Bourke

Introducing Bourke

Immortalised for Australians in the expression ‘back of Bourke’ – that is, anything remote – this easy-going town sits at the foot of the outback. Beyond Bourke, green pastoral lands stop abruptly, settlements are few, and the country is flat, brown and alluring. Bourke itself is gorgeous, historic and quaint, sprawled along the beautiful Darling River with river gums and water birds.

The visitor centre (6872 1222, 6872 2280; www.visitbourke.com; Anson St; closed Sun summer) has an excellent leaflet called Bourke Mud Map Tours, detailing walks and drives of interest.

Seasonal fruit- and cotton-picking work is available between November and January, and May to October; contact Bourke Joblink (6870 1041; www.joblinkplus.com.au; 26 Oxley St) for information.

The fascinating Back O’ Bourke Exhibition Centre (6872 1321; www.backobourke.com.au; Kidman Way; stage 1 adult/child $3.50/2.50) follows the legends of the back country from both indigenous and settler perspectives by using oral histories and innovative displays.

The historical and agricultural Mateship Country Tours (6872 2280; tourinfo@ozemail.com.au; adult/child $25/11; tours 2pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am Sat) last 3½ hours.

The impressive three-tiered wharf at the northern end of Sturt St is a faithful reconstruction of the original (built in 1897), and, on the river, the PV Jandra (6872 1321; Kidman’s Camp Tourist Park; adult/child $14/10; cruises 9am & 3pm Mon-Sat, 2.30pm Sun) offers one-hour cruises on a replica of an 1895 paddle-wheeler. Contact the NPWS office (6872 2744; 51 Oxley St; 8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) if you plan to go to the Aboriginal art sites at Mt Gunderbooka.

Bourke’s Historic Cemetery (Kidman Way) is peppered with epitaphs saying ‘perished in the bush’, and has a deeply moving headstone to Professor Fred Hollows, the eye surgeon who was determined to help restore the sight of people going needlessly blind.

Last updated: Sep 22, 2008