Hi, just want to get any ideas from travelers on things to do in Bourke NSW ? I have been researching a bit, Kidman camp looks like the place to stay, is it worth a 2 or 3 day visit, also any thoughts on St George QLD, I'm really just looking for options to have a few weekends away in Van that doesn't require a long days travel from home base. Unfortunately work commitments don't allow for more than a couple of days away.
Looking forward to your responses,
Thanks
Koala
KFT said
11:48 AM Jun 8, 2017
G'day Koala
We have stayed at Kidmans several times over the last 5 years and it is always a great experience. A trip on the paddle boat is a good afternoons activity I think it departs at 3pm but check that. There are also campfire meals and bush style entertainment at Kidmans a couple of days of the week.
The "Back of Bourke" experience is a must do and one of the few places we have been where the merchandise was reasonably priced. The meals in the cafe are excellent and good value too.
There is also an antique engine in town near the restored paddlesteamer dock. The engine has been restored and is run most days around noon. The operators also explain the history of the engine and it's restoration. A fascinating piece of machinery if you are interested in those sorts of historical items. Really good scones and coffee at the cafe just near that engine too.
Quite a few places to see around Bourke and Back of Bourke has tourist info as well.
Crime is certainly not as bad as some say and in fact Tamworth has a much higher crime rate.
hope that helps
Frank
Desert Dweller said
01:06 PM Jun 8, 2017
Sorry for the negative reviews but we stayed out of town at Bourke on Food & Huts at Mt Oxley (Rossmore Station) a great place to camp.
We spoke to someone who parked outside the Visitor information Centre in Bourke & had the drivers window smashed & camera/prescription sunglasses stolen. They were driving around
with taped on plastic where the glass used to be.
Stayed at St George some years back & bought a roast chicken in a foil bag from a local take-away shop. Opened it up back at camp & it was full of maggots.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 8th of June 2017 01:13:47 PM
newhorizons said
07:38 PM Jun 8, 2017
Hi Koala,
I've been at both places just recently. At Bourke, I had to stay 3 nights waiting for some van repairs. I stayed at Kidmans which was very safe and had great facilities at a reasonable cost. I did the paddle boat cruise (it runs twice a day but once on Sunday). I also did the "Poetry on a Plate" which is the thing mentioned by KFT and was very enjoyable. The Back of Bourke Centre is worth a visit but you may want to break it into 2 days as there is a lot to see. There is also the wharf, the engine (mentioned above) and a short drive out to the weir.
At St George, I stayed at the park in town up by the weir. Although there were warnings about locking your van and car, it felt reasonably safe there. You are a stone's throw from the weir and there is a really nice river walk into town. There is a little museum right near the park but it wasn't open on the day I was there.
I went via Lightning Ridge and stayed at a little town called Dirrenbandi which has a great little park with good facilities as well. I found all the little outback towns had something to offer and enjoyed my visit to all of them.
moamajohn said
08:57 PM Jun 8, 2017
We Also stayed at Kidmans too .aside from the previous comments that we agree with make sure you go to the bowling clubs chinese feed if its still on Magnificent ! Furthermore St George is a lovely town ,well worth the walk around and a a fine simple lunch etc .We stayed just out of town on the right hand side at the park whos name escapes me ,however it was one of the nicest parks we have stayed in period .Cheers
suengreg said
06:49 AM Jun 9, 2017
We have stayed at the Mitchell Caravan Park in Bourke the last couple of years. Dan and Steph took over the park a couple of years ago and it is a great place to stay. Large suites, clean amenities and on some nights a meal is put on. (book for meals by 4.00pm) We will be back there again next year., Also dog friendly
TheHeaths said
07:26 AM Jun 9, 2017
Have stayed (mid 2014) at the Mitchell Park and had no issues.
Park and amenities very nice, and had no problems around Bourke when looking at various places.
The cemetery is interesting, with Fred Hollows grave site, and also a good ride to one of explorer Charles Sturt's compounds he built out of town on the Darling. The Outback Show at the Back of Bourke Centre is also a good show if it is still on.
