steeped in history, heritage and character against a backdrop of vast blue skies and a rocky red earth.  Explore its mining past and art scene at galleries honouring local legends.

 Tour the sun-kissed region of Mildura, boasting flourishing citrus groves and a National Park that will reward us with a great sense of adventure – all without working too hard at it.

Day 1: (D) PORT MACQUARIE TO DUBBO                       

Monday 13 October 2025

Join us on our journey to explore Broken Hill nestled in outback NSW and the Murray River regional town of Mildura and their surrounds.  As we prepare for departure, settle comfortably into your seats and meet your fellow travellers. We travel via the Hunter Valley, stopping for lunch along the way before arriving at our first overnight destination of Dubbo.

Oxley Motel Dubbo | 1 night

Lunch at own cost | Dinner at Hotel

Day 2: (BLD) DUBBO TO COBAR                            

Tuesday 14 October

Relishing the morning air, we venture into the serene expanse of the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden. Here an impressive array of native and exotic flora awaits, inviting us on a journey through its themed gardens. Amidst the botanic splendour is the tranquil haven of the Shoyoen Japanese Garden, a gift from Dubbo’s sister city Minokamo in Japan. Shoyoen translates to strolling and refreshing so we’ll do just that, admiring the authentic Japanese elements such as The Pond, Wooden Bridges, The Rock Garden and the Four-Eyed (bamboo) Fence. Departing town, we now head to Nyngan where we’ll break for lunch before resuming our drive and pressing onward to the mining town of Cobar.  Prior to checking into our accommodation, we drive to the viewing platform of Fort Bourke Hill Lookout for incredible views of the town and an open cut mine.

Copper City Motel Cobar | 1 night

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch in Nyngan

Day 3: (BLD) COBAR TO WHITE CLIFFS                               

Wednesday 15 October

This morning, we take a fascinating journey through Cobar’s rich history spanning from the time of the local Aboriginal people to the mining era with a guided town tour. Afterwards we visit the Great Cobar Museum, where we’ll be immersed in an impressive array of artefacts and exhibits dating back to the early 1870s. The museum perfectly captures the essence of Cobar revealing the diverse local heritage. With an early lunch under our belts, we take to the road and travel across the vast outback plains to the unforgettable and remote Opal mining town of White Cliffs. Here we check into our underground motel and freshen up for dinner.

Underground Motel White Cliffs | 1 night

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch in Cobar

Day 4: (BLD) WHITE CLIFFS TO BROKEN HILL                 

Thursday 16 October

The arid, almost lunar landscape of White Cliffs is dotted with thousands of disused opal diggings, showcasing a palette as splendid as any classic Australian outback scene in changing light. The first Opal lease was granted in 1890 and by 1899 the fields were supporting 4500 people. We begin our exploration with a guided tour of this unique place. We also have the chance to look through the Opal showroom followed by lunch at the Red Earth Opal Café. Loading the coach, the open road unfolds before us, guiding us towards Broken Hill. As we near, the dramatic and rugged scenery will welcome us into our destination of Broken Hill where we’ll settle comfortably into our hotel, unpacking and preparing for an enriching stay over the course of the next four nights.

Hilltop Motel, Broken Hill | 4 nights

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch in White Cliffs

Day 5: (BD) BROKEN HILL                         

Friday 17 October

Broken Hill embodies the essence of the Australian outback, blending the remnants of a prosperous mining era with its vibrant contemporary culture. Led by a seasoned local expert, we’ll be guided through this remarkable town revealing its hidden treasures.  We begin with the awe-inspiring Line of Lode, a monumental strip where silver, lead and zinc deposits once reigned supreme. Towering above us this imposing structure stands as a testament to the town’s mining heritage. At the top we find the Miners Memorial, a poignant tribute to those who helped support the pursuit of progress.  Venturing to the Silver City Mint and Art Centre, a masterpiece awaits us. The Big Picture is an expansive acrylic painting transporting us into a world of boundless skies and ancient riverbeds, dotted with majestic gum trees leading our gaze towards the distant Flinders Ranges. Afterwards explore Argent Street and purchase lunch – perhaps wander through the Palace Hotel used for the Bar scenes in the movie ‘Priscilla - Queen of the Desert’. Our day concludes with visits to the art galleries of Jack Absalom and Pro Hart where we can honour these legendary ‘Brushmen of the Bush’. The surrounding countryside, with its vibrant light and awe-inspiring landscapes, has long been a muse for artists, contributing to the fame that Broken Hill proudly holds.

