Pet Friendly
Conditions apply – Please enquire
Pet Friendly
Conditions apply – Please enquire
Food & Huts by Mt Oxley
Bourke Accommodation




Welcome to Food & Huts by Mt Oxley!
Rising from a perfectly flat landscape, Mt Oxley has outstanding 360-degree views and showcases the abundance of wildlife, including Wedge-Tailed Eagles and Euros (Macropus Robustus), who inhabit the outcrop of the mountain. Photographers, birdwatchers and bushwalkers – the experience will be unmatched.
Bill and Denise were married in 1976 and have 3 grown children, Pip Claire and Tom, who like to return home when they can.
As both their families lived in the backcountry, around the Tilpa, Hungerford, Enngonia and Fords Bridge districts for many generations, they have lots of personal family history to tell. Ask about the connection of Bill’s Grandfather and Breaker Morant.... and Denise’ Great, Great, Great Grandparents were some of the first arrivals to Bourke in 1862. They love their life and enjoy sharing it with their visitors.
Bill and Denise are founding members of Outback Beds and are very passionate about giving you an ultimate outback experience.
Welcome
Mobile Coverage: Mobile phones on Telstra network will work out in this area. Optus will work on top of Mt Oxley only. Vodaphone doesn't work in this area.
Geology of Mount Oxley
Mount Oxley and the Oxley Range (the low hills to the northeast of Mount Oxley) are composed of quartz-rich sandstone and conglomerate - called the Mulga Downs Group. They are Devonian in age - approximately 410 to 370 million years old. They were most likely deposited in a fluvial (i.e. river) environment. The river system must have been broad and quite high energy, as many of the clasts are rounded, suggesting they have been 'tumbled' along in a river bed, and there are conglomerates as well as sandstones. (Think of a high energy mountain river, rather than the low energy, meandering river like the current-day Darling River). They consist of thick beds of fine to medium-grained sandstone and some pebbly conglomerate. Although the beds look as if they are flat-lying, the beds are actually dipping very shallowly (<5 degrees). The rounded clasts within the conglomerates include clasts of white quartz, granite (probably about 420 million years old) and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks (probably around 475 million years old).
The matrix of the sandstone and conglomerate is very fine-grained quartz which is the reason the rocks are so hard, and they make such a ping when you hit them with a hammer! It is also the reason they form prominent hills - they are very resistive to weathering. There would have been more extensive deposition of the Mulga Downs Group than what we see today. But tectonic uplift and weathering have left us with sporadic outcrops. The Mulga Downs Group is found over a wide area in western NSW, locally at Gunderbooka Range, Bedemeer Mountain and at Mount Druid - but also further afield at Mount Grenfell near Cobar and Mutawintji National Park near Broken Hill. Fish and other fossils found elsewhere in the Mulga Downs Group help constrain the age of the rocks - though only one, the non-diagnostic fish scale has been found at Mount Oxley to date.
An interesting feature at the base of Mount Oxley is an angular unconformity. Stop where the gate is - where the road changes from dirt to tar - and look in the gutter next to the road and walk downhill. You will see slate-like rocks that are almost vertically dipping in the base of the gutter (particularly where the gutter curves away from the road). These rocks are most-likely Ordovician to Silurian in age - so they are approximately 475 to 440 million years old. They were deposited on a continental slope in deep marine water, probably in a turbidity current in a submarine fan. (Probably in an environment like the 10 km off the coast of Sydney.) Overlying these slates are some conglomerates and the almost flat-lying Mulga Downs Group. We call this an angular unconformity because you have flat-lying rocks overlying steeply dipping rocks - this represents a dramatic change in geological conditions with a time gap of 30 to 75 million years or so between the two rock packages. In this time the environment changed from a deep marine environment to a high energy river environment.
The flat areas you drive over to get to Mount Oxley are Quaternary and modern alluvial soils and sands related to the Darling and Bogan river floodplains. (Credit: Geological Survey of New South Wales)
Our Town
-
"If you know Bourke, you know Australia" so wrote the famous Australian poet Henry Lawson in 1882. Although Bourke is a town, it is something that is etched in the psyche of Australia and is commonly used as a reference point to the start of the true Outback. 'Back o Bourke' is a colloquial term for something a long way from anywhere. But being a long way from somewhere is a relative term in Australia as something several hundred kilometres away can sometimes be referred to. To the traveller though, the further 'out' one goes, the closer one gets to the real essence of the land; maybe that is to what Lawson was alluding. Early Australian explorers believed in the existence of an inland sea and the first explorer to test the theory was Charles Sturt in 1828, who, complete with boat, arrived at the area that is now Bourke and discovered the Darling River which unfortunately had no water in it at the time. Major Mitchell followed 1835 to continue Sturts work and set up a stockade to protect provisions for further exploration of the interior. Fort Bourke was the first European structure built in the area and formed the basis of the settlement. With the subsequent opening up of the Darling River and surrounding lands by the river trade, Bourke became a major port by the 1890's servicing southern Queensland and northern NSW, providing a hub for transport for the regions wool clip, which was shipped downstream to Wentworth and onto Echuca or Adelaide.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Mt Oxley
Denise and Bill refer to their rustic accommodation as "Authentic Shearer's Hut ... with a bit of sprucing up." As was the norm in the 1950's, the building is constructed of timber and fibro, featuring 6 bedrooms opening onto the verandah, an original dining room (still furnished as it was in days gone by with a huge table and trestles), an open fireplace, old electric stove and refrigerator and kitchen with a slow combustion two door oven.
