If you know Bourke you know Australia
Henry Lawson
WELCOME
'Back O' Bourke'- one of the most recognisable terms in the Australian vocabulary, but where, or rather 'what' is it? It is people and it is landscape, solitude and mate-ship. It encompasses history, culture and nature, as well as invention and ingenuity. Small towns and big distances, wide open plains and narrow tracks. As much a concept as it is reality, and only ever truly understood through experience.
This is our backyard. These concepts and hazy vision are the realities of our day to day lives. We can no more point you towards the Back O' Bourke than you could, because we are it. We are the people, the places, the stories and traces. Follow any path you like to get here, take any means available to you, and know that when you arrive you will be invited to discover the hidden journeys Back O' Bourke has to offer.
See & Do
Jandra Paddleboat
Experience the famous Darling River aboard the majestic Jandra Paddleboat. Enjoy one of the relaxing daily cruises, or book a private charter for you…
Back O' Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre
The Back O' Bourke Information and Exhibition Centre is set amongst the native garden of the river red gums on the banks of the Darling River.The cen…
Mount Oxley Rossmore Station
An hour spent with eagles in the silence atop Mount Oxley looking across a 100-kilometre expanse rekindles the experience of explorers Sturt and Hume…
Stay
It's the bitterest land of sweat and sorrow. But if I were free I'd be off tomorrow Out at the Back O' Bourke
Henry Lawson
Social
visitbackobourke
Heading to Bourke soon? Maybe you’re coming this way for the long weekend, the Louth Field Day, or already planning ahead for the Louth Races in August. Be sure to call in and say g’day to the team at the Back O’ Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre. We’ve got tourist information, maps, books, guides, local tips, treasures to take home, and a café ready when you need a coffee or a bite to eat. Basically, we’re your one-stop shop for finding your way around the Back O’ Bourke… and yes, we might even have a little local goss to go with it. See you soon!
visitbackobourke
Back O’ Bourke is waiting. Farm stays, wharf sunsets, the Lock & Weir, Fred Hollows Grave, paddleboat cruises, country pubs, campfires and wide-open outback skies. The only question is… how much can you tick off in one trip? #nature #photographylife #sunshine #historymatters #bourke #outbacknsw
visitbackobourke
The end of May already… and what a cracking first five months it’s been across Bourke. To everyone who has called into the Back O’ Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre, grabbed a coffee at the Café, jumped aboard the Jandra, watched the Crossley fire up or simply spent time exploring our town — thank you for choosing Bourke. If June and July are your travel months, we can’t wait to welcome you out west. Cooler mornings, campfires, river sunsets, country pubs and plenty of stories waiting to be discovered. Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to brush up on Bourke and start planning your trip — scan the Visitor Guide QR code below and see what’s waiting for you at the Back O’ Bourke.
visitbackobourke
Resident artist Jenny Greentree has the doors open and the stories flowing at the Back O’ Bourke Gallery. Pop in, have a wander through Jenny’s beautiful collection of artwork and enjoy a yarn with one of Bourke’s long-standing local artists. From river country inspiration to outback life on canvas — there’s plenty to discover. Open and waiting to say G’day 🎨
visitbackobourke
Welcome to Bourke — and thanks for popping a pin in us! Whether you’re here for a night, a weekend or just passing through, we hope you take the long way, meet a few locals, wander the main street, discover our stories and enjoy a true outback welcome while you’re here. From the Darling River to our villages, sunsets, pubs, history and friendly faces… we’re glad you made the trip 🤎
visitbackobourke
Be sure to take a wander down the main street of Bourke while you’re here. Now we’re not saying it’s Pitt Street 😄 … but our little main street has a hardware store, chemist, banks, furniture store, newsagency, gift shop, Toyworld, clothing stores, recording studio, coffee shop, electrical and homegoods store, plus the good old post office all lined up and ready to welcome you. Forgot a nail? Need a packet of Panadol, a new fridge, magazine, camp chair or pair of work boots? Bourke’s probably got it. No big-name city shopping centres out here — just proud local businesses, friendly faces and shop owners who’ll probably ask where you’re from before you’ve even made it to the counter. Take the stroll, pop into a few stores and support the locals keeping Bourke ticking along 🤎
visitbackobourke
Looking for something to do this June Long Weekend? 🌿 Why not head out to the stunning Gundabooka National Park and join the National Parks team on Saturday 6 June as they celebrate 30 years of Gundabooka National Park. A great chance to get off the beaten track, enjoy the landscape, learn a little local history and celebrate one of our region’s special places. 📅 Saturday 6 June 📍 Gundabooka National Park 📞 RSVP by 28 May – 02 6830 0200 📧 npws.bourke@environment.nsw.gov.au Pack the camera, round up some friends and make a day of it out in the Back O’ Bourke.
