Major city · Australia
Bourke
Give Bourke one night as a Darling River stop on the Kidman Way or Mitchell Highway; two nights only if you add Gundabooka National Park.
Bourke is the service town for a huge stretch of northwestern New South Wales, about 140 km south of the Queensland border and roughly 8 hours by road from Sydney. The Darling River, a replica wharf and the Back O' Bourke exhibition carry the history; Gundabooka National Park, 30 minutes south, carries the landscape. Most travellers pass through on the way to or from Queensland, Cobar or Brewarrina, and one night is enough unless the park is the point of the trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C (104 °F)+ days), and any week with a flood or total fire banavoid Dec–Feb (104 °F (40 °C)+ days), and any week with a flood or total fire ban
- Airport
- BRK
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bourke000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bourke, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyBourke is a small, friendly service town and crime is not the main risk for visitors: heat, distance between services and unsealed roads are.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 132 701 Road closures and conditions (NSW)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBRK Bourke Airport (Small field; scheduled services connect via Dubbo, not direct from Sydney — check current operators.).
- Getting aroundThe town is flat and small: you can cycle end to end in under 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealBakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
- Beerschooner in a pubA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$15–35 (≈ US$10–25)
- Budget bedHostel or pub room, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$240 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRK Bourke Airport (Small field; scheduled services connect via Dubbo, not direct from Sydney — check current operators.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Feb
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jun (5 rain days), driest Apr (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bourke: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Dec
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is flat and small: you can cycle end to end in under 20 minutes. A car is needed for Gundabooka and the river spots; hire cars exist locally but the big rental brands do not operate here, so book ahead or bring your own.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gundabooka National Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min to the park boundary
Drive the sealed Kidman Way south about 30 min, then unsealed park roads
Indigenous rock art and walks; park roads are rough dirt and close after rain.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Drive east on the Kamilaroi Highway
Fish traps on the Barwon River; an easy half-day.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Drive south on the Kidman Way
Mining town with fuel, food and motels; a natural next stop.
Hungerford and the Queensland border
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h to the border
Drive north on the Mitchell Highway
Long dry stretches with no services; carry water and fuel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mitchell Street and the town centre
Motels, bakery and pubs within a 10-minute walk; best if you arrive late and leave early.
North Bourke
A few kilometres north across the river; quieter, with the gallery and riverside spots.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$160 | A$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Fuel, per 100 km at outback prices1 × A$20 · check | A$20 |
| Gundabooka National Park vehicle entry1 × A$8 · check | A$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$53 |
| Trip total≈ A$291 per person per day, bed included | A$581≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Bakery pie or sandwich | A$6–12 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Pub counter meal | A$22–35 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Beer, schooner in a pub | A$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Motel double room, per night | A$110–240 (≈ US$75–160) |
| Fuel, per litre in townOutback prices run higher than the coast; check. | A$1.90–2.20 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$15–35 (≈ US$10–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is the real hazard: 40 °C (104 °F)+ days, and long dry stretches between towns.Summer heat is the real hazard: 104 °F (40 °C)+ days, and long dry stretches between towns.
- Fuel and food gaps: fill up before leaving town and carry water on every drive.
- Unsealed park roads become impassable after rain — check road conditions before setting out.
- Mobile coverage drops outside town; download maps and tell someone your route.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- Road closures and conditions (NSW)
- 132 701
Pocket card
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BourkeBourke
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- Road conditions (NSW)132 701
Embassy
No embassies in Bourke; consulates and embassies are in Sydney and Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bourke → Dubbo, by air: about 1 h 15 min; fares vary widely, check current operator
- Bourke → Dubbo, by road: about 4 h 30 min via the Mitchell Highway
- Bourke → Sydney, by road: about 8 h; a full day's drive
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where's the servo? — Where is the fuel station?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need help — I need help
English is the working language here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bourke. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C+ days), and any week with a flood or total fire ban · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BRK: current operator, transfer time and taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mitchell Street, the wharf and riverbank, North Bourke, the exhibition centre.
- Place pages with verified hours (Back O' Bourke, the gallery, the wharf) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and flood fixtures so gates A–D can go green.