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
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…
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…
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 home after a fantastic weekend at Louth or a few days exploring the Bourke Shire? Before you unpack the caravan or wash the dust off the ute, here's one date to pop in your calendar... Saturday 22 July 2028. Bourke will be one of Australia's premier locations to witness the Total Solar Eclipse, with more than four minutes of totality right here in the Back O' Bourke. It might seem a long way off, but accommodation, camping and travel plans will come around quicker than you think. Thanks for visiting our region this week. Travel safely, and we'll see you back in the Back O' Bourke in 2028 for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. #VisitBourke #BackOBourke #TotalSolarEclipse #OutbackNSW
visitbackobourke
Did ya back a winner at Louth yesterday? Here’s another hot tip — don’t leave the Shire without a counter meal at the Mulga Creek Hotel in Byrock or the Oasis Hotel in Enngonia. You can also call into the Wanaaring Store for a steak sanga and chips. Shindy’s Inn is all about Recovery Sunday, so there’s no need to rush off. Stay another night or two and keep enjoying Louth. If you are hitting the road, take care, do the right thing and stop for a break when you need one. We hope you’ve enjoyed your time out here in Back O’ Bourke. If your outback journey is only just beginning, call into the Back O’ Bourke Information Centre for a bite to eat, a local tip or simply a chance to stretch your legs. Safe travels!
visitbackobourke
Good luck to the Louth community and the Louth Race Club Committee today! We hope the race meeting is a huge success and that everyone leaves with an even bigger smile than they arrived with. People often say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, events like the Louth Races really do take a whole village. From the volunteers and committee members to local businesses, families and supporters, it's a true community effort that creates one of the Outback's most iconic weekends. To everyone heading trackside today—we hope you back a winner, make a new friend, enjoy a few laughs and, most importantly, create memories that have you planning your return before you've even left. Have a fantastic day, travel safely, and enjoy everything that makes Louth so special.
visitbackobourke
Cotton season is on the move! If you're driving through the Back O' Bourke region, don't be surprised to see a cotton truck (or twenty!) making its way along our roads as this year's crop heads to the cotton gin at Trangie. You'll also spot the giant round cotton modules wrapped in bright blue, pink, yellow, orange and other colourful covers dotted across the landscape. And if you notice what looks like little white clouds lining the roadside, don't worry... it's not snow and it's not wool from wandering sheep—it's cotton making its journey from paddock to gin. Cotton continues to be a major industry across Bourke and the surrounding region, supporting local families, businesses and communities while helping produce one of Australia's most important natural fibres. Take your time on our roads, enjoy the changing landscape and experience another side of life in the outback.
visitbackobourke
A moment you'll never forget... Just outside Louth stands one of the outback's most moving monuments—the Mary Matthews Celtic Cross. Located in the historic cemetery, this magnificent 8-metre polished granite cross was erected in memory of Mary Matthews, wife of T.A. Matthews, who founded Louth in 1859. T.A. built the town's hotel to service the bustling river trade and Cobb & Co. coaches supporting the thriving pastoral industry of the day. The real magic happens at sunset. For just a few minutes each evening, the setting sun catches the polished granite, causing the cross to glow brilliantly against the outback sky. It's a simple, powerful moment that has captivated visitors for generations. If you're travelling to or from the Louth Races, take the time to visit this remarkable piece of Australian history. Some memories aren't made at the races—they're found in the quiet moments along the way. #australianhistory #darlingriverrun #BackOBourke #destinationnsw #OurStories
visitbackobourke
Swap the traffic for tranquillity. Looking for somewhere to truly switch off? Around Bourke you'll find welcoming farm stays, wide open spaces and unforgettable outback experiences. Wake to birdsong, watch spectacular sunsets, gather around a campfire and discover why the bush has a way of slowing life down. While you're here, take the time to explore our national parks. Wander ancient landscapes, spot native wildlife, photograph incredible wildflowers and soak up some of the biggest skies in Australia. Whether you're staying a night or settling in for a few days, the Back O' Bourke region has plenty to discover beyond the highway. Call into the Back O' Bourke Information Centre and let our team help you find the perfect farm stay, camping spot or national park adventure for your visit. The best outback stories start when you stay a little longer.
