Silverton is about as far west as I can travel on bitumen in NSW being only a few kilometres from the SA border. All that I had spoken to that had visited said that it is a must see place and I agree, I loved it. I would say it is about as "Outback" as a town can be. From the desolate road in to the red dust and absolutely no water anywhere. In fact one local Lady that I spoke to said that the last rain was about 15mm last May, almost exactly a year ago.
Silverton I felt had a lot to offer even if there are only about 12 or so buildings in total. It calls itself a "Ghost Town" with only 60 residents but is in realty a popular Tourist destination. The village is now managed by the Silverton Village Committee, which includes members of the local community and two Government departments. There are a couple of Art Galleries, a Cafe, an old Gaol and School Museums and the famous Hotel. You may already know that Silverton's iconic outback nature has been attractive for tha makers of many movies and countless TV commercials. Did you know that Mad Max 2 ( which I believe was the first), A Town Like Alice, Wake in Fright, Race The Sun, Last Days of Chez Nous, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mission Impossible 11, Razor Back, Dirty Deeds and Reckless Kelly where all made or partially shot around Silverton. And the Town takes advantage of that fact, the Hotel proudly boasting that it featured in most if not all of them. I can see why it is what we all expect an outback Pub to look like. It is open for business and I had a meal of Bangers and Mash there.
The Hotel c1884
Council Chambers c1889
An Art Gallery built by a Miner by hand c1880s.
Some nice artwork but no Photos allowed.
A trip to the Gaol Museum was well worth the $3 admission. Inside was a wonderful collection of items from all aspects of 1880s to early 1900s. Each cell had been filled with artefacts with an explanation for everything. If you ever get to Silverton you must visit the Gaol.
Now for a bit of History. When persistent searching by Prospectors around the Barrier Ranges resulted in the discovery of Silver and Lead there was a need for a Town and Silverton was born. The Township, surveyed in 1883 (and proclaimed on 20th April 1885) provided all the commercial requirements for the district. In September 1883 the population was 250 and peaked in 1885 at 3000.
The Silverton Municipal Council was formed in October 1886 and held it's inaugural meeting in 1887, at the Council Chambers that still exist. In 1888, the Silverton Tramway Company opened a line linking with the SA rail line to the newly found Broken Hill field. Repeated requests to the NSW Government to lay the line were denied, so Australia's first privately owned Rail Company was formed.
As Broken Hill's larger mines were established, Silverton fell into decline.The Municipal Council ceased operation in 1899 and Silverton came under the control of the NSW Government. With building materials in short supply, many of Silverton's buildings were dismantled and transported to Broken Hill on jinkers pulled by teams of Camels, Bullocks or Donkeys.
The Cars of Silverton
And finally to Penrose Park, established in 1937 as a recreation area for the local Miners and their families. A large Caravan Park with basic facilities and almost nobody else there. I really enjoyed the outback atmosphere, very little grass and heaps of red dust. Less than a kilometre from Silverton's Main Street it had a feeling that complemented the Town and it was cheap at $14 per night with Power. I eventually spent three days here. Although Toilets etc are basic there is a lot of potential here, a well equipped playground for kids, some shady areas and even a Tennis Court. The your Caretaker was friendly and only wanted all to have a pleasant stay.
An Evening at Penrose Park Silverton
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