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
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WELL… YOU’RE ALREADY OUT WEST. COME SEE THE BACK O’ BOURKE. If your Mundi Mundi plans have changed thanks to the beautiful wet weather — and yes, we said beautiful. We’re bush people… you’ll never hear us run down good rain — keep heading west and come our way (rain this way yet). If you’re already nearly at Bourke, trust us, there’s plenty here to fill a few days. Big skies. Sunsets you’ll dream about. The Darling River looking magnificent. Spring starting to show off. History, culture, great food, little villages and plenty of country roads to explore. Make Bourke your base, slow down for a couple of days and see a bit more of the Back O’ Bourke. You’ve come this far… may as well keep going. #VisitBourke #OutbackNSW #BackOBourke #CommunityHistory #campingvibes
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Meet Peter — your friendly Census Field Officer! Peter is one of a team of three Census Field Officers in Bourke this week, helping our community get counted. You’ll find the team at the Bourke Public Library this Thursday and Friday from 9am–12 noon, ready to help with paper forms, online Census questions or anything you’re not quite sure about. Peter and the team will also be out and about around Bourke, collecting completed forms and offering guidance to anyone who still needs a hand. So if you spot Peter around town, be sure to say G’day! Haven’t completed your Census yet? Peter and the team are here to help you get it sorted. Get counted, Bourke. Make your voice count!
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BOURKE – HAVE YOU DONE YOUR CENSUS YET? If not, don’t panic – you still have time! And that talk going around that you’ll be fined because you’re late? Not true! So don’t let that stop you from getting it done. Peter and the Census team are in Bourke this week only and ready to help. No paper copy? Need a hand online? Or just want someone to help you get it sorted? Head around to the Bourke Public Library TODAY, tomorrow or Friday between 9am and midday. Whether you live here, you’re new to town, live out in one of our villages or were staying in Bourke Shire on Census night – we want you counted. Our numbers matter. Let’s make sure Bourke Shire gets a true count! Get it done. Get counted. Make your voice count! Bourke Shire Council
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HEADING TO MUNDI MUNDI THIS WEEK? Don’t just drive through the Back O’ Bourke — stop and have a look around! Make Bourke part of the road trip, but don’t forget our villages either. Take the turn, pull up for a while and discover Byrock, Enngonia, Louth, Wanaaring and Fords Bridge if your travels take you that way. Country pubs, little bits of history, big skies, long roads and plenty of characters along the way. Fill up when you can, take a photo or two, have a yarn with a local and enjoy the drive — because getting to Mundi Mundi is part of the adventure too. See you somewhere around the Back O’ Bourke!
visitbackobourke
BACK O’ BOURKE INFORMATION & EXHIBITION CENTRE The Bourke Visitor Information Centre — or, as you’ll hear most locals and visitors call it, simply “the Back O’ Bourke” or “the Centre.” It’s your starting point when you arrive in Bourke. Call in, have a chat with the team, pick up a local map, find out what’s open, what roads to take, where to eat, what to see and all those little local tips that can make a trip. While you’re here, take your time through the Back O’ Bourke Exhibition Centre, grab a coffee at the café and plan the next stop on your Bourke adventure. Start at the Centre. Then discover the Back O’ Bourke.
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THE DARLING RIVER | BOURKE You really can’t visit Bourke without spending a little time by the Darling. Once the highway of the outback, the Darling River played a huge part in Bourke’s story — bringing paddle steamers, wool, trade and people through what became one of Australia’s busiest inland river ports. Today, it’s a little quieter. Take a walk along the river, stop at the historic Bourke Wharf, watch the birdlife or simply find a spot and take it all in. And if you want to experience the Darling properly, jump aboard the PV Jandra and see Bourke from the water. The river isn’t just part of our history — it’s part of Bourke.
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BOURKE POST OFFICE | 1880 Another piece of Bourke history hiding in plain sight. Built in 1880 and designed by renowned NSW Colonial Architect James Barnet, the Bourke Post Office is still very much part of everyday life in town. Open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm — and there’s a fair chance you’ll find a local or two out the front having a chat, with a parcel, letter or bill in hand. Discover more about the Post Office and other historic buildings on Bourke’s Windows to the Past Walking Tour. #photography #historymatters #cobbandco #outbackaustralia #backobourke Take a walk. Look a little closer. Discover Bourke.
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⛄️POP A PIN IN BOURKE BEFORE CHRISTMAS! Most of Australia does Black Friday sales on a Friday… Out here in Bourke, we reckon SATURDAY sounds much better! No sickie required. No day off work. Just come shopping! CHRISTMAS ON THE MAIN Saturday 28 November | 9am–1pm Oxley Street, Bourke We’re bringing the markets into the Main Street with local businesses, market stalls, sidewalk sales, Christmas bargains and plenty happening around town. There’ll be music, a jumping castle and room for the kids to run around in Darling Park while you tick off that Christmas list. And once the shopping bags are full? Wander to the pub for lunch or head to the Bowlo for Chinese! Come for the markets. Shop local. Stay for lunch. Have a wander around Bourke. Pop a pin in Bourke — Saturday 28 November!
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Wherever you're pulling up for the night... make sure Bourke is one of your stops. Whether you're staying at a caravan park, hotel, motel, free camp, farm stay, village pub or simply taking a well-earned break by the side of the road, be sure to spend some time in Bourke. Slow down, take it all in and discover why we're proud to call this place home. Explore our rich history, cruise the Darling River aboard the PV Jandra, wander our walking trails, visit local attractions and have a yarn with the locals who make this region so special. Before you head off on your next adventure, call into the Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre. Our friendly team can help you discover the hidden gems, plan your journey and make the most of your time in the Back O' Bourke. Sometimes the best part of the trip is the stop you didn't rush through. #OurStories #BackOBourke #australianhistory #destinationnsw
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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
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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!
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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.