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drive outback australiaIn order to make your Outback NSW touring experience the best it can possibly be, we have produced an extensive "Darling River Run Map and Guide".

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Home Upper Darling - Cobar - Bogan Bourke

bourke outback nswBourke Outback Australia: “if you know Bourke, you know Australia” so wrote the famous Australian poet Henry Lawson in 1882. Set beautifully on the Darling River, it  is not merely a town but a region of that is the figurative demarcation between Outback Australia and the east. Anything to the west is colloquially referred to as the 'Back o Bourke'; a term etched deeply in the Australian psyche allude that Outback Australia is a long way away from anything. On the contrary, it may be a distance from 'civilisation' but the further out you go the closer you get to the essence of this land. Maybe that is what Lawson was alluding.

GPS:-30.088847° 145.937742°

Visitor Information Centre:

Railway Station Building

Anson Street Bourke 2840


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The ruins of the River Boat PS Wave at Bourke
The wonderfully restored historic North Bourke Bridge outback nsw
The Jandra river boat on the Darling River at Bourke - Outback NSW - Australia
The Jandra river boat on the Darling River at Bourke Outback NSW Australia
Kids at play at the Bourke Wharf

Originally named Prattenville, the town was first ‘settled’ in the late 1820’s and its name was changed to Bourke, after Governor Richard Bourke of New South Wales, in the 1830s.  

By the 1890's, Bourke was a major port for the transport of the southern Queensland and northern NSW wool clip that was transported down the Darling to the Murray River and onto Adelaide or up the Murray to Echuca for rail transport to Melbourne for ship transport overseas.

The Port of Bourke was the focus of the world’s wool industry with up to 80 riverboats servicing the region and at one time it was one of the largest in the world.

The opening of the rail system to Outback Australia and the unreliability of the river flow saw the gradual demise of the 'River Highway' by the early 20th century. This by no means spelt the end of of the town and today it is still, in essence, is the same it was back then; a town on the edge of the wilderness with great historical, cultural and geographic significance.

Located where the Kidman Way meets the Darling River, it is a town firmly etched in Australian folklore and is the ideal access point for The Darling River Run. Bourke provides a true outback experience to all who visit Bourke.

The recently (re)opened 'Back of Bourke' Centre has been redeveloped as a world class facility nestled in a spectacular natural setting amongst the river red gums on the banks of the Darling River.

The Back O Bourke Centre:

"The Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre has recently been redeveloped as a world class facility nestled in a spectacular natural setting amongst the river red gums on the banks of the Darling River.

The Exhibition Centre brings to life the stories of the past and reveals the real Outback to those that visit. A modern gift shop and the Back O Bourke Café are part of the Experience, enjoy a coffee overlooking the Darling floodplain and ponder your journey.

The Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre allows you to experience a journey through life in the back country; rediscovering the stories of Australia through modern eyes, taking you from the rich cultural history of the past through to the future of the Australian Outback." from the Back O Bourke website

 
in the area.....

Towns

outback towns

The Darling River Run

the darling river run

Drives & Side-Trips

outback nsw sidetrips

National Parks

nsw parks parks



our members in the area.....
  • gold members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    BQ_brand2Black Queen, Outstanding Outback theatre… with a twist.
    Winner of the 2010 NSW ‘Heritage and Cultural Award’ (Bronze) and the 2010 NSW Inland ‘Attraction of the Year Award’ (Gold).
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  • strategic partners >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    bogan shireBogan Shire, in Western NSW, has an area of 14,610 square kilometres, about 1.8% of the State's land surface. The geographical centre of NSW lies within the Shire’s boundaries. Nyngan, the Administrative Centre, is located on the Bogan River at the junction of the Mitchell and Barrier Highways with an estimated population of 2500.

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  • strategic partners >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    a-bourkeBourke is a wonderful community established in 1861 on the banks of the Darling River.

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  • strategic partners >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Brewarrina ShireBrewarrina was one of the great inter-tribal meeting places of eastern Australia with the fish traps, sustaining thousands of Aboriginal people during tribal gatherings


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  • strategic partners >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Walgett ShireWalgett Shire embraces the fertile black soil plains of northern New South Wales.

