Things to See and Do in and around Bourke
Have you...
- Seen the eagles soar at Mount Oxley?
- Cruised the Darling River on the PV Jandra?
- Enjoyed the hospitality at one of our Station stays?
- Taken an historic guided tour of the town and irrigated properties?
- Amazed at the Aboriginal rock art at Gundabooka National Park?
- Spotted a Major Mitchell Cockatoo or a Big Red Roo?
- Visited the Wharf precinct and heard the chug chug chug of the Crossley engine?
- Discovered the stories of the past on the Vision Way, at the Poets Corner, the Old Cemetery and the Nancy Bird air terminal?
- Done the Darling River Run or visited our neighboring towns?
- Experienced the unique wildflowers in springtime?
- Had a picnic while visting the reconstruction of the Fort Bourke Stockade?
- Opened the first lock to be built in Australia?
- Walked across the Bourke bridge at sunset?
- Uncovered the legends of the Outback at the Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre?
Take time out, Experience Bourke.
General
The Bourke Tourist Office offers travellers general information, including road reports, weather reports and do-it-yourself Mud Map tours, which are always popular.
Also offered for a small fee, are short 2-3 hour tours to the many attractions close to Bourke township. These include a Vineyard, Cotton farm and Cotton Gin (in season) plus many other interesting & unique sights.
Inquire at the Bourke Tourist Office on Anson St. or Ph (02) 6872 1222 or visit the website: http://www.visitbourke.com/.
Mt Oxley
49.5k by road from Bourke to the Southeast heading towards Brewarrina. Magnificent views from the top looking back to the west over town and to the mountain ranges to the south. Wedge tailed eagles can be seen.
Mount Oxley is part of a rich Aboriginal history and part of the local dreaming. In 1829, explorers Sturt and Hume climbed Mount Oxley to look west for the mythical inland sea. Access to the mountain can be provided via the tourist information centre where travelers will need to obtain a key. Ph: (02) 6872 1222.
Jandra Paddleboat
The PV Jandra is a replica paddle vessel built locally by the Mansell family in 2000. The Jandra is licensed to carry 100 passengers and offers 2 regular crusies per day along the Darling River.
The Jandra departs Kidman's Camp daily at 9am and 3pm offering visitors 1 hour cruises and a chance to relive the old river days. For further information call the Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre on (02) 6872 1321.
Bourke Wharf
At the end of Sturt Street is the Port O' Bourke and the location of the old Bourke wharves. A replica wharf now stands just slightly down stream form the originals. Well worth a visit the wharf area and the Old Crossley Engine will please.
Historical Buildings of Old Bourke
Some of the Oxley St buildings consist of The Old London Bank (1888), Courthouse (1900), Post Office (1880), Post Office Hotel (1888). At the corner of Mitchell and Wilson Streets is the Carriers Arms Inn, frequented by Henry Lawson in the early 1890's and mentioned in some of his stories. The Inn was also a Cobb & Co coaching stop on the Hungerford route.
Further along Mitchell and Wilson St is the Old Towers Drug Co Building (1889), the Lands Department Building (1898), the River-side Motel (once the Telegraph Hotel built in 1875), and the Catholic Church, St Ignatius. This is Bourke's oldest documented building and was opened the first Sunday after Easter in 1874.
Enjoy Mud Map tour 11 which will guide you past these buildings of yesterday.
Mt Gundabooka
A large hilly area about 80kms Southwest of Bourke. Consists of beautiful Australian bush land. The area has a number of Aboriginal rock paintings and is a wonderful place for bush walks. Superb views are available and kangaroos, emus and other wildlife are to be seen in abundance.
Bush camping is available and can be organized via the local National Parks and Wildlife Service. Phone: 02 6872 2744.
Abundant Birdlife
The area abounds in bird life with more than 140 species identified in the district. Emus, Pelicans, Wedge tailed Eagles, Brolgas, Galahs, Budgerigars and white and black cockatoos are among the most common birds to be seen.
Old Crossley Engine
Located at the Wharf area is a fully restored 1923 vintage Crossley oil fuelled stationary engine. The engine manufactured in Manchester England, is a fine example of an early four stroke diesel type engine.
This particular engine was originally used from 1923 to 1938 in the Sydney Power House to generate electricity for Sydney. It was later used in the Allowrie Butter factory at Coffs Harbour and then went to Narromine to be used to pump water for crop irrigation.
Bourke Historic Cemetery
Bourke is the resting-place for 1991 Australian of the Year Professor Fred Hollows. The internationally famous eye surgeon formed a deep & lasting commitment to Aboriginal health, and was instrumental in the development of the Aboriginal Medical Centres and the launching of the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program.
Also in the cemetery are the graves of several Afghans associated with the camel trade that ceased in the 1920's, and those of two policemen killed while on duty - one by a bushranger. The grave of local poet F. H. Brown and others of historic interest can be found.
The Darling River
Bourke was established in 1859 as a paddleboat destination. It was surveyed in 1862 and became the major inland port on the Darling River. Paddleboats ran the Darling until 1931.
The Darling River is over 1000Km long and its headwaters stretch from central NSW to South East Queensland. Relax on the river, have a fish, enjoy a cruise or visit the Heritage Maritime trail.
Ledknapper Wildflowers (Spring only)
47k north of Bourke on the Mitchell High-way and 32k's to the east is in an area where unique native wildflowers grow in abundance in the spring. Take a mud map tour. (Mud Maps available at the Tourist Centre and Back O'Bourke Office). Remember your camera!
Fort Bourke Stockade (Replica)
A replica of a log stockade built 35 km's down stream from Bourke by the explorer Major Mitchell in 1835. It was named after the then Governor of the Colony and the name was later transferred to the district and the town.
The Lock and Weir
Built in 1897 to ensure a permanent supply of water to the town. The Bourke Lock was the first to be built in Australia and the only one on the Darling River.
The lock is just west of the Bourke township and holds water in a weir pool for about 45 Km. The height of the weir is 3.93m. The largest floods in Bourke's history are over 14.2m!
The Bourke Bridge [North Bourke]
The first bridge built over the Darling at North Bourke was built in 1883. This is a Lift-up Bridge and the remains of the pulleys and cogs can be easily seen. The bridge was decommissioned in 1998 and the new Bridge opened.
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