A RIVER ROAD TRIP

GEOGRAPHY quiz: What’s less than 1000km from Australia’s three biggest cities and dishes up a true taste of the Aussie outback? The answer: Bourke, NSW.

Yep, the tiny dot on the map that for many is a convenient place to restock before a broader adventure into the yonder is also surprisingly close (remember, we’re talking Australian outback close) to a fair chunk of Australia’s population, including Brisbane (924km), Sydney (758km) and Melbourne (982km).

Bourke is one of the bigger towns on the Darling River Run that meanders from Walgett in the north to Wentworth on the Victorian border. It’s a fascinating insight into the former thriving port towns that played an integral role in transporting wool and establishing inland Australia.

In all, there’s 730km to play with down The Run, but for this adventure we’re showing how you can change it up, crafting your own side trips delving into the best outback NSW has to offer. With national parks, Aboriginal culture and an insight into what makes the outback tick, the Darling River is the perfect spine to soak up the outback within a long day’s drive of big civilisation.

Much of the Darling River Run is on well-packed gravel roads where, like all outback adventures there’s always the risk of punctures. While 2H will suffice for much of the trip, it pays to have a proper 4x4 for variable road conditions – and so you’re not limited on any planned side trips.

BOURKE

WHICHEVER way you attack it from, Bourke