The huts feature recently constructed bathrooms but the septic toilets, as early Australian tradition dictated, are still a 30-metre stroll from the accommodation, to which one visitor commented- "if I wanted to sleep next to the toilet I'd be in a motel"
Five of the bedrooms at the huts have been renovated, the pick of them being the Sir Charles Sturt room featuring a view to Mt Oxley through the glass doors.
The huts are situated in natural surroundings and are cleaned on the day of your arrival to ensure freshness.
Authentic Shearer’s Hut ... with a bit of sprucing up.
Featuring 5 bedrooms to accommodate 12 people.
Enjoy cooking on a traditional wood stove and sitting down for your meal at the original dining room table and benches to seat 14 guests.
The open fireplace is terrific for cool evenings and there is a gas BBQ outside.Self-catering or Dinner Bed and Breakfast packages by arrangement.
Cost includes visiting Mt Oxley and use of facilities there. Linen provided.
Bookings essential.
Bush camping is available by the creek. We have firewood available for purchase.
Prices
Rooms all $100 each- cost includes use of the whole building. Tea and coffee supplied –Linen supplied- Free laundryA breakfast pack is available. Supply meal to huts –book well ahead.
You can bring own food –Free BBQ available- Price also includes visit to Mt Oxley where facilities include BBQ kitchen sink, tables chairs and toilets –imagine enjoying drinks and nibbles whilst watching the sunset before your eyes, and then be amazed by the stars at night, so clear, due to distance from lights.
Payment is by Direct Deposit prior to arrival or part deposit to hold the booking and remainder cash on arrival.
Accommodation prices can vary for group bookings or extended stays. Please speak to Denise for further enquiries.
Mt Oxley hut accommodation is closed over hot summer months October to March. Camping is available in dry weather only.
Camping – Dry Bogan River – Bush camping $10 pp
Bill and Denise allow camping by the river which runs parallel with the Kamilaroi Highway, the main road from Bourke to Brewarrina; this is not at Mt Oxley. The camping area is behind a fence and locked gate. You need to phone ahead or have email contact prior to arrival to get directions and code for the locked gate. This natural camping area is for self-contained vehicles only – you need toilet facilities, water and showers. We are pet-friendly; please advise if you are travelling with a pet. This is not a wet weather venue.
Camping at Mt Oxley -$25pp $10 per child
Premium camping is available to view from the best lookout in the region- sunsets and sunrises –birds –Wedgetail Eagles –goats- Euros. Toilets and camp kitchen is available –basic outback style. Showers for use at shearers huts are on the way.
Food atop Mt Oxley
Join Denise for a selection of Devonshire Tea, Homemade Soups and Scones or Nibbles on Mt Oxley. Bookings in advance are essential. 8 people at minimum (if interested please call, you may make up numbers).Things to Do
Things to do:
Mt Oxley
Only 40 minutes from Bourke on Kamilaroi Highway and after some dirt you will arrive at Mt Oxley.
Come along with family and friends to relax and spend quality time together. Enjoy a picnic or BBQ and then go exploring with the children. Have a bush hunt looking for rocks and plants, different logs of wood that resemble animals. So much to see if you look.
Watch the sunset and magnificent sky, whilst enjoying the bush noises, smells, and bird watching, in silence.
Devonshire tea is available when visiting or staying at Mt Oxley, at the huts or on the mountain. Must book ahead with Denise.
Check out the craters, across the way from the facilities. They form part of the mystery, and remain a mystery as to the formation, to this day. Charles Sturt’s Diary’s mention the craters, when he visited in the summer of 1828-29.
All outback regions are steeped in history and legend.
I am excited to find an account in “The Cobb & Co Heritage Trail booklet Bathurst to Bourke‘’.
