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Bourke Gateway to the Australian Outback

Dance of the Echidna's

Bourke

Located in the Orana Region of western New South Wales, Bourke is the edge of the Outback. To many Australian, the saying Back O’ Bourke means in the middle of nowhere.

Visitor Centre

Our first stop was the Back O’ Bourke Tourist Information Centre, so that we could find out if there was anything new in the area to see. The friendly staff told us about a local artist’s gallery, a display at the airport and a riverboat cruise. They also gave us a map of the local cemetery, which had graves of interest marked, which was very helpful.

Outside the main building, an excellent sculpture artwork, The Dance of the Echidnas combines aboriginal culture and local flora, to form a great display.

Bourke Airport

As suggested by the tourist visitor centre, we dropped into the local airport, where the terminal is named after famous Australian aviator Nancy Bird-Walton. Nancy Bird-Walton, was a pioneering Australian aviator, known as “The Angel of the Outback”, and the founder and patron of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association. In the 1930s, she became a fully qualified pilot at the age of 19 becoming the youngest Australian woman to gain a pilot’s licence.

In addition to information and photos on Nancy Bird Walton, the airport terminal shows the history of aviation at Bourke and how important it was to Australia’s development of aviation. Many air races and original air routes passed through Bourke, before flying became what it is today.

MV Janda Riverboat

Heavy rain in the previous month meant that the Darling River was rising. We were lucky to get on the last river cruise because of the river’s height. The amount of silt washed down stream due to flooding meant that the river was brown.

The peaceful and relaxing 90-minute trip took us passed river red gums and farm land before returning.

Bourke Wharf

The wharf is a reconstruction of the original and is primarily a tourist attraction. However, it still shows how it operated, even as the river rose and fell seasonally, with multiple levels available to access the ships.

Crossley Engine

Sitting undercover near the wharf, the Crossley engine was donated by Bob Crawford and family from Narromine in 2001. Operated on weekdays for an hour by volunteers, and fully restored to working condition it is worth seeing.

Originally used from 1923 to 1938 in the Sydney Power House to generate electricity for Sydney it moved to the Allowrie Butter Factory in Coffs Harbour until 1949. It then went to a property in Narromine in 1949 to pump water for irrigation until 1964.

Historic Buildings

The centre of town has many lovely old buildings, which makes a walk through the main streets interesting, as you are constantly looking to see what is around.

Bourke Cemetery

Many people were visiting the cemetery when we arrived, mostly to see the grave of Fred Hollows. Fred was an ophthalmologist became known for his work in restoring eyesight for thousands of people in Australia and many other countries.

Our map from the Tourist Information Centre showed several other interesting graves. We found the most interesting to be the Afghan graves and associated mosque. Camels carried freight in the early days of colonial Australia, until replaced by trucks in the 1930s.

What did We Think of Bourke?

We found Bourke to be a very relaxed town, easy to find your way around, with plenty to see and do.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Ballast Point Park Sydney Harbour

Tank 101 which symbolises the site's working harbour history

Ballast Point Park

Getting There

Located near Balmain Ferry Wharf, the easiest way to get to Ballast Point Park, is ferry. When you arrive, check out the old ferry wharf building, which is now a community library. Originally a fuel storage area, Ballast Point is now a beautifully rehabilitated public space on Sydney Harbour. Intended for sale to developers but saved by a community action group, which resulted in its current use as a public park.

Balmain Ferry Wharf
Balmain Ferry Wharf

Mort’s Dock

Walking from the ferry to the park, we walked past a memorial to one of Sydney’s ship building docks. Now filled in, Mort’s Dock was the first dry dock in Australia, operating from 1855 until its closure in 1959. Between 1940 and 1945, Mort’s Dock constructed fourteen of the sixty Bathurst-class corvettes built in Australia during the war, as well as four of the twelve River-class frigates. The memorial commemorates their construction and service in the Royal Australian Navy.

Ballast Point Park

Deriving its name from colonial times, when ships returning to England empty would source ballast here, Ballast Point Park is now a beautiful park overlooking Sydney Harbour. Previous owned by Texaco, it was planned to develop the area for housing, but a local action group convinced the State Government to retain it for public use.

The site required decontamination because of its industrial past. Retaining walls in the park re-used rubble from the demolished buildings. Several old fuel tanks remain, as a reminder of the area’s past use, along with information boards describing the fuel depot. Scattered throughout the park, shade structures, provide great places to sit and relax, while admiring the views over the harbour.

