Day 5 MacCullochs Range Rest Area - Broken Hill, NSW (253km – 3hrs)

Unfortunately we couldn't hit the road too early today as there are too many dead kangaroo's on the side of the road. We got driving at 7:40am heading for Broken Hill. We got some fuel at Wilcannia and saw the usual animals including; goats, sheep, emu's and wedged tail eagles. We arrived at Broken Hill at 10:40am. We are staying at the Broken Hill Regional Events Centre which is where they hold the horse races twice a year. It has a great camping area with grass and lots of space between the vans. After arriving we were able to talk to mum and dad and they weren't far behind us so they joined us which was very exciting. We got the vans all set-up, had lunch and then it was time to go sightseeing. Our first stop was the Tourist Info Centre and of course the kids wanted to buy everything. Whilst I mapped out our sightseeing day Rog & Josh went to the park across the road and looked at the 'Big Ant' and Kintore Headframe'. We then went to The Royal Flying Doctors and went on a tour. First we looked at the museum and the kids had fun playing with the old communication station, then we watched a movie about what they do and how they help the local remote communities and then we went for a walk around the new commications hub, an old hanger that houses the very old aircraft which they are restoring. It is such a great insight into what they do and how they help all the remote communities. Next stop was a quick visit to the Silver City Mint & Art Centre but it was on closing time so we didn't get to see much. This is where they house Ando's Big Picture which is 100 metres long & 12 metres high. We then drove to Pro Hart Gallery but had some tired kids so we just looked at the painted Rolls Royce out the front. We then drove to the Line of Lode Miners Memorial. It has a record of everyone who lost their lives whilst mining and including when, where and how. The views were very pretty over Broken Hill. There is also 'The Bench' which is an oversized park bench so we got a family photo sitting on that. Then we had to visit The Palace Hotel where Priscilla Queen of the Dessert was filmed. There are murals painted on all the walls and ceilings and there is a big silver high heel in the foyer. It was then 5pm so we thought we better get back to the caravan. As we arrived we saw 2 horses training on the track. Mum cooked a yummy roast pork and then it was time for showers and a movie. I played crib with mum & dad till late. 

I forgot to mention a tip from my dad 'Don't get Old'! Unfortunately he left his credit card at the petrol station in Wilcannia. After a few phone calls we were trying to sort out how to get it to Broken Hill. We had hoped for it to get put on the local buslink bus which arrived an hour late into Broken Hill at 11:45pm but unfortunately we stayed up for no reason as it wasn't on the bus. It was also scary driving so late with so many kangaroo's around.