Is free camping an option for Bourke tourism?

Free Camping at May’s Bend upstream of Bourke. Photo TWH

Providing free camping within the Bourke Shire has been in Council’s sights for a while as Bourke Shire Council faces the reality that campers are changing the way they do business.

Bourke Shire Council General Manager Leonie Brown said that caravan travellers are changing their ways, and they’re no longer always looking for a traditional caravan park.

“At the moment around Bourke, we don’t have a free camping space as such, with council having resolved at its February meeting that I provide a report to council in March which identifies suitable temporary and secure sites for free camping within close proximity to Bourke.”

Mrs Brown said in recent times there have been issues with campers setting up illegally.

“Previously we have had people camping on Crown Lands – like around old North Bourke Bridge and the North Bourke boat ramp, where free camping is not permitted,” she said.

“When this happens, we have to ask the caravanners and campers to move on, and Bourke Shire Council is not the only council that does that in similar situations. […]

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