Western NSW

Twenty-five kilometers northwest of Broken Hill sits Silverton, a tiny town with a remarkable dual identity. Once a thriving silver mining center, it's now better known as one of Australia's most filmed locations.

Silverton's mining story began in the 1880s when rich silver deposits were discovered in the surrounding hills. The town quickly grew to house over 3,000 residents, complete with multiple hotels, shops, and even its own newspaper. For a brief period, it looked like Silverton might outshine its neighbor Broken Hill.

However, the silver ran out faster than expected. By the early 1900s, most residents had packed up and moved to Broken Hill where mining opportunities remained strong. Silverton became what locals call a "semi-ghost town" - not completely abandoned, but with only a handful of permanent residents remaining.

This decline, while devastating for the original community, created something unexpected: a perfectly preserved outback town that caught the attention of filmmakers. Silverton's authentic buildings, dramatic desert backdrop, and empty streets made it an ideal filming location.

The town's movie career took off in earnest with "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior" in 1981. The post-apocalyptic landscape around Silverton provided the perfect setting for the film's wasteland scenes. Since then, over 140 films and television productions have used Silverton as a location.

Major productions filmed here include "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," "Razorback," and "A Town Like Alice." More recently, international productions have discovered Silverton, with scenes for "Mad Max: Fury Road" shot in the surrounding area.

Today, visitors can explore the Silverton Hotel, which serves as both a pub and an informal museum displaying movie memorabilia and photographs from various film shoots. The hotel's walls are covered with signed photos from actors and crew members who've worked in town.

The old jail, school, and church remain standing, offering glimpses into Silverton's mining-era past. Meanwhile, the surrounding landscape continues to attract location scouts seeking authentic outback scenery.

For travelers, Silverton offers a unique combination of Australian history and film heritage. It's a place where you can stand in locations seen by millions of moviegoers worldwide while learning about the boom-and-bust cycles that shaped so many Australian towns.Les mer