Your stay — The Imperial
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The Property — The Imperial
The Imperial is a solid, no-nonsense 3-star pub-hotel on Argent Street. The lobby smells of beer, carpet polish and old wood, with a long bar just off reception and a small TAB area buzzing with locals. It suits budget travellers, grey nomads and solo miners needing a clean room and a cold beer without fuss — the dining room does a proper pub steak and the verandah is prime people-watching territory.
Chronicles of Broken Hill
Broken Hill was founded in 1883 after a boundary rider discovered a massive silver-lead-zinc deposit on Mount Gipps Station. It boomed as a mining town, its grid of iron-roofed cottages spreading across the arid plain, and by the early 1900s was one of Australia's wealthiest cities. Culturally, it's known for a fierce independent streak — it's the only Australian city to use its own time zone (Central Summer Time, 30 minutes ahead of Sydney) — and for its long association with the outback artist Pro Hart and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Today its population of around 17,000 is down from a peak of 30,000, but it retains a gritty, proud identity as a living mining town and a gateway to the Barrier Ranges.
Best Time to Visit
Full Broken Hill guide →Best months
April and May for crisp autumn days, comfortable nights and fewer flies, plus September when the wildflowers bloom and temperatures are mild.
Peak / festival surge
October is peak month: the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash (a big off-road rally) and school holidays pull crowds. Hotel prices spike 30–40% above low-season rates. Book The Imperial well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer mild weather, thinner crowds and room rates often 20% cheaper than peak. Winter (June–August) is another budget option — freezing mornings but clear skies.
Weather & packing
Broken Hill sits in a semi-arid zone with huge daily temperature swings — June mornings can be 2 °C, afternoons 18 °C. Pack layers: a warm fleece or jacket for dawn and dusk, plus sunglasses and a hat for the midday sun.
Live City Briefing — Broken Hill
- The Silver City Highway north of Broken Hill is undergoing resurfacing until mid-2026 — expect slow zones and potential delays of up to 20 minutes between the city and the South Australian border.
- The Palace Hotel, famous for its Mad Max 2 rooftop scenes, reopened its rooftop bar in February 2026 after a two-year heritage restoration — worth a drink for film buffs.
- Due to La Niña conditions, the Barrier Ranges have had heavier than usual autumn rains, so local wildflower displays (especially along the Silverton Road) may persist into late June — check the Visitor Centre for current hotspots.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Imperial, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a ground-floor room at the front of the hotel (facing Sulphide Street) for a quieter stay. The street can be noisy, but the ground floor rooms are closer to the main street and might receive less traffic noise from nearby Chloride Street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as there is no lift and you'll need to navigate stairs. Also, be aware that the main entrance has a single step, which might be a challenge for guests with mobility issues.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Sulphide Street doesn't offer any notable views. You'll likely see more of the surrounding buildings and streets.
Quietest floors
Ground floor
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some traffic noise from Sulphide Street, which can be busy during the day. The hotel's location is also close to the nearby Broken Hill Council Car Park, so you might hear some noise from the car park.
Insider tips
Request a free parking space as soon as you arrive, as the spaces are unmarked and on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're planning to stream content, consider upgrading to the premium WiFi tier ($10 per 24 hours) for a faster and more reliable connection.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Imperial
Free basic WiFi is included for all guests—speed is adequate for browsing and email (about 5 Mbps). A premium tier ($10 per 24 hours) offers up to 25 Mbps for streaming. No login constraints, just a simple password from reception.
There is no lift; all rooms are on the ground and first floors accessible by stairs only.
No digital newsstand or physical papers. The hotel's building dates from 1905 and retains original pressed-metal ceilings and a historic front bar.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00 until 17:00 costs $30, subject to availability.
Available free of charge behind the front desk during your stay or for a few hours after checkout.
The main entrance has a single step. No wheelchair-accessible rooms; no step-free access to the first floor. Guests with mobility issues should request a ground-floor room at booking.
Free on-site parking available for guests (unmarked spaces, first-come, first-served). No valet or EV charging. Nearest public car park is the Broken Hill Council Car Park on Chloride Street, $5 per day.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. A $50 security deposit hold is placed on your card at check-in, released at checkout if no extras.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Peter's Anglican Church (532 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral (839 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Silver City CRC (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Westside Plaza — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Sturt Park — 480 m · ~6 min walk
Synagogue Of The Outback Museum — 862 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Outback Pharmacies / CP Peoples Chemist — 571 m · ~7 min walk
My Local Store — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Broken Hill — 739 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Major banks and Australia Post offer fair rates; avoid the small exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist information office — they add high commissions.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere; contactless (tap-and-go) is the norm; American Express is less common; mobile pay works at most readers.
Not expected. Round up a taxi fare or leave small change if service is exceptional. Restaurants and bars do not require tips; hotel staff do not expect them.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular takeaway flat white or long black from a local café costs about AUD 4.50.
A meat pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink, roughly AUD 8–10.
A basic pub main (e.g. chicken schnitzel or pasta) around AUD 20–25.
Not a strong street-food scene. For cheap eats head to the main street's bakeries or the RSL club bistro for low-cost meals.
Woolworths and Coles in the town centre are the main budget supermarkets; IGA has higher prices.
