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One of Australiaโ€™s great driving adventures

Discover the Darling River and Experience Outback NSW


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Discover the Darling River Run Attractions

The Darling River Run Discovery Directory - Discover attractions and activities, camping locations, where to stay, eat & drink, supplies, services and more.

The Darling River Run

The Darling River Run is a thin, winding line describing a route through the NSW outback, characterised by landscape, history, culture, literature and adventure. Taken as a whole, or in its various component parts, the route provides an opportunity to see the real Australian Bush and experience some safe and easy off-road driving, connect with Aboriginal culture and iconic Towns & Locations along the Darling River, and drench yourself in the history, and contemporary life of a part of the country that is central to the national psyche.

About the Darling River Run

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Explore the Towns of the Darling River

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The Darling River is the third longest river in Australia and is the lifeblood of Outback NSW. Only a small percentage of the Darlingโ€™s water comes from within the Western Catchment - the majority of โ€œfreshโ€ enters the system from Queensland rains (rain falling west of the Divide in Queensland). Be sure during your drive that you call in to the Visitor Information Centres in each township and chat with the friendly staff who are knowledgeable on the best vantage points, local attractions, river history and updated road conditions.

The Darling River Run Social News

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๐ŸŒธ Springtime Adventures in Bourke! ๐ŸŒธ

As the weather warms up, itโ€™s the perfect time to get off the bitumen and get those wheels dusty! ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ’จ

Exploring Bourke and our villages isnโ€™t just a road trip โ€” itโ€™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
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Other worldly landscapes #OutOnTheRun. 

โ“Do you know which section of the #DarlingRiverRun these photos were taken? Hint - Western side of the Darling River.Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment

Other worldly landscapes #outontherun.

โ“Do you know which section of the #DarlingRiverRun these photos were taken? Hint - Western side of the Darling River.
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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 ๐Ÿงโ˜•๏ธ

Come and surround yourself in the 1800s โญ๏ธ๐ŸŽฃ๐Ÿ’ฆ
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We went to Dunlop Stn tours a couple of weeks ago and loved the history tour and morning tea. We drove to Bourke and onto Louth and stayed the night in a cabin at Shindy's Inn on the bank of the beautiful Darling River. Booked the historical tour of Dunlop Stn.. what a wonderful old farm. Then onto Tilpa and back to our van which we left in Cobar. Great trip

Please treat yourself to this area of our beautiful country. Dunlop station is simply stunning!! And morning tea is just the start of an amazing tour of Dunlop Station ๐Ÿ˜

It’s a must do if your in the area

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Nice quandong harvest at Bindara Station... This native species and its edible fruit is also known as the native peach. The fruit has an exotic flavouring and is one of the best known bush tucker foods.Image attachmentImage attachment

Nice quandong harvest at Bindara Station... This native species and its edible fruit is also known as the native peach. The fruit has an exotic flavouring and is one of the best known bush tucker foods. ... See MoreSee Less

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No grubs makes a tasty jam

Yum

That time of year and near a good water source.

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๐Ÿ‘ 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

๐Ÿ‘ 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
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7 CommentsComment on Facebook

Yes they were

Done Nearly Ten Years on Them and Ronaldson and Tippet and a Few Ferriers Pressers in the Good old Days made you Fit and Probably made me Drink ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

I used one on two property for two different owner from the time I was 17 till i left Tambar District 1n 1984๐Ÿ˜Ž

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

Hereโ€™s a few of our favourites ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”Ž Discover the incredible history of the region at the Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre

๐Ÿšข Cruise the Darling River on the Jandra Paddle Vessel (note: this oneโ€™s seasonal, so plan your visit accordingly)

โš™๏ธ View the old wharf and experience the Crossley Engine display at the Wal Mitchell Wharf Precinct

๐ŸŒ‡ Capture the perfect sunset shot at the old North Bourke Bridge

๐Ÿƒ See ancient Aboriginal rock art at nearby Gundabooka National Park

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Visit Fred Hollows Vision Way, Poets Corner, the Historic Cemetery and the Nancy Bird Air Terminal

๐Ÿ“@visitbackobourke, NSW

Image via Visit NSW
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I recommend a trip in the bowls clubs courtesy bus with Will the driver and his sidekick dribbles, plenty of humour!! Isaac Eldridge Breanna Eldridge Kate Clark

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The Darling River Run