Broken Hill is the first city to make it onto Australia's National Heritage List.
The heritage listing recognises the towns rich mining heritage, dating back 130 years to the beginnings of the world's largest mining company, Broken Hill Propriety (BHP).
Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries said the listing recognises the town's significant role in Australian history.
"(Broken Hill) has made an enormous contribution to Australia’s pastoral, political and artistic history.
“(It) now stands alongside the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian War Memorial and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as one of our great national treasures."
Environment Minister Greg Hunt cited the city's contribution to nation building.
"A national heritage listing for Broken Hill recognises its contribution to technical developments in the field of mining, its pioneering role in the development of occupational health and safety standards, and its early innovation and adoption of environmental regeneration in and around mining operations," he said.
Broken Hill Mayor, Wincen Cuy, said the announcement was a major win for the city.
“This prestigious citation will raise the international profile of Broken Hill, upgrade its visitor economy and provide the resilient community with momentum to endure in its efforts towards economic diversification.
Broken Hill has been undertaking the process of becoming heritage listed for about 10 years and found out in 2009 that the city met the criteria to be considered.
Broken Hill Mayor, Wincen Cuy, said the announcement was well deserved and a major win for the city.
"You have to meet one criteria to be considered and Broken Hill met eight of the nine," Mr Cuy said.
The city checked off the criteria of innovation through the mining process, he said.
The district’s unique rock formation, the ore seam that formed the famous broken hill of BHP fame, was recognised as a significant natural formation.
"There are rock specimens from in and around Broken Hill that you can't find anywhere else in the world," Mr Cuy said.
Broken Hill has been buzzing with excitement since news of the announcement spread.
Mr Cuy said the announcement would boost the tourism industry.
Although there's already significant amounts of visitors coming to Broken Hill, Mr Cuy said the city's plan was to capture the imagination of more international and domestic travellers.
"We'll encourage them to experience what broken Hill has to offer and show off our greatest asset, which is our people."