Best for basics: Target and Kmart on the edge of town; op shops (Vinnies, Salvos) on Argent Street for second-hand bargains.
Walking is best for the compact centre. A local bus (Busabout) single ride is about AUD 2.50; no airport shuttle — taxi to town costs roughly AUD 20–25.
Buy beer and wine at a bottle shop (Dan Murphy's) rather than a pub — huge markup. Skip the overpriced 'tourist mine' and visit the free Line of Lode Miners Memorial instead. Fill a water bottle at public taps — bottled water is expensive.
Good to know — Broken Hill
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
Broken HillFor police, ambulance or fire in Broken Hill, dial Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent police matters, call 131 444. The Broken Hill Police Station is at 252 Blende Street, phone +61 8 8087 1999.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Broken Hill, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Imperial
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Outback Pharmacies / CP Peoples Chemist — 571 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Broken Hill Railway Station (1 km from motel) → Sydney Central (or Dubbo/Orange connecting services)
💡 Book the 'Country Comfort' seat well ahead – it's roomier. From the motel, it's a 15-minute walk or a $8 taxi ride to the station. Bring snacks; the buffet car is erratic.
Broken Hill Airport (BHQ) → Charles Rasp Motor Inn
💡 Call the shuttle company at least 24 hours ahead – they can drop you right at the motel's reception door. Cash only, so have $20 ready.
Broken Hill Airport (BHQ) → Broken Hill Outback Resort
💡 Cheaper than a regular taxi if you're solo. Call a day before to confirm timing.
Broken Hill city centre (Post Office stop) → Broken Hill Outback Resort
💡 No direct service from the airport on this route. Useful for day trips from the Resort into town—get the driver to stop near the resort turnoff.
Blende Street (nearest stop to motel) → Broken Hill CBD (Sulphide Street)
💡 Buy a $6 all-day pass from the driver – useful if you're visiting the Palace Hotel or Living Desert. The motel is a 5-minute walk from the Blende Street stop; no Sunday service so plan around it.
Broken Hill Airport (BHQ) → Broken Hill Outback Resort
💡 Book ahead if your flight arrives late. Cash is useful; some drivers won't take card.
Broken Hill Airport (BHQ) → Charles Rasp Motor Inn
💡 Airport taxis are scarce after 9pm – pre-book via 08 8087 2555. For short hops into town, flag one on Argent Street near the motel; it's a flat rate zone so no meter panic.
Broken Hill Airport (BHQ) → Broken Hill Outback Resort
💡 Bus stop near airport entrance—no shelter. The Resort is a 10-min walk from the 'Outback Resort' stop on Argent Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Imperial?
Request a ground-floor room at the front of the hotel (facing Sulphide Street) for a quieter stay. The street can be noisy, but the ground floor rooms are closer to the main street and might receive less traffic noise from nearby Chloride Street.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Imperial?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as there is no lift and you'll need to navigate stairs. Also, be aware that the main entrance has a single step, which might be a challenge for guests with mobility issues.
Is The Imperial noisy?
Be prepared for some traffic noise from Sulphide Street, which can be busy during the day. The hotel's location is also close to the nearby Broken Hill Council Car Park, so you might hear some noise from the car park.
Which rooms have the best views at The Imperial?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Sulphide Street doesn't offer any notable views. You'll likely see more of the surrounding buildings and streets.
What are insider tips for staying at The Imperial?
Request a free parking space as soon as you arrive, as the spaces are unmarked and on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're planning to stream content, consider upgrading to the premium WiFi tier ($10 per 24 hours) for a faster and more reliable connection.
What time is check-in at The Imperial?
Check-in at The Imperial is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Imperial have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi is included for all guests—speed is adequate for browsing and email (about 5 Mbps). A premium tier ($10 per 24 hours) offers up to 25 Mbps for streaming. No login constraints, just a simple password from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Imperial?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Imperial?
A meat pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink, roughly AUD 8–10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Imperial?
Walking is best for the compact centre. A local bus (Busabout) single ride is about AUD 2.50; no airport shuttle — taxi to town costs roughly AUD 20–25.
When is the best time to visit Broken Hill?
April and May for crisp autumn days, comfortable nights and fewer flies, plus September when the wildflowers bloom and temperatures are mild.
Top Attractions in Broken Hill
💡 Go on a Thursday morning when the magistrate is sitting – you can watch from the public gallery. The stained-glass ceiling is worth a look.
💡 Entry is donation-based, so pop a few coins in the box. The attached shop sells original prints for under $50.
💡 Bring your own water—there’s a tap but it’s not always on during drought. The best picnic spot is under the big river red gums at the south end.
💡 Bring a torch for the small mining museum underneath (free, but unlit). The walk is 800m round trip, wheelchair accessible.
💡 Go just before sunset—the desert light turns the memorial and the city below gold. There's free parking and a small museum (paid) next door if you want more context.
💡 Drive to the start of Ridgeview Loop (loose gravel road, fine for 2WD in dry weather). Do the walk early morning to avoid heat. The sculptures are unlit at night, so bring a torch if you want dusk photos.
💡 Walk the 2km loop trail from the car park; the sunset colours on the sculptures are far better than midday glare. No water on site, so bring your own.
💡 Check their website for free entry days—often on the first Saturday of the month. The gallery shop sells quality prints and books at reasonable prices.