Chipping away at the distance left to Lightning Ridge and another 175 kms from Cobar to Bourke. More scrub and many more goats later I arrived at what was an almost empty place and a pie at the Bakery (pretty good about a 7 and so I had two). Except for a few feral kids and a group around the Courthouse all was quiet so I took the opportunity to take a few photos. The Town is rather small with only a few streets in the commercial centre. Bourke has a bit of a reputation as being a bit unsafe but I didn't feel that way.
Traditionally the home of the Ngemba Aboriginal tribe, the area was first explored by Charles Sturt in 1829. Bourke was established on the banks of the Darling River in 1861, the Town becoming a vital link for agriculture for the West and larger Cities to the East via the many Paddle Steamers that plied the river, the first being the "Gemini" of Captain Randall who completed a 900 mile trip from the Murray Junction to reach the district in 1859. Today, Bourke is a Town of 2500, located on the floodplain at the head of the Darling. It is also situated on the edge of The Great Artesian Basin, 640,000 square miles of underground water. This helps keep a million Sheep alive on 500 Stations. Irrigation from the Darling has allowed in the past a significant Cotton industry producing up to 120,000 bales pa and there are two Gins in or close to Town. Surprisingly, fruits including Citrus, Rock and Water Melons, Jojoba and Napunya Honey are grown.
I had been advised not to Free Camp around here so stayed at Kidman Camp a few kms away at North Bourke, a caravan park which had some welcome shade and hot showers. I passed by the "Back O Bourke" centre on the way but at $20 admission I gave it a miss this time.
Tomorrow is a big day with the final 300 km leg to Lightning Ridge.
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