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Henry Lawson History

Architecture plays a strong hand in the streetscape of Bourke with several buildings dating back to the 1870's, with some frequented and mentioned in the stories of Henry Lawson. Henry Lawson wrote 'If you know Bourke, you know Australia.'

 

Sidney Kidman – Cattle King

It is the country of Sidney Kidman, the cattle king, who created the largest pastoral empire the world has ever known.

 

Scenery

 

Mt Oxley and Mt Gundabooka are both worth a look for anyone interested in amazing outback scenery, birds and wildlife. A local bird list identifying 140 types of birds in the region can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre.

 

Make sure you photograph the mural in Anson St painted by Lightning Ridge artist John Murray, named "Gateway to the Real Outback".

Up the river by paddle boat

 

The Paddleboat Jandra recaptures the romance of the old river-steamers, with a 2-hour cruise along the quiet waters of the Darling River. The Jandra leaves from the Kidman’s Camp Caravan Park during the season Easter to October Long weekend.

Location

Back o’ Bourke

If you want ‘outback’ you’ll find it at Bourke, as the Australian expression ‘Back ‘o Bourke’ means about as far as you can go.

Bourke is situated in Western New South Wales at the crossroads of the Mitchell Highway, Kamilaroi Highway and the Kidman Way. With an area of 43,000 square kilometres, the shire is home to many small villages and is considered a gateway into south west Queensland and the far west of New South Wales. It is home to approximately 3,000 people. The Shire's prosperity is built around the pastoral, irrigation, tourism and service industries which are strongly supported by a wide range of attractions and activities.

 

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