visitbackobourke
It is impossible to tell the story of Back O’ Bourke without taking the opportunity to experience and embrace the oldest continuous living culture on earth. Bourke Shire sits across the traditional lands of four major Aboriginal nations. The Ngemba people are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the township of Bourke stands, with their Country stretching south and west through the Cobar Peneplain bioregion, often known as “stone country”. The Ngemba people care for some of the region’s most significant cultural places, including Mount Gundabooka and Mount Grenfell. Now protected within national parks, these remarkable landscapes contain important rock art, cultural sites and evidence of Aboriginal life spanning thousands of years. This is just one part of the rich cultural story waiting to be discovered when you visit Back O’ Bourke. #australianhistory #BackOBourke #nationalparksnsw #ConnectionToCountry #CulturalConnection
visitbackobourke
Some roads are about getting somewhere... The Darling River Run is about enjoying the journey. Follow Australia's longest river through historic river towns, tiny villages, country pubs, station stays, red dirt roads, campfires, breathtaking sunsets and the kind of hospitality you'll only find in the outback. From Bourke to Louth, Tilpa, Wilcannia, Menindee and Wentworth, every stop has a story waiting to be told. Slow down. Stay an extra night. Chat to the locals. Cruise the river, catch a sunset, throw a line in or simply pull up a camp chair and watch the Darling River drift by. The Darling River Run isn't just a drive... it's an outback experience you'll be talking about long after you've arrived home. Where will the Darling River Run take you next? #darlingriverrun
visitbackobourke
Good winter rain means one thing... a spectacular spring is on the way. If you've been looking for an excuse to hit the road, this is it. The Back O' Bourke is turning green, the paddocks are already showing off with carpets of yellow and white wildflowers, and it's only going to get better. Ask any local where to point the camera this spring and you'll probably hear the same answer... Lednapper. Word around town is it's shaping up to be something pretty special. Pack the camera, take the scenic route and come see the Back O' Bourke at its colourful best. Spring doesn't last forever.
visitbackobourke
If you've never been to the Louth Races... you don't know what you're missing. Picture this... A tiny outback village. Around 50 locals (sometimes less). One pub, a hall, a park, a tennis court, a cricket oval, the gorgeous Darling River... and a race track. Now fast forward to race week. The village comes alive with 4,000–5,000 people. Caravans, campers, bus groups, neighbours from Bourke, Cobar, Nyngan, Brewarrina and beyond. Campfires burning, camp ovens cooking, live music at Shindy's Inn, the golf day, Calcutta, raffles, the fete, auctions and plenty of stories shared over a cold drink. Then Saturday rolls around... and it's race day. It's not just a day at the races. It's one of Australia's great outback traditions, and once you've been, you'll understand why so many people book their campsite for next year before they've even packed up. The weather report says it's right to race. The only question is... will we see you at Louth?
visitbackobourke
Friday night in the Back O' Bourke... if the Jandra Paddle Vessel isn't already on your Bourke bucket list for the weekend, it should be. The forecast is looking a little fresh tomorrow morning, so rug up with an extra pair of socks and, if you're camping or in the van, another blanket or two. Winter mornings out here are crisp, but they don't last long. Step aboard and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the gorgeous Darling River this weekend. Saturday – 9:00am & 2:30pm Sunday – 2:00pm to 4:00pm (our popular two-hour cruise) Tickets are available at the Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre or onboard (subject to availability). Just arrive a tad early and we'll get you sorted. We'll see you on the river.
visitbackobourke
Winter in Bourke... Every January, when we're sitting outside the pub in 46-degree heat, us locals all say the same thing... "We'll never complain about the cold again." Then this past weekend arrived... and, well... you know the rest. 😂 Jack Frost certainly made himself at home, but those frosty mornings soon gave way to blue skies, sunshine and beautiful afternoons. That's winter in Bourke. If you've never experienced it, now's the time. If not this year, make it part of next year's travel plans. Give it a few months and we'll all be saying, "Bring back those frosty mornings!" Then winter will roll around again, we'll complain about the cold, and the whole conversation starts over. Truth be told... we wouldn't have it any other way.