visitbackobourke
The weekend is upon us… and Bourke is looking pretty good after a decent drink of rain ☀️ The puddles are slowly drying up, the skies are clearing and there’s plenty waiting for you across Bourke and our beautiful villages. Cruise the Darling, chase a sunset, explore the Wharf precinct, visit our National Parks or simply slow down and enjoy a country weekend without the rush. Fuel up, stay longer and take the long way around the Back O’ Bourke.
visitbackobourke
The Darling is looking beautiful after the rain and the old girl is ready to roll 🚢 If you’ve arrived in Bourke for the weekend, don’t leave without jumping aboard the Jandra Paddle Vessel for a cruise along the Darling–Baaka. Watch the puddles dry up from the deck, spot the river gums shining after the rain and enjoy one of the best seats in town. Cruise Times: ▪️ Monday – Saturday: 9am & 2:30pm ▪️ Sunday Lazy Afternoon Cruise: 2pm – 4pm 🎟 Tickets available at the Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre or onboard before departure.
visitbackobourke
We’re always telling you to look up and take it all in… but this one deserves a VERY big reminder. 📍 Bourke is in a PRIME viewing position for the Australia-wide Total Solar Eclipse on SATURDAY 22 July 2028! Here’s what the afternoon will look like in Bourke (AEST): 🌘 12:27pm — Partial eclipse begins 🌑 1:50pm — TOTAL eclipse begins ⏱ Totality will last around 4 minutes 🌗 3:09pm — Partial eclipse ends That’s nearly THREE hours of skywatching… with the middle of the afternoon turning dark right above Bourke. And if you know Bourke… you know we won’t let a moment like this pass quietly 😄 You can bet there’ll be celebrations, visitors, cameras pointed skyward and a whole town soaking up a day that will go down in the history books for Bourke. So maybe this is your sign to start thinking about July 2028 now… because the countdown is officially on 🌞🌚 #visitbourke #backobourke #solareclipse #outbacknsw #lookup #bourkensw
visitbackobourke
Louth Field Day is back for 2026 🤠🌾 Saturday 6 June 📍 Elsie Eade Park, Louth ⏰ From 10am 🎟 Gold coin entry A great day out west with local exhibitors, agriculture, machinery, livestock, market stalls, country catches ups and plenty of good old outback hospitality. With exhibitors travelling in from across the region, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic community day for locals, visitors and anyone keen for a road trip to Louth. #louth #bourkensw #fieldday
visitbackobourke
🌧️ Jumping puddles and smiling from ear to ear out here in the Back O’ Bourke. A beautiful steady rainfall has rolled across the Bourke Shire overnight and throughout today — and fair to say, the country is absolutely loving it. 🚧 A friendly reminder to travellers AND locals… if the road says CLOSED — stay off it. Even if you “know the road” better than the bloke who graded it last week. If you’re already in Bourke chasing that outback adventure, maybe take it as a sign to slow down a little: ☕ grab another coffee 🍳 book a few extra nights at the park 🌧 watch the rain roll in 📸 and enjoy seeing the outback soak up every single drop Because gee whiz… we needed this rain! #raingdays #bourke2840