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…
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…
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…
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
The Back O’ Bourke Tourism Team wants to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who experienced our beautiful destination in 2025. 💛 We’d love your help to grow our little corner of the outback — so please share this page with your travelling mates, locals who once called Bourke home, and the new faces who now do! We hope we got to meet you this year… and if we didn’t, we can’t wait to say g’day in 2026! If you’re hitting the road again over the Christmas break, travel safe — and don’t forget to put another pin on Bourke for your next adventure.
visitbackobourke
🔥🌞 Just because it’s not cold and frosty doesn’t mean the stories stop! Summer in Bourke is all about long yarns, big skies and lazy days by our gorgeous girl — the beautiful Darling River. Planning a trip? Pack the cozzies, an esky, a fishing line, and definitely a camera — our sunrises and sunsets are the kind you’ll dream about for years. The Back O’ Bourke isn’t just an autumn–winter–spring destination… Don’t believe us? Come see for yourself. We’ll see you out here soon — sun, river days and good yarns waiting. 🌅🎣✨
visitbackobourke
Windows to the Past 🌅 Start your walk here before the day warms — this is one of Bourke’s greatest landmarks. Bourke’s Post Office opened in 1880, built by contractor E. Hesseler with a design by the Colonial Architect’s Office. It quickly became one of the busiest post offices in NSW, even generating more revenue than major centres like Dubbo, Grafton and Armidale in 1891. In 1889, a second storey was added as the district grew and communications boomed. Imagine telegrams crackling in, mailbags arriving from Cobb & Co coaches, and the verandah full of locals awaiting news from far beyond the Darling. #outbackaustralia #historymatters #cobbandco #cobbandcocarriages #photography
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🌅 Explore Bourke’s history one sunrise at a time — or on your 2026 adventure. On the corner of Mitchell and Sturt Street once stood Joseph Becker’s Bond Store, later known as Caro’s Store — the heartbeat of early Bourke commerce. Becker was no ordinary shopkeeper: he became known as “The King of Bourke”, a businessman whose influence reached throughout the district. Attached to the store was a hall used for skating, dances and community gatherings — until the 1890 flood turned it into an emergency hospital. This building witnessed prosperity, disaster and resilience in equal measure. As you wander past, picture the bustle of wagons, river trade, and locals queuing for supplies in the outback’s earliest days. #photography #sunshine #historymatters #outbackaustralia
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🌅 Windows to the Past — Explore our history today or plan your stroll when you visit Bourke in 2026! Start in Central Park, where one of Bourke’s most dramatic moments unfolded — the Great Flood of 1890. This photo shows the park transformed into a vast inland lake. The Police Station, still recognisable today, stood firm as water lapped at its edges. In the distance you can spot the Great Western Hotel (where Henry Lawson spent his first night in Bourke) and the original Central Australian Hotel, complete with its iconic “Widow’s Walk”. Today, this peaceful park also holds the 1924 Soldiers War Memorial — a tribute to locals who served in WWI and beyond. Stand here at sunrise, water bottle in hand, and imagine the quiet chaos of 1890. #photographylife #photographylovers #bourke #history #backobourke #outbacknsw
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Visiting Bourke on Monday? Just a quick heads up — the Back O’ Bourke Information Centre will be closed all day on Monday, 1 December for staff training. But don’t stress! Pop in before Monday to grab your goodies, stock up on gifts, or pick up a gift card for those hard-to-choose-for family members. Travelling through and need something sent your way? Give the team a call on 68 721 321 and we’ll sort it out for you. We’ll be back open and ready to welcome you from Tuesday onwards!
visitbackobourke
Hear that noise??? That’s 2026 calling — and she’s saying “Pack the car, mate!” Plan your 2026 adventure and let Bourke be the surprise favourite of your whole trip — cruise the Darling, dig into the Back O’ Bourke Exhibition, sink a beer and a schnitty at the pub, throw a few coins at the Bowlo raffle, wander through national parks, yarn with the characters you’ll only meet in Bourke, and tick off enough Outback magic to brag about for months.
visitbackobourke
Only 10 days of cruising the Darling on board the beautiful PV Jandra remain! We still have tickets available for our Saturday morning cruise – 11am to 1pm. It’s the perfect “something different” to do with workmates, friends or visiting family. Or jump on one of our weekday cruises at 9am or 2:30pm for a one-hour trip along the Darling. Tickets can be purchased on the boat or at the Back O’ Bourke Information Centre. We’ve welcomed over 7,000 passengers this tourism season, and we can’t wait to set sail again at the end of March 2026! Start planning your trip and let Bourke be the surprise favourite of your 2026 adventure.
visitbackobourke
Did you miss us? We took a little socials snooze so YOU could get your 2026 travel plans sorted — and yes, Bourke should absolutely be on that list. 😉 The Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre isn’t just a pit stop… It’s the kind of place you plan to pop in for an hour and accidentally spend half the day because there’s too much to see, eat and explore. ☕ Café treats 🌿 Gardens that make you forget you’re in the Outback 📜 Fascinating history ⛵ Jandra tickets ready to go 📍 Tourist info you won’t leave in the caravan park laundry (we’ve heard the stories, folks 😏) 👋 Locals who greet you like old mates Plot your next adventure and let Bourke be the unexpected highlight of your 2026 travels.
visitbackobourke
✨ Discover Bourke! A place full of surprises, genuine friendliness, and moments that stay with you long after you’ve headed down the road. Visit Bourke — you’ll be surprised by what we offer, how warm our community is, and how quickly you’ll be planning your return. Your outback story starts here. 🌾 #visitnsw #backobourke #australianoutback #darlingriver #outbacktourism
visitbackobourke
J A N D R A – the perfect way to soak up the picture-perfect Bourke weather this November! J – Just the ticket for an outback day done right A – A gentle glide along the Darling River N – Nature showing off with pelicans, river gums and golden light D – Darling River stories from our skipper R – Relax… switch off… enjoy every moment A – Adventure for all ages and every kind of traveller It’s the last month of cruising for 2025, and the weather could not be better. Locals, visitors, travellers—this is your time to jump aboard the iconic PV Jandra and enjoy the Darling at its finest. #photographylife #photographylovers #sunshine #birdphotography #outbackaustralia #history
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🎨 Pick a Colour, Any Colour! 🎨 We love hearing your feedback — and the boss was chuffed to hear someone say how great our socials have been lately! (Thanks, we try hard… it might just be the hardest job we have! 😅) The easiest job you’ll have? 👉 Walking into the Back O’ Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre and trying to choose just one of our bright, colourful souvenirs! You’ll be saying: “One for me, one for them… actually, make that another one for me!” 😂 Pop in and say g’day to the team, grab a combo ticket to explore our amazing Exhibition Centre and cruise the Darling aboard the beautiful Jandra, and don’t forget to pick up a few Back O’ Bourke mementos to show off, stick somewhere — or even wear! 💛💙 #visitbourke #backobourke #jandracruise #shoplocal #outbackvibes