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
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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
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☀️🔥 IF IT’S NOT MELTING, IT’S NOT JANUARY IN BOURKE 🔥☀️ This week’s forecast? Somewhere between “don’t touch anything metal” and “let’s just call it 50 and stop checking.” It’s so hot that: ▪ BBQ lids stay shut ▪ Eating becomes optional ▪ Watermelon counts as a meal ▪ Washing avoids the clothesline completely ▪ And even the couch feels warm The river looks like a very sensible decision - after 7pm. The pool is everyone’s best mate. And the pubs suddenly feel like luxury resorts. It’s hot. It’s summer. Back O’ Bourke. Is it hot… or are we just talking about it again? 😏🔥 Winter’s when the visitors show up anyway 😎 #BackOBourke #IfYouKnowYouKnow #vanlifeaustralia #SummerOutWest #outbackvibes
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🔥 JANUARY. BOURKE. 50 DEGREES. LET’S NOT ARGUE ABOUT IT. 🔥 The forecast says 47+, but once it gets past “why am I still outside?” we all just agree it’s 50 and move on. This is the kind of heat where: 🍉 Watermelon is elite — refreshing, cold and requires zero cooking 🌡️ BBQs don’t get lit… no one’s that brave 🩱 Clothes dry inside the washing machine because the sun is trying to kill us 🎾 And it’s honestly almost too hot to watch the tennis on TV Air-cons are the hardest working things in town. Shade is a moving target. And any job done after 9am deserves a medal. We swear — hand on heart — we will never whinge about a winter’s day ever again. (At least until June.) Hot? Absolutely. Still Bourke? Always. Why would you live anywhere else? 😎🔥 #BackOBourke #IfYouKnowYouKnow #OutbackNSW #Bourke
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Happy Australia Day from all of us at Visit Bourke! Whether you’re passing through, staying local, or heading off on an adventure — we’re sending big outback love your way. Because if you know Bourke, you know Australia. The red dirt, the river, the stories, the people — it’s all part of what makes this country so special. Travel safe, celebrate well, and don’t forget… you’re always welcome back out the Back O’ Bourke. #VisitBourke #BackOBourke #AustraliaDay #IfYouKnowYouKnow #TrueBlueOutback #SeeAustralia
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😎💦 LONG WEEKEND + BIG HEAT = POOL DAY IN BOURKE 💦😎 When the temperature’s climbing and the long weekend finally lands, there’s really only one place to be… the Bourke War Memorial Pool. Australia Day Pool Fun Day Cool off, catch up with friends and enjoy a proper Bourke summer day — in the water. 🎟️ Free entry 🥤 Free slushie (you’ll thank us later) 🏆 Prizes and games all day What’s happening poolside? 🏄♀️ Stand-up paddleboard races 🏊 Kickboard races 🍉 Watermelon eating comp 💦 Wet sponge throwing (aim carefully!) 🏏 Poolside cricket Big shout-out to Scott, Lisa and the pool crew — keeping Bourke cool and smiling even when the heat is trying to win. Locals, visitors, families, mates — everyone’s welcome. Slip on the togs, grab a hat and come cool off Bourke-style 💙
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Are you in Bourke this Australia Day? Start your day early to beat the heat — join us at Darling Park for a free brekkie from 8am, followed by the official Australia Day Ceremony at 9am. Hear from our special guest Ambassador Allan Sparkes, and celebrate the locals making a difference. Afterwards, cool off at the Bourke Pool with music, food and plenty of water fun — or head to a local pub for lunch. It’s going to be a hot one, so slip, slop, slap and enjoy the day! #VisitBourke #AustraliaDay2026 #BackOBourke #SeeYouInBourke
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Have you heard of the legendary Back O’ Bourke? It’s more than a destination — it’s an adventure waiting to be discovered. No matter how you arrive — by car, bus or even on foot — you’ll be welcomed with open arms here in Bourke. As we step into the new year, our beautiful Darling River is doing what she does best — bringing life right across our community. When the weather cools and you roll into town, the Jandra will be cruising, the Back O’ Bourke Information Centre will be open every day, and the community will always make you feel at home. Ask a question and someone in town will know the answer — just don’t ask too many at the pub… one will be true and the other five might not be. Outback humour at its best 😉 Help us spread the word about why Bourke belongs on every traveller’s bucket list. We can’t wait to welcome you 🌿 Plan your 2026 outback adventure now. Stay longer, travel slower, and experience the Back O’ Bourke at true outback pace. #BackOBourke #ExploreBourke #VisitBourke #DarlingRiverMagic #OutbackNSW #OutbackAustralia