We enjoyed walking around here, especially the old tanks and the conversion of tank 101 into a huge piece of artwork.

Tamworth New South Wales

Tamworth From the Oxley Scenic Lookout

Tamworth New South Wales

The country music capital of Australia, Tamworth is famous for its music festival and hall of fame. Although many of the town’s attractions associate themselves with country music, the historical buildings in the centre of town provide something else to see.

Located three and a half hours north of Newcastle, Tamworth is a great place to stop, whether it’s a rest break or a longer one to see the town’s attractions. This was our last stop on a road trip through Dubbo and Gunnedah.

Oxley Scenic Lookout

Overlooking town, the Oxley Lookout provides amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Named after the first European explorer to visit the area, the lookout also acknowledges the original inhabitants, with information boards providing information on the Kamilaroi people.

A great place for a break on your journey, if you don’t want to stop in the town centre. The large carpark allows plenty of space for parking, including caravans.

Bicentennial Park

Located in the city centre, with easy access, Bicentennial Park is a great place to relax, with ponds, grassed areas, a playground, and walking tracks. We walked from Peel Street where we had left our car, because this let us see the CBD as we walked. Starting at Fitzroy Street with the country music busts, we walked through the park enjoying the views.

Entrance to Bicentennial Park With Bust Of Country Artists
Entrance to Bicentennial Park With Bust Of Country Artists

Country Music

Reflecting Tamworth’s association with country music, a large section of the park had busts and other artwork dedicated to country musicians.

Sculptures

Scattered throughout the park we found several sculptures placed around ponds and in garden beds.

Waler Memorial

The Waler Monument commemorates the Australian Light Horse and depicts an Australian Trooper saying farewell to his Waler Horse in the deserts of the Middle East at the end of World War One.

In the early stages of World War One, they were mostly purchased from NSW which gave them the name of Walers, coined by the English.

The most famous of all feats of the Waler Horses at war was the Light Horse charge on Beersheba in 1917. The horses were without water for 48 hours in the hot Sinai Desert and then undertook a 4km cavalry charge across the burning plains to take Beersheba and its wells.

Tamworth Waler Memorial
Waler Memorial

Tamworth War Memorial

The War Memorial stands next to the Waler Monument and depicts service personnel on granite blocks. The names of those killed in battle are engraved on the plaque.

War Memorial
War Memorial

Man O’ War Gates

These interesting gates originally stood on Bennelong Point, but were removed with the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Purchased by a local family and gifted to the local Returned Servicemen’s League they now stand as a tribute to the Royal Australian Navy.

Man O' War Gates
Man O’ War Gates

The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame

The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, features a collection of memorabilia from Australian country music artists. If you are a country music fan, this is a must visit while in town. Located on the corner of the New England Highway and Peel Street, makes it easy to find.

Tamworth City Centre

Dominican Convent Building

Now the local conservatorium of music, this old building dating from 1882 was once a convent. Now leased by the conservatorium, it is well maintained and preserved for future generations to admire.

Tamworth Conservatorium of Music in the Old Dominican Convent Building
Conservatorium of Music in the Old Dominican Convent Building

Saint Nicholas Catholic Church

Dating from 1877 Saint Nicholas Catholic Church is on the corner of White and Marius Streets.

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall

Located in Fitzroy Street, the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall was opened in 1934 as a memorial to Tamworth and district soldiers and war workers.

Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall Fitzroy St
Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall Fitzroy St

Slim Dusty Statue

The statue of Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean recognises the contribution the couple made to Australia’s music heritage. Located in busy Peel Street, it is easy to find.

Statue of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean
Statue of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean

Street Art

Wandering through the CBD, we came across several pieces of street art and sculptures. These reflect local culture, from the music festival, sport, bushrangers, and aboriginal heritage.

Buildings

Walking through the streets of the CBD we found some beautiful old buildings. Many have changed hands since being built but have managed to retain their character.

The Big Golden Guitar Tamworth

In keeping with the country music theme for Tamworth, its contribution to “Big Things” is a giant golden guitar. The golden guitar is presented to the winner of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, making this Big version appropriate. Located on the south side of town, it is one of the first things you will see if travelling from Sydney.

The Golden Guitar
The Golden Guitar

Roll of Renown

Located not far from the Big Golden Guitar, the Roll of Renown sits outside the Entertainment Centre. The award honours Australians and New Zealanders who have shaped the industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to Country Music.

Roll of Renown outside the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre
Roll of Renown outside the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.