Collections
Please note: The Broken Hill Outback Archives are temporarily closed to the public.
Since the early 1960’s the city's librarians had collected a considerable quantity of archival material which was kept in the city library.
This was the first dedicated area for historical material concerning Broken Hill and the development of the West Darling district.
The collection, now known as Broken Hill Outback Archives, is a regional archive centre for State Archives and Records NSW.
The archives continue to grow through generous donations from corporations, businesses, families, individuals, community groups and associations.
The collection holds significant industrial, social, and historic documentation of Broken Hill, Australia’s First Heritage Listed City, and surrounding districts such as Silverton, White Cliffs, Menindee and Wilcannia.
Donations are welcome.
Industrial, political and organisational history
The collection holds significant records from organisations, businesses and individuals.
These include items such as minute books, financial records, diaries, correspondence, photo albums, membership books, histories, biographies, registers, maps and plans, etc.
Access restrictions may apply to these records.
Social history of Broken Hill from 1883
An extensive range of local history resources are available to the researcher, including books, article files, newspapers, photographs, maps and plans.
The Outback Archives welcomes submission of life stories, memoirs and reminiscences of life in Broken Hill.
Barrier Field Naturalist Collection
The Barrier Field Naturalist Club was formed in Broken Hill in 1920. The group was founded by Dr. W.D.K. MacGillvray and Albert Morris who played a significant role in the understanding of the region’s flora and fauna.
Broken Hill City Council records
The collection holds Broken Hill City Council historic records.
These records assist in illustrating the evolution of the Broken Hill community and include photographs, minutes, reports, files, regulations, and more.
Photographic History
The collection holds a significant photographic collection relating to Broken Hill and the region.
The collection dates from the 1880’s to the present day.
Formats include glass negatives, positive prints, negatives, postcards, posters, slides, videos and DVDs.
Newspapers
Local newspapers are on microfilm and date back to the 1880’s.
Trove has digitised copies of the following years for local newspapers;
Barrier Daily Truth - 1908, 1941-1954
Barrier Miner - 1888-1954
White Cliffs Collection
The collection originated in White Cliffs and was gathered by local historian Gwen Rowe, assisted by the White Cliffs History group. The collection deposited in the Outback Archives in 2011, contains objects, photographs, books and publications, maps, research files and a few paintings.
Indigenous Collection
A collection on our local Aboriginal heritage and history.
State Archive and Records NSW
Broken Hill Outback Archives is a regional archive centre for State Archives and Records NSW. The collection holds records from a range of public offices such as Schools, Police and Local Courts, State government agencies.
The State Archives and Records NSW, a microfilm/fiche collection containing records relating to the early colonisation of Australia and subsequent development of NSW is available for use. While there are access restrictions on original state records, the Research Kit is freely available to researchers.
The Kit is made available under the Access for All program.
Contents include:
- Colonial Secretary’s Papers
- Shipping records
- Convict records
- Land records
- Coroner’s reports of Inquests
- Professional and Occupations
- Naturalisations
- Electoral rolls
- Census records
A range of links that may assist you in your research can be found here.
Visits to the Broken Hill Outback Archives may be arranged for school and community groups.
Archive staff are available for talks and presentations.
Contact the Outback Archives for more information.