Hungerford to Bourke

Monday 10th October:We have driven many dirt roads around Australia but I must say that the current condition of the Hungerford road to Bourke was one of the most unpleasant journeys we have had in a while. Even with the van tyres at 22psi and the 4wd front at 25 and rear at 28 the road was a bone jarer. The road was similar to the Thargomindah road but just worse with lots of corrugations, stony sections and hard clay based road full of holes and washouts you are unable to see until you are upon them. The 220 kilometres took us 4 1/2 hours. We are staying at the Kidman's Camp caravan Park at North Bourke.

Tuesday 11 October:
This morning we took the PV Jandra paddleboat cruise and in the afternoon the "Back of Bourke" tour in a 20 seater bus. I can highly recommend both these tours. The Jandra tour lasts one hour and the commentary just never stopped with wonderful information about the Darling River and it's history and the old North Bourke bridge built in 1883. The "Back of Bourke" tour lasted 4 hours and Stuart who has lived here for over thirty years takes you all through town then to a cotton gin and lastly to an orchard where we were able to pick as many mandarines as we wished.
Photo showing the North Bourke Bridge:

Wednesday 12 October:
This morning we visited the Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre which I highly recommend. It was then into town for some shopping and lunch at the chinese restaurant at the Bowlo. Tomorrow we depart south to take in the Darling River run to Menindee.