Bourke
NSW 2840 • Rest of NSW
About Bourke
Bourke is a remote outback town in far western New South Wales, located on the Darling River approximately 800 kilometres northwest of Sydney. With a population of around 1,700 and a median age of 35, it has a significantly younger demographic than the national average. Aboriginal Australians make up over a third of the population, giving Bourke a strong Indigenous cultural identity. The town is an important service centre for the surrounding pastoral district and has a rich colonial history with numerous State Heritage-listed buildings.
Bourke is famously associated with the expression "back o' Bourke" meaning the remote Australian outback. Despite its isolation, the town offers essential services including schools, a hospital, and local shops along the main street. Key attractions include the Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre, the historic Bourke Wharf, and the Darling River for fishing and canoeing. The surrounding region supports cotton farming, sheep and cattle grazing. The town has a strong community spirit with local sporting clubs and events. Government and agricultural workers form the economic backbone of the community.
Bourke falls under postcode 2840 and is governed by Bourke Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- NSW TrainLink Coach — Dubbo (connecting to XPT rail) 4 hours
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Extremely remote outback town. Bourke Airport has occasional regional flights. Dubbo (370 km) is the nearest major centre with rail connection. Most residents rely entirely on private vehicles.
Compact town centre with shops and services within walking distance, but overall car-dependent due to spread and limited infrastructure
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Green Street
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Bourke High School ICSEA 71434 Tarcoon St
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Bourke Public School ICSEA 702Green St
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Green Street
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Mitchell Highway PO Box 440
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3 Meek Street
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Enngonia Public School ICSEA 600Belalie St
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Louth Public School ICSEA 923Hughes St
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Wanaaring Public School ICSEA 851Bourke-Milparinka Rd
Heritage-Listed Places
There are 10 heritage-listed places in or near Bourke, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Crime Statistics
NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Bourke by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Bourke Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Bourke" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
47 state housing + 25 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. India 19
- 2. Nepal 16
- 3. Pakistan 10
- 4. Philippines 7
- 5. England 5
- 6. Indonesia 4
- 7. Ireland 4
- 8. Malaysia 4
- 9. China 3
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)