The Darling River Run

20 hours ago

🌸 Springtime Adventures in Bourke! 🌸

As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to get off the bitumen and get those wheels dusty! 🚗💨

Exploring Bourke and our villages isn’t just a road trip — it’s an Outback adventure. Meet the locals, pull up a stool at one of our country pubs, enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner, and wash it down with something cold.

From red dirt tracks to big blue skies, every stop has a story. So hit the road, take the scenic route, and see where Bourke takes you this spring.

#visitbourke #outbacknsw #darlingriverrun #springadventures #backobourke ... See MoreSee Less

The Darling River Run

1 day ago

Liz at Trilby Station is closed for a couple of weeks as she takes a well earned break

We are OPEN and ready to cater for all your needs along the Darling in the Louth area
Private river Camps, fire pits, showers, toilets, potable water, photography, birdlife and all your basic groceries and supplies while you are here
Morning tea and tours at 11am 🧁☕️

Come and surround yourself in the 1800s ⭐️🎣💦 ... See MoreSee Less

The Darling River Run

4 days ago

🐑 HISTORY ON THE RUN!
Koerstz Squatters Wool Press - Trilby Station - #louth.

Wool presses have greatly influenced the Australian pastoral industry. The development of effective and efficient wool presses saved labour costs, increased the number of sheep that could be shorn on a farm, and increased the value of wool when it went to market. If wool was well-packed and pressed, it presented well in European markets and thus commanded a good price. Pressing also decreased the cost of transport because shipping space was charged by volume rather than weight.

Prior to the development of mechanical presses, wool was baled by hand. It was a laborious process that required a number of farm workers. Wool was spade-pressed in boxes after being trampled down by foot. A layer of fleeces was squashed in a box, then a spade was used to squeeze more fleeces into gaps between fleeces and around the edges. Trampling and squeezing continued until there were 16 fleeces per bale. This type of pressing created lumpy and uneven bales.

Screw presses followed but they were extremely time-consuming. Large lever presses that used horse or man-power became common in the 1840s. 'Travelling box' presses were introduced in the 1860s. There were many variations and most were too expensive for graziers of small flocks to buy. Those farmers would usually take their sheep to be shorn at larger properties.

In the 1890s, Christian Koerstz, in business with Frederick Mason, designed and made cheap, efficient presses for small landholders. They transformed the industry. The presses occupied little floorspace and could be operated by one man. By the 1930s about 12,000 small Koerstz Selectors' and Homestead Lessees' presses had been sold around Australia and the world. By 1910 the heavier 'Squatter' press was standard equipment in most big shearing sheds.

A great example of the Koerstz Squatters Wool Press can be found on display in front of the 'Shearers Bunkhouse' accommodation at Trilby Station.

#DarlingRiverRun #outontherun #OutbackBeds #koerstz #pastoralheritage ... See MoreSee Less

The Darling River Run

7 days ago

A historic town set on the banks of the Darling River, there’s much to see and do around Bourke.

Here’s a few of our favourites 👇

🔎 Discover the incredible history of the region at the Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre

🚢 Cruise the Darling River on the Jandra Paddle Vessel (note: this one’s seasonal, so plan your visit accordingly)

⚙️ View the old wharf and experience the Crossley Engine display at the Wal Mitchell Wharf Precinct

🌇 Capture the perfect sunset shot at the old North Bourke Bridge

🍃 See ancient Aboriginal rock art at nearby Gundabooka National Park

🗺️ Visit Fred Hollows Vision Way, Poets Corner, the Historic Cemetery and the Nancy Bird Air Terminal

📍@visitbackobourke, NSW

Image via Visit NSW ... See MoreSee Less