Warren & Lorraine: Charleville, Bourke

On the way to Charleville we went through Ilfracombe, where their museum lined the main road with old farm machinery and steam engines.

We were intrigued by the name of the Hotel who's name was Wellshot Hotel dating from 1890
The interior contains memorabilia from the height of the wool-station era.

Wellshot Hotel

We had a 1 night stop in Blackall, where the town water supply comes from the Artesian Basin 1000 ft below the surface, it comes out of the tap warm and stinks of sulphur.

Next we stayed over in Charleville, the information centre is a good place to visit where they had a celestrial presentation, we visited the national parks research centre to look at the endangered species of the Yellow Footed Wallabies.

Each night the caravan park puts on a meal cooked in a camp oven or a spit roast, ours was a camp oven night, we had beef stew, apple crumble and the real billy tea cooked on the open fire.

After dinner we all contributed to a fun raising yabbie race with the profits going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, our yabbie did not finish, went to sleep just short of the winning post.

Camp ovens

Food line

Yabbie Race

On the way to Bourke we stayed over night in Cunnamulla

The survival of Cunnamulla was undoubtedly linked to the reliable water supply provided by the Warrego River (in fact the word 'Cunnamulla' is widely accepted to be an Aboriginal term meaning either 'big waterhole' or 'long stretch of water') and to the arrival of the railway in 1899. Today it is still an important rail head for the surrounding area, being the end of the branch line which runs south from Charleville.

While there is little to tempt the curious traveller in Cunnamulla the town has a distinct old world charm. The hotels in the main street have remained unchanged for over half a century, the shops still have a pre-supermarket feel to them, and the tree-lined streets evoke the world of the country town long past.

The Cunnamulla Man (a poem written by Banjo Patterson)

Bourke is a wonderful community established in 1861 on the banks of the Darling River. Historically, the town was a vital link for agriculture in the west and larger cities to the east. Today the town welcomes all visitors with a smile and G'day.

Bourke and the surrounds have a multitude of activities for visitors, ranging from cruising the Darling river to watching the eagles soar at Mount Oxley. Our established township offers pubs and clubs, coffee & gift shops, chemist, motor repairs and supermarkets. We also boast a new hospital facility and established community health services.

As you get closer to Bourke tune to one of our local radio stations at 585 AM and 106.5 FM.

May's Bend