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
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⚙️ Did you know Bourke is home to a working piece of industrial history? The Crossley Engine, built in 1923 by Crossley Brothers in England, is an oil-fuelled stationary engine and a remarkable survivor from the early days of power generation. Over 100,000 Crossley oil and gas engines were produced worldwide — and the fact this one still stands is a testament to their craftsmanship. This impressive water-cooled, four-stroke diesel engine features two side-by-side cylinders and a massive 6-ton flywheel. In its day, it produced 138 horsepower at just 260rpm — serious muscle for its time. Originally used to generate electricity at the Sydney Power House (1923–1938), the engine later powered the Allowrie Butter Factory in Coffs Harbour, before heading west to Narromine, where it pumped irrigation water until 1964. Today, this engineering giant rests proudly in its shed at the Historical Wharf precinct in Bourke — and it’s free to view anytime. 📍 Make sure it’s on your must-see list when exploring Bourke’s riverfront history. #VisitBourke #OutbackHistory #CrossleyEngine #HistoricWharf #EngineeringLegends #BackOBourke
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Cobb & Co helped put Bourke on the map. In the 19th century, Bourke was a vital inland transport hub, connected to Bathurst and beyond by Cobb & Co mail and passenger coaches. Today, Bourke sits proudly on the Cobb & Co Heritage Trail, with historic sites including the former Carriers Arms Hotel and the Warrego Hotel, built on the site of an original horse-changing station. A local Cobb & Co factory even operated here until 1899. Visit Bourke and follow the tracks of a time when coaches, horses and river trade kept the outback moving. #BackOBourke #TheGreatOutdoors #historicbuilding
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When you visit Fred’s resting place in Bourke, slow down — this one matters. You pass through the cemetery gates and straight into red dirt country, the kind Fred Hollows loved. Ahead, a stand of gum trees shades a striking piece of dark, smooth granite — quiet, powerful and impossible to miss. The memorial was created by Austrian sculptor Andreas Buisman and installed in 2006, commissioned by the Hollows family. Shaped to reflect light from every angle, it’s designed to shine back at you — like a beacon. A nod to the intraocular lens that helped Fred change eye health forever, making sight-restoring surgery affordable for people across the world. Around the site, boulders from Mount Oxley form the shape of an eye, alongside a sandstone monolith carved by local Aboriginal artists, international sculptors and Bourke locals. A plaque reads: “Fred Hollows, eye doctor. The key he used to undo locks was vision for the poor.” It’s peaceful. Powerful. And quietly magical. And here’s the local tip — give Fred’s rock a little rub, so he keeps shining bright. Visit Bourke and see it for yourself. #fredhollows #outbackaustralia
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Pelicans in Bourke? Yep — they live here. You’ll spot these big, bold characters cruising the Darling like they own it… because, honestly, they kind of do. Most often seen along the riverbanks in North Bourke or hanging about near Toorale National Park, pelicans are regulars in our wetlands. They fish in groups, pose like pros and aren’t shy about stealing the spotlight from tourists trying to get the perfect photo. The Darling River is their playground and our pride — a lifeline in the outback and home to plenty of wildlife, pelicans included. So whether you’re rolling through on the Darling River Run or just wandering by the water, slow down, have a look… and enjoy one of Bourke’s most iconic locals doing what they do best. #darlingriverrun #worththedetour #RoadTripAustralia #Travel2026 #Bourke
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Not long now, happy travellers… The Jandra Paddle Vessel will be back on the water towards the end of March, cruising daily (with a few possible timetable tweaks). Those who’ve followed the Jandra — and her many much-loved captains over the years — will be pleased to know we’ve secured the captain for a second season. The Boss is especially happy that no television interviews are required this time 😉 The Darling is calling… and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard. #RoadTripAustralia #Travel2026 #worththedetour #darlingriverrun
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Sunsets in Bourke… we can’t explain them — you just have to see them. It’s the only way you’ll ever really know. Add Bourke to your trip this year, and don’t skip the villages — Wanaaring, Enngonia, Louth, Yantabulla, Fords Bridge and Byrock. Take a sunset photo each day. No filters. No captions needed. Then next year, when we’re encouraging the next wave of visitors with a sunset pic, you’ll get it. Because if you know… you know. 🌅💛 #photography #outbackaustralia #bourke #backobourke #outbacknsw