Breakfast and dinner at Hotel | Lunch at own cost

Day 6: (BLD) MORE OF BROKEN HILL                  

Saturday 18 October

Our adventure today commences at the Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum complex, housed within the magnificent original 1905 station building. Explore the fascinating exhibits showcasing the heritage of the Silverton Tramway Company, as well as the Broken Hill Migrant Heritage Museum and Hospital Museum. From here we head to the airport to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base, where we’ll enjoy a guided tour of this vital facility. Experience firsthand the life-saving work of the Royal Flying Doctors and immerse yourself in the history and operations of this iconic service. Lunch awaits at Bells Milk Bar, a beloved establishment with roots tracing back over a century as a confectionery store. Amongst the nostalgia, we indulge in a delicious lunch from a menu that will evoke memories of a simpler time.    The afternoon leads us to the engaging Geo Centre. Greeted by mesmerising displays, the minerals, gems and intriguing artefacts that all shed light on the rich mining history of Broken Hill.

Breakfast and Dinner at Hotel | Lunch at Bells Milk Bar

Day 7: (BLD) SILVERTON                            

Sunday 19 October

A magnet for production crews from across the globe, this morning we are off to explore the intriguing town of Silverton. The virtual ghost town has attracted film crews such as Mad Max 2 and Priscilla Queen of the Desert with commercials being shot here often. At the Silverton Gaol and Historical Museum echoes of the past reverberate through the rooms as we uncover the tales of its history. Making our way to Beyond 39 Dips, this delightful craft shop is brimming with glass and leather creations inspired by the light of the outback. An amusing detail of the shop’s name is that there are 39 dips in the road between Broken Hill and Silverton. Not far is the Mundi Mundi Lookout perched on the edge of the vast plains that stretch across the width of the outback.  The seemingly endless horizon will show the curvature of the earth on a clear day. Pausing for lunch at the Silverton Pub, we might encounter the Silverton donkeys. These friendly, albeit mischievous, creatures have become a fixture in the town and are very happy to say hello to visitors. On our return to town, we drop by the Historic Daydream Silver Mine. The past comes alive as we drive along the road through Appollyon Valley thinking “how did they find this mine?”. Then coming over the hill we view the magnificent smelter built by the Daydream Mining Association and used by Broken Hill. A guided tour will welcome us to the mine site including a surface inspection. Our final stop is to view the Living Desert Sculptures. Amidst the skyline, thirteen magnificent sandstone sculptures stand proudly atop Sundown Hill, offering a connection to the surrounding landscape. As the sun descends, casting its glow over these sandstone creations,

we’ll enjoy drinks and nibbles * and the magical views before us. A wonderful way to finish our Broken Hill touring. Back at our hotel, we have a slightly later dinner.

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch in Silverton

*drinks/nibbles arranged by Port Bus

Day 8: (BLD) BROKEN HILL TO MILDURA                           

Monday 20 October

We bid farewell to our hosts and set course southward to the Sunraysia district of Mildura. Embracing its well-deserved title, Mildura basks in an abundance of sunshine, creating the perfect haven for citrus crops of oranges and the cultivation of grapes. At Orange World we embark on a guided tour wandering the grounds adorned with avocado tree and a variety of citrus fruits.  Hopping aboard the tractor train we’ll be entertained by our guide and his juicy sense of humour. With our picnic lunches in tow, we venture to Red Cliffs to marvel at Big Lizzie, a large traction engine that once tirelessly cleared Mallee scrub in the desert. A true feat of engineering, Big Lizzie’s epic journey from Melbourne to Red Cliffs in 1917 spanned two years.  Continuing our exploration, we visit the Psyche Pumping Station, built at Psyche Bend in 1891 to cater to the irrigation needs of the settlement.  While the original steam-powered pump has long been replaced by an electric one, the meticulously restored pump house still stands as a testament to ingenuity, boasting the oldest pump configuration of its kind in the world. Welcomed to our Mildura accommodation, we have some time at leisure prior to dinner.

Mildura Inlander Resort | 2 nights

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Picnic Lunches supplied

Day 9: (BLD) MUNGO NATIONAL PARK               

Tuesday 21 October

Today we take a giant leap back in time to enjoy an exciting day with a local expert exploring remarkable Mungo National Park which sits within the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. This area is rich with aboriginal history and significant archaeological discoveries. Walk the Walls of China, explore the historic woolshed and be amazed at the landscape from a lookout. Late afternoon we return to Mildura after a wonderful day exploring Mungo National Park.

