Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Silver City Highway

Silver City Highway (includes Calder Highway NSW)

The Silver City Highway is a north-south thoroughfare in western NSW, linking north-west NSW & Broken Hill with Mildura & Melbourne. The highway begins at the small Murray River town of Buronga (about 5km from Mildura) where it intersects with the Sturt Highway. It then heads north-west through Dareton and Wentworth before heading north through remote pastoral districts and eventually into the Barrier Ranges where it reaches Broken Hill. From Broken Hill, the Silver City Highway continues north (but is not signposted as National Route 79) and again passes through very remote country up into the north-western corner of NSW passing through the small towns of Milparinka and Tibooburra before ending at the NSW/QLD border.

State: New South Wales
Name Origin: The term "Silver City" refers to the city of Broken Hill (where silver, zinc and lead are mined) which lies on the highway.
Start: Sturt Highway junction (Buronga)
Principal Towns: Mildura (VIC), Buronga, Dareton, Wentworth, Broken Hill, Milparinka, Tibooburra
Finish: NSW/QLD border (Warri Warri Gate - 55km north of Tibooburra)
Length: 679km
Road Standard: Buronga-Broken Hill: Bitumen, Broken Hill-NSW/QLD border: Mainly gravel with some bitumen
Road Quality: Road is generally average with the highway traversing very flat terrain with minimal traffic. A general warning for travelling on the Silver City Highway, particularly north of Broken Hill as it passes through some very remote country.
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): Buronga-Curlwaa - 110km/hr, Curlwaa-Wentworth - 100km/hr, Wentworth-Broken Hill - 110km/hr, Broken Hill-NSW/QLD Border - 100km/hr.
Road Continuation: Click here for the Calder Highway in VIC

Photos from the Silver City Highway (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

On the Sturt Hwy at Buronga approaching the Silver City Hwy junction (2004).

First distance sign on the Silver City Hwy, heading west from Buronga (2004).

On the Silver City Highway approaching the Calder Highway junction at Curlwaa (2004).

First and only distance sign for the Calder Highway in NSW as it runs for only 700 metres then continues into Victoria, Curlwaa (2004).

Kilometre sign, heading west on the Silver City Hwy from Curlwaa (2004).

Strange "distance" sign heading north on the Silver City Hwy from Wentworth. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003).

Kilometre sign on the Silver City Hwy between Wentworth and Broken Hill. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo (2003).

Distance sign on the Silver City Hwy, heading south from Broken Hill (2003).

Argent St (Barrier Hwy) heading west approaching the Silver City Hwy, Broken Hill (2003).

Iodide Street looking north on the Barrier/Silver City Hwys. Silver City Hwy heads to the right towards Tibooburra, Broken Hill (2003).

The Silver City Highway, heading north from Broken Hill - note the absence of National Route 79 markers. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo (2003).

Looking north along the Silver City Hwy with a sign indicating road conditions north of Broken Hill (2003).

Kilometre sign on the Silver City Hwy between Broken Hill and Tibooburra (2003).

Looking south along the Silver City Highway from Tibooburra. Thanks to Craig Nicholas for this photo! (2005)

Directional sign on the Silver City Hwy at Tibooburra. Thanks again to Craig Nicholas for this photo (2005).

	On the Sturt Hwy at Buronga approaching the Silver City Hwy junction (2004).
	First distance sign on the Silver City Hwy, heading west from Buronga (2004).
	On the Silver City Highway approaching the Calder Highway junction at Curlwaa (2004).
	First and only distance sign for the Calder Highway in NSW as it runs for only 700 metres then continues into Victoria, Curlwaa (2004).
	Kilometre sign, heading west on the Silver City Hwy from Curlwaa (2004).
	Strange "distance" sign heading north on the Silver City Hwy from Wentworth. Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this photo! (2003).
	Kilometre sign on the Silver City Hwy between Wentworth and Broken Hill. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo (2003).
	Distance sign on the Silver City Hwy, heading south from Broken Hill (2003).
	Argent St (Barrier Hwy) heading west approaching the Silver City Hwy, Broken Hill (2003).
	Iodide Street looking north on the Barrier/Silver City Hwys. Silver City Hwy heads to the right towards Tibooburra, Broken Hill (2003).
	The Silver City Highway, heading north from Broken Hill - note the absence of National Route 79 markers. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this photo (2003).
	Looking north along the Silver City Hwy with a sign indicating road conditions north of Broken Hill (2003).
	Kilometre sign on the Silver City Hwy between Broken Hill and Tibooburra (2003).
	Looking south along the Silver City Highway from Tibooburra. Thanks to Craig Nicholas for this photo! (2005)
	Directional sign on the Silver City Hwy at Tibooburra. Thanks again to Craig Nicholas for this photo (2005).