Santa said
10:31 AM Jun 9, 2017
KFT wrote:
There is also an antique engine in town near the restored paddlesteamer dock. The engine has been restored and is run most days around noon. The operators also explain the history of the engine and it's restoration. A fascinating piece of machinery if you are interested in those sorts of historical items. Quite a few places to see around Bourke and Back of Bourke has tourist info as well.
We visited Bourke on three occasions (three separate trips) for the express purpose of seeing the engine running, disappointed each time, was told "not running today" doubt I'll make another attempt.
Dickodownunder said
12:14 PM Jun 9, 2017
Stayed at the Mitchell Caravan Park and found the park quite good and very friendly managers.
They organised a courtesy bus to pick us up and take us to the Bowling Club and drop us back to the park after we had the "chinese"
Too hot to walk there in Feb, it was 44 deg during the day..
Possum3 said
04:17 PM Jun 9, 2017
Just love Kidman's we always stay when in Bourke (quite often) friendly folk, clean camp kitchen, beautiful spot.
We have stayed at Kidmans several times over the last 5 years and it is always a great experience. A trip on the paddle boat is a good afternoons activity I think it departs at 3pm but check that. There are also campfire meals and bush style entertainment at Kidmans a couple of days of the week.
The "Back of Bourke" experience is a must do and one of the few places we have been where the merchandise was reasonably priced. The meals in the cafe are excellent and good value too.
There is also an antique engine in town near the restored paddlesteamer dock. The engine has been restored and is run most days around noon. The operators also explain the history of the engine and it's restoration. A fascinating piece of machinery if you are interested in those sorts of historical items. Really good scones and coffee at the cafe just near that engine too.
Quite a few places to see around Bourke and Back of Bourke has tourist info as well.
Crime is certainly not as bad as some say and in fact Tamworth has a much higher crime rate.
hope that helps
Frank
Sorry for the negative reviews but we stayed out of town at Bourke on Food & Huts at Mt Oxley (Rossmore Station) a great place to camp.
We took all the bird images for their website while we were there. http://outbackbeds.com.au/food-huts-by-mt-oxley.html
We spoke to someone who parked outside the Visitor information Centre in Bourke & had the drivers window smashed & camera/prescription sunglasses stolen. They were driving around
with taped on plastic where the glass used to be.
Stayed at St George some years back & bought a roast chicken in a foil bag from a local take-away shop. Opened it up back at camp & it was full of maggots.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 8th of June 2017 01:13:47 PM
I've been at both places just recently. At Bourke, I had to stay 3 nights waiting for some van repairs. I stayed at Kidmans which was very safe and had great facilities at a reasonable cost. I did the paddle boat cruise (it runs twice a day but once on Sunday). I also did the "Poetry on a Plate" which is the thing mentioned by KFT and was very enjoyable. The Back of Bourke Centre is worth a visit but you may want to break it into 2 days as there is a lot to see. There is also the wharf, the engine (mentioned above) and a short drive out to the weir.
At St George, I stayed at the park in town up by the weir. Although there were warnings about locking your van and car, it felt reasonably safe there. You are a stone's throw from the weir and there is a really nice river walk into town. There is a little museum right near the park but it wasn't open on the day I was there.
I went via Lightning Ridge and stayed at a little town called Dirrenbandi which has a great little park with good facilities as well. I found all the little outback towns had something to offer and enjoyed my visit to all of them.
Park and amenities very nice, and had no problems around Bourke when looking at various places.
The cemetery is interesting, with Fred Hollows grave site, and also a good ride to one of explorer Charles Sturt's compounds he built out of town on the Darling. The Outback Show at the Back of Bourke Centre is also a good show if it is still on.
We visited Bourke on three occasions (three separate trips) for the express purpose of seeing the engine running, disappointed each time, was told "not running today" doubt I'll make another attempt.
They organised a courtesy bus to pick us up and take us to the Bowling Club and drop us back to the park after we had the "chinese"
Too hot to walk there in Feb, it was 44 deg during the day..