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch included

Day 10: (BLD) MILDURA TO WAGGA WAGGA                  

Wednesday 22 October

Following a slightly earlier breakfast, we depart Mildura and begin our journey across the expansive Hay Plain. Our first stop of the day is in Balranald, where we pause for a break at the Balranald Discovery Centre. Later, we reach Hay, where we indulge in lunch at Shear Outback. This acclaimed tourist and educational facility offers a range of experiences, including the Australian Shearers Hall of Fame. The innovative centre provides insights into the fascinating world of shearing and its cultural significance.  As the afternoon unfolds, we head to our destination of Wagga Wagga to unwind after a day filled with exploration and discovery.

Quality Hotel Rules Club Wagga | 1 night

Breakfast & Dinner at Hotel | Lunch in Hay

Day 11: (BLD) WAGGA WAGGA TO BATHURST

Thursday 23 October

Making our way via Junee to Cootamundra, we take a morning break to visit Bradman Cottage. Standing in the room where Sir Donald Bradman was born in 1908, the cottage now contains memorabilia of Sir Don, of cricket and of the Cootamundra district. The local Jubilee Park plays host to bronze sculptures of Australian Test Cricket Captains, along with Unaarrimim the leading aboriginal player in the first Australia Cricket team to tour England in 1868. Having worked up an appetite, we continue through to Wallendbeen to visit Yandilla & Co, once the Yandilla Seed Company. We enjoy a delicious lunch of artisan food and some time to wander the diverse range of homewares and bespoke gifts. Settling back into our seats, we resume our travels, bound for Bathurst. Upon arrival, we take a moment to relax before our final dinner on tour.

Rydges Mt Panorama Bathurst | 1 night

Breakfast & Dinner at the Hotel | Lunch in Wallendbeen

Day 12: (BL) BATHURST TO PORT MACQUARIE

Friday 24 October

From Bathurst we travel through Rylstone and the Bylong Valley, nestled between the dramatic Wollemi and the forested Goulburn River National Parks. Reaching the Upper Hunter Valley, we break for lunch in Denman then meander our way through to the coast. As we approach the final stretch of our journey to Port Macquarie, we have time to reflect on the memories and experiences made during our tour.

Breakfast at Hotel | Lunch in Denman

Tour Inclusions

•              11 night’s motel accommodation

•              11 motel breakfasts

•              11 motel dinners

•              10 included lunches – see below

•              Visit Shoyoen Sister City Garden, Dubbo

•              Lunch at the Nyngan RSL Civic Club

•              Locally guided tour of Cobar

•              Entry to museum, Guided walking tour 'Curator Talk' and lunch at The Great Cobar Museum

•              Guided mine tour, demonstration and lunch at the Red Earth Opal Café, White Cliffs

•              Locally guided tour of Broken Hill

•              Guided tour including Big Picture viewing at Silver City Mint & Art Centre

•              Entry to the Jack Absalom Gallery, Broken Hill

•              Entry to the Pro Hart Gallery, Broken Hill

•              Entry to museums at the Sulphide Street Railway & Historical Museum, Broken Hill

•              Guided tour at the Royal Flying Doctor Service

•              Lunch at Bells Milk Bar, Broken Hill

•              Entry to the Geo Centre, Broken Hill

•              Entry to the Silverton Gaol Museum

•              Visit Silverton Visitor Information Centre & Beyond 39 Dips

•              Lunch at the Silverton Hotel

•              Surface Tour at the Historic Daydream Silver Mine

•              Entry to the Living Desert Sculptures

Tour Inclusions     continued

•              *Sunset Drinks and Nibbles at Sculptures - Port Bus arrangement

•              Picnic lunch from the Hilltop Motel, Broken Hill

•              Tour and Tasting at Orange World, Mildura

•              Touring to see Big Lizzie and Psyche Pumps, Mildura

•              Full day guided tour of Mungo National Park including morning tea and picnic lunch using Port Bus coach, Guide from Discover Mildura Tours

•              Visit the Discovery Centre at the Balranald Discovery Centre & Museum

•              Entry and lunch at Shear Outback, Hay

•              Morning tea and entry to the Bradman Cottage, Cootamundra

•              Lunch at Yandilla & Co. Tea House & Homewares

•              Lunch at the Denman Hotel

$4,589 pp twin | $5,689 pp single | $800 pp deposit

For more information or to book;

Phone   02 6583 3330

Email:  admin@portbus.com.au

Website:             https://www.portbus.com.au

Please Note

•              Price is based on a minimum of 30 passengers. If numbers fall below 30 paying passengers, this tour may need to be recosted.

•              Price is valid for above tour dates only and includes GST.

•              Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided. Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

42 days or more—loss of deposit

29-41 days:  50% of fare plus deposit

30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.