Bourke Shire

Bourke is popularly known as the ‘Gateway to the Real Outback.’ Traditionally a wool growing area, Bourke was once the biggest wool railhead in the world. Today, cotton has taken over as the major industry. Bourke also boasts a thriving horticultural sector which produces grapes, citrus, fruit plums, apricots and melons as well as a variety of vegetable crops. 

Alternative native crops such as peanuts, jojoba and the unique Napunya honey are also produced in the area. A state of the art small livestock abattoir is on the market offering investment potential for the Bourke district. On-farm employment and service industries are mainstays in the area while professional jobs are available in the areas of social services, education, environment and agriculture.

Bourke Shire Population
Population: 2,596
Bourke Shire Land Area
Land Area: 4,159,950.72ha
Distance from Sydney
Distance from Sydney: 800km
Climate
Climate: 4-40oC
Median Rent
Median Rent: $280pw
Median House Price
Median Property Prices: $118,750
Local Businesses
Local Businesses: 299 (June 2021)
Local Jobs
Local Jobs: 1,036
Labour Force Participation Rate
Labour Force Participation Rate: 53.17%

Top Industries

  • Healthcare
  • Public Administration
  • Education

Attractions

  • Back o’ Bourke Exhibition Centre
  • Byrock Rock Holes
  • Cruise on the Darling River aboard a paddle steamer
  • Gundabooka and Toorale National Parks
  • Mt Oxley
  • Nancy Bird Air Terminal
  • Poets’ Corner
  • Wharf precinct
Shire WebsiteVisit Bourke