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Stop in at the Back O’ Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre and take a proper look around. It’s not just the exhibitions or the café that draw people in — our stunning native gardens are worth lingering for too. From bottlebrush, grevillea and eucalyptus to Darling lilies, willow wattle and silky oak, the gardens showcase the beauty of hardy outback natives. In winter, pigface pops with colour, while saltbush hedges frame the space and tell their own river-country story. If you’re a gardener or a keen green thumb, give yourself a day (or two) to wander, explore and soak it all in — this is Bourke blooming at its best. 🌱 #OutbackAustralia #BackOBourke #Bourke #naturelovers
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Visit Bourke and discover our rich river and paddleboat history. One river tale worth telling is the Jane Eliza — an iron paddle steamer built in 1867 and perfectly suited to the challenges of the Darling River. Tough, stubborn and endlessly resourceful, she became part of the lifeblood that kept Bourke connected to the rest of Australia. On her journeys, the Jane Eliza was stranded more than once — sometimes for over a year. Crews adapted, cutting timber on the riverbank, carrying building supplies and wool, and turning setbacks into opportunity. After a three-year journey from Goolwa, she finally reached Bourke with materials intended for a hotel, only to find the railway had arrived first. Nothing was wasted — the supplies went on to build a bank instead. She later departed Bourke towing three barges and carrying a record 2,600 bales of wool, the largest load ever to leave the town at the time. This is river country history at its finest — ingenuity, resilience and Bourke at the heart of the Darling. #OutbackNSW #Travel2026 #RoadTripAustralia
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Look up when you Visit Bourke — the locals aren’t all on the ground. If you hear a deep, raspy call drifting across town or along the river, chances are you’ve just been announced to by a Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. Big, bold and mostly glossy black, these iconic outback characters wear a dramatic crest that pops up like a helmet when they’re on alert. The males flash those unmistakable red tail panels, while the females carry softer markings with yellow spotting across their head, neck and wings. They’re part of everyday life around Bourke — feeding on seeds, fruit, bulbs and insects, often spotted in trees near the Darling or along our streets and parks. And because they only raise one chick every second year, every sighting feels a little bit special. So slow down, look up, listen out — this is Bourke doing what it does best: sharing the beauty of the outback with you. #IfYouKnowYouKnow #BackOBourke #OutbackNSW #OutbackAustralia #birdwatchingaustralia
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Postcards from the past 📮 Central Park, Bourke — where the Cenotaph still stands proudly and the footpath still cuts through the heart of the park, just like it always has. So much has grown around it over the years — new additions to the ceremony space, a kids’ bike track, skate park and more — but the soul of Central Park remains the same. We still love Central Park, Bourke… and gee, this postcard brings back a lot of memories 🤍
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Valentine’s Day, Bourke-style 😘 Loved-up, single, third-wheeling or just here for the vibes — Bourke doesn’t discriminate, it flirts with everyone. Head to a local pub for a hand-holding meal, duck into the club for a sneaky slap on the pokies, or take a sunset drive over the Darling River and pretend you’re in a movie scene. Romance, Bourke-style. Bring your sweetheart, your bestie, or simply treat yourself (self-love is very on trend). Good coffee, great company and that unmistakable Bourke charm are always on the menu. Careful though… people come for a visit and end up falling hard. Big, bold, fabulous love from Visit Bourke ❤️✨
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Planning your next trip? Pop a pin on Bourke this Easter. After more than 10 years of the Back O’ Bourke Easter Festival, one thing’s for sure — we know how to do four big days of outback fun and send you home planning your return 😉 Think: 🏃♂️ Colour Run 🏉 Footy 🎶 Live music & cold beers 🐎 Easter Races 🚶 Tag-along tours 🚤 Jandra cruises 🎨 Art galleries 🥚 Giant Easter egg hunt Forget the city. Point the car west. Easter hits different at the Back O’ Bourke. Back O' Bourke Easter Festival Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre