Donkeys, camels and the 'Emu Man' call this 'ghost town' home

Silverton, a town in Australia's outback, is more than just a stopover for travelers heading to music festivals; it's a unique tourist destination brimming with colorful characters. Located about 25 kilometers north of Broken Hill, the village is home to a cast of memorable individuals, including a self-proclaimed "mayor, sheriff, and town drunk," a museum curator dedicated to the film "Mad Max 2," and a former police officer who now owns a camel farm.

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I like the old town because it's a ghost town, and I love the surrounding area. I love all the bush, the beautiful skies, the sunsets, the animals, everything.

Artist John Dynon, also known as the "Emu Man," is a prominent figure in Silverton. His vibrant gallery, adorned with painted bicycles and a Volkswagen Beetle, showcases his outback landscapes and whimsical emu paintings. Dynon has drawn inspiration from the region for 40 years, even though he now resides in Broken Hill. He spends most of his time in Silverton, drawn to its "ghost town" atmosphere, the natural beauty of the bush, skies, sunsets, and animals.

Dynon's most profitable week is during the Mundi Mundi Bash music festival, where he sets up a temporary shop. While he enjoys the festival, he expresses a desire for his favorite music genre, techno, to be featured. Despite this, he acknowledges the positive impact of the festival on the town and its residents.

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There's no techno … they don't bring the techno people out. But I still love all the music … it's good for the town, it's good for everybody.

Another local attraction is the "Mad Max 2" museum, housed in a metal shed decorated with characters from the 1981 film, which was shot in the area. Adrian Bennett, a passionate fan of the movie, moved from the United Kingdom to Silverton in 2009 with his wife Linda. He has created a space filled with costumes, props, and memorabilia from the film, welcoming visitors with enthusiasm.

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Sometimes dreams can come true; I just followed