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
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…
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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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