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  • strategic partners >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Lightning RidgeThere are many ‘must see’ destinations in Australia and Lightning Ridge is certainly that; home of the beautiful Black Opal and like the wonderful gem, Lightning Ridge shows its varying colors depending on how you look at it.

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  • Back O’ Bourke Gallery
    silver members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Back-O-Bourke-GalleryThe Back O’ Bourke Gallery is situated on the banks of the Darling River at North Bourke, 5km north of the legendary Australian town of Bourke in outback NSW. North Bourke is a developing outback tourist village and this beautifully presented gallery houses the studio of exciting outback artist, Jenny Greentree. Jen’s art is inspired by the rich outback scenery of Bourke and together with her husband Steve they have developed a gallery that never ceases to impress the many visitors that pass through its doors. This working commercial gallery is a must see gallery on the ‘Outback gallery loop’ from Lightning Ridge to Broken Hill and original works and reproductions have found homes around Australia and overseas.
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  • Cobar Shire
    tourism association members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    cobar shireCobar Shire is situated in the centre of New South Wales at the crossroads of the Barrier Highway and the Kidman Way.

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  • The Dowling Track
    tourism association members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    the dowling trackThe Dowling Track - Travel in the footsteps of Vincent James Dowling across the area known as the "Plains of Promise".

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  • The Opal Centre
    tourism association members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Australian Opal CentreThe Australian Opal Centre - National museum housing the world's greatest public collection of Australian opal and precious opalised fossils.


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  • John Murray Art Gallery
    bronze Members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    John Murray Art GalleryThe John Murray Art Gallery in Lightning Ridge is the exclusive outlet for original John Murray paintings.  One of the bush's leading art galleries, you'll see a brilliant collection of outback landscapes and characters. This really is the quitessential outback art collection.

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  • Nyngan CP
    bronze Members >> upper darling - cobar - bogan
    Nyngan Caravan ParkThe Nyngan Riverside Caravan Park is uniquely located on the Bogan River, an easy walk to town, a haven for skiers, fishermen, birdwatchers and people just looking for a relaxing time on the banks of the Bogan!

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Travel, Tours and Accommodation

  • gold members >> touring and accommodation
    eldeeEldee Station boasts great outback hospitality and is a family owned working sheep and cattle station with great outback tourist experiences, services and facilities.

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  • silver members >> touring and accommodation
    Mungo Lodge
    Mungo Lodge is the place for new and rich travel experiences. This 4 star sophisticated outback property has a commitment to eco- sensitive management. Catering for a limited number of guests, it ensures intimate and unique experiences.

     

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  • silver members >> touring and accommodation
    Tri State ToursFor 16 years Tri State Safaris have been taking their clients to some of Australia's most remarkable and remote locations.WD Australian outback tours for small groups is the speciality of Broken Hill tour company, Tri State Safaris... with an accent on having fun!

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  • bronze Members >> touring and accommodation
    Fringe of the deseert toursFringe of the Desert Tours offer quality tour packages and custom designed tours to groups, clubs and anyone wanting a great holiday experience. Let our dedication enrich your holiday.

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  • bronze Members >> touring and accommodation
    getabout 4x4 adventuresJoin getabout for a tour or training, and experience our Award Winning Service. Our dedication to quality saw us become the first nationally accredited tour operator in NSW.


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  • bronze Members >> touring and accommodation
    trilby stationGary and Liz Murray from Trilby Station, a 200,000 acres sheep and cattle property on the banks of the Darling River in Outback NSW, invite visitors from around the world to come and taste their unique lifestyle.

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  • bronze Members >> touring and accommodation

    intro

    Walls Court: - "Private Cottages, Country Hospitality": Relish the tranquillity and comfort of your Walls Court suite as you laze on the veranda observing the birds in the garden. Children have fun feeding chooks, patting dogs and gathering eggs. Gain more from your visit to the zoo; we are volunteer guides. Revel in crowd free shopping precincts or savour the wine tastings at nearby wineries.
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  • tourism association members >> touring and accommodation
    Outback BedsStaying with the Outback Beds network allows you to experience working sheep and cattle stations, bush pubs, log cabins, living underground, Bed and Breakfasts, a little luxury and tranquil river campsites.... even camel campouts.

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