Bourke Courthouse

Bourke NSW 2840 (Pop 2 555 with a third being indigenous Australians)

Bourke, considered the ‘Gateway to the Outback’,  is 776 km n-w of Sydney, on the Darling River, known as the Barwon River.  First settled in 1820s and called Prattenville, it was renamed a decade later after Governor Richard Bourke with the railway arriving in 1885. Today main industries are sheep farming, irrigated fruit & cotton. The Outback is also often referred to as the ‘back o’ Bourke’. Mateship Festival (Sept), Police & Community Outback Trek (Oct), Rodeo (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre, Kidman Way, colourful displays of river and outback life since the Dreamtime to 100 years into the future.  Historic buildings include St. Ignatius Catholic Church (1874), The Old London Bank (1888), the Courthouse (1900) and the Carriers Arms Inn, often visited by Henry Lawson in the early 1890’s. Bourke Cemetery, Cobar Rd, resting place of Prof. Fred Hallow, (1991 Australian of the Year and leading eye specialist working with Aboriginals and in a number of third world countries) and a number of Afghans associated with the early camel trade. Old Railway Station, Anson St displaying Aboriginal artifacts.

Nearby:
Fort Bourke Stockade (20 km s-w) replica of a log stockade by explorer Major Mitchell in 1835.  Mt. Gundabooka NP (80 km s-w)  abundance of wildlife (kangaroos, emus, endangered bats) and over 130 species of birdlife. There are numerous Aboriginal rock paintings in caves by the Ngemba tribe. National Parks & Wildlife Service on (02) 6872 2744.

Accommodation:
Bourke has 4 motels, half a dozen hotels, a holiday apartment, 2 farmstays, 2 B&Bs and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Old Railway Station, Anson St. Tel (02) 6872 1222.

Airport:
Bourke Airport (BRK) just off Mitchell Hwy. Tel (02) 6830 8000. (6 km north of CBD).

Hospital:
Bourke District Hospital, 26 Tarcoon St. Tel (02) 6872 2566 or (02) 6870 8888.