Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre

17/09/2026

How lucky are you, Scott — you got to meet our Lady of the River, the PV Jandra!

We can’t wait to watch you swimming the Darling from onboard tomorrow as Fight The Current continues through Bourke.

And we know there’ll be a few people enjoying a Friday off tomorrow! So why not grab a ticket, jump aboard the PV Jandra for an early morning cruise and cheer Scott on from the river.

Then make your way to the Bourke Wharf around midday and help us give him a proper Bourke welcome.

See you on the river!

16/09/2026

The Darling continues to be the lifeblood of our community — this time, for a very different reason.

Remember the old Bridge to the Wharf swims? Maybe you swam it, watched it, cheered from the bank or had family who did.

This Friday, we’re calling on the Bourke community to head down to the wharf and get behind Scott Gladsman as he swims the Darling River raising money and awareness for MND, PSP and Parkinson’s.

Bring a few dollars for the donation bucket, grab a sausage sandwich from the Men's Shed and give Scott a proper Bourke welcome.

No swimming required this time — just turn up, cheer loud and get behind a great cause.

For more information, contact Mel Milgate, Manager Economic Development, on 0437 970 090.

16/09/2026

22 July 2028 — BOOK IT IN. BUT DON’T WAIT UNTIL THEN TO DISCOVER BOURKE.

Visit this year. Plan another trip for 2027. Find your favourite spot, take in those big skies and work out exactly where you want to be when the sky turns dark in 2028.

Bring the kids. Bring Nan. Bring Mum. Bring the neighbour you actually get along with.

What have we got planned for 2028? Well… we’re not giving everything away this early. Someone might copy us.

For now, start planning. Start exploring. Find your spot.

Back O’ Bourke — 22 July 2028. Be here for it.

15/09/2026

We’ll be keeping an eye out for you, Scott.

As you make your way along the Darling and into Bourke, expect a cheeky wave from us at the Back O’ Bourke — and keep an eye out for the PV Jandra while you’re at it.

What an incredible effort for such an important cause.

Safe swimming, mate. We’ll see you soon.

What is Fight the Current? Fight the Current is an extraordin… Scott Gladman needs your support for Fight the Current: Swimming 1,650km for MND & Parkinson's

14/09/2026

Did someone say coffee?

The Back O’ Bourke Café is open every day from 9am–3pm, pouring our very own Back O’ Bourke Blend.

Whether you’re a long latte kind of person, cooling off with an iced coffee, or sticking with the old favourite — a cappuccino in a mug with extra chocolate — we’ve got you covered.

The hardest part? Paying for it. After that, sit back, enjoy the gardens and have one… or two… or three. We don’t judge.

Our Back O’ Bourke coffee beans get plenty of love from the locals, but even better, we keep hearing the same thing from visitors coming through the doors — it’s a bloody good coffee.

See you at the café.

14/09/2026

Well… we gave you all a week off from us.

Did you miss us? Do you still remember who we are?

We’re still here, still open 7 days a week, and the PV Jandra is still cruising the Darling.

More than 200 people have jumped aboard over the past three days alone, and with only 6 weeks of cruises left, now is probably the time to stop saying “we should do that” and actually do it.

Pop in, grab your tickets, have a wander, enjoy the river and make a day of it.

What are you waiting for?

See you at the Back O’ Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre.

06/09/2026

Hey, Happy Father’s Day!

Ever been to Wanaaring? Today might just be the day.

Jump in the car, take Dad for a drive, call into the Wanaaring Store for a cold drink and a bite to eat, then have a wander around the village.

And here’s something we never thought we’d be saying…

There’s now a fully sealed road waiting for you all the way to Wanaaring.

Go on — do Father’s Day a little differently this year.

Take Dad on an adventure and head right out the Back O’ Bourke.

04/09/2026

If you’re one of the lucky ticket holders heading to the Rotary Big Sky Bigger Hearts Long Lunch at midday, here’s your friendly little reminder…

Father’s Day is tomorrow.

So before you spend it all at the auction, maybe save a few dollars for Dad.

We’ve got Back O’ Bourke socks, Possum’s Poison, stress balls and plenty more easy Father’s Day gifts ready to go.

Back O’ Bourke Information Centre: 9am–5pm
Back O’ Bourke Café: 9am–2pm

Call in, sort Dad out, then head off and enjoy the Long Lunch.

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

SUNNING IN SPRING

As the days warm up, you’ll start to see a few more reptiles out and about across Bourke — on roads, highways, tracks and sometimes soaking up the sun right where you least expect them.

Keep an eye out, slow down when you can and give them a bit of space.

Spring in the outback means everything starts moving again.