“Mount Oxley (site only) Changing station on the way to Bourke. The now private property is still owned by the family that ran the change station. Mt Oxley is mentioned in many personal memoirs of Cobb & Co journeys. It was a welcome relief from the flat landscape around it”. Mention at the Bourke Exhibition Centre your wish to camp, it is stunning. Access via Denise 0427815385.
My 3x Great Grandparents James and Francis Reed in 1869 had Lot 1 of Sec 33 at the village of Gongolgon. He was granted Conditional purchases of Portions 8 & 9 for “Mountain House” Hotel at point of Oxley Tableland.
Still held in1889, hotel license for 2 sitting rooms and 3 bedrooms was granted 14/01/1873.
Information from “Bourke Historical Society Volume 1X Page 36 Reed” Books contains much history of the family.
Bourke:
Is a unique and interesting town to spend a few days.
First stop is one of a kind, Bourke Exhibition Centre for help from the friendly staff, for all attractions and services. You can even steer the paddleboat down the Darling River.
So much to do and see: Jandra Paddle vessel, Outback Show and take a trip back in time, by taking a slow ride on the horse-drawn wagon around town.
Learn lots about Bourke on town tour with Stuart. Take an interesting Aboriginal Cultural tour with the Dixon twins Jason and Joseph along the river bank, plus more. Jens Back O Bourke Gallery is not to be missed. Bourkes Wartime history is on view at the Diggers on the Darling.
Bourke’s historic cemetery has many epitaphs which tell of the tragedy that constantly stalked the western plains and backcountry. An hour browsing will take you back to the world of bushrangers, drovers, cameleers, riverboat men, lost children. James and Francis Reed are buried there with double headstone and a low ornate metal fence surrounding.
At the Back O Bourke Information Centre pick up a Premium Package which combines tickets for:
- Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre
- PV Jandra –paddling down the Darling River
- Outback Show April to October 11 am Tuesday to Sunday –Bullock Teams, Working Clydesdales, sheepdogs and wild horses, a very funny show.
- Back O Bourke Tours – departing the Little Birdy Cafe, Wharf Precinct 9.30 am daily. The two and a half hour tours will take in Bourke's historic buildings, Fred Hollows grave at the cemetery, the Lock and Weir and a walk onto the span of the North Bourke Bridge, the Back O Bourke Gallery and possibly the School of Distance Education - before concluding at midday in time to see the Crossley Engine in action at the wharf.
Geology of Mt Oxley area is predominantly acid intrusive rocks with the mount itself mainly metamorphic rocks. The climate of the nearby town of Bourke is semi-arid characterised by hot summers and mild winters Birds observed include striated pardalote, inland thornbill, yellow-rumped thornbill, and southern whiteface. Chestnut-breasted quail thrush and pink cockatoo sited and are of concern for their conservation status. Pick up a copy of "The History and Mystery" of Mt Oxley at the Bourke Visitor Information Center.
Getting Here
Getting to Mt Oxley
Access to Huts by Mt Oxley and Mt Oxley includes travel off the highway on dirt roads. It is approximately 8 km to the huts and the road can be slippery and boggy depending on the amount of rain. The huts are situated on the road to Mt Oxley, another 6kms and approximately 40 minutes from Bourke.
Travel 28kms from Bourke on Kamillaroi HWY which is the road to Brewarrina, turn right at T turnoff marked Tarcoon / Mt Oxley, travel thru 2 ramps to another right turnoff marked Mt Oxley, travel out to the locked gate. Through these two ramps are the huts and shearing shed.
The Gate has many locks and you'll be provided with the code on booking.
The Bourke Shire closes the road after enough rain to do damage to the roads We don't encourage travel if roads are wet, but if you are at the huts and the rains come, we will tow you out if necessary.
Driving to Bourke
Use controls or mouse-wheel to zoom in or out.
Open Information on town or member by clicking panel on top left of map.
There are many different routes that can be taken when driving from any of the capital cities to Bourke.
The following is an overview of the routes from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide that may help you in planning your Outback Beds experience.
From Brisbane:
Warrego Highway > Mitchell Highway: Distance = 970km aprox
From Sydney:
The Great Western Highway >Mitchell Highway > Castlereagh Highway: Distance = 690km approx
From Melbourne:
The Kidman Way: Distance = 1,020km approx
From Adelaide:
Barrier Highway > Darling River Run (Unsealed): Distance = 1,050km Approx
Touring Routes
Touring Routes
-
Starting at the national heritage listed city of Broken Hill or the iconic outback town of Bourke, this route takes you on a true outback adventure. You will drive through historic towns and villages and detour into some fantastic national parks.
-
Never been to the outback but really want to go? Then this touring route is the perfect way to get an insight and understanding of what makes the outback such a wonderful place to visit. The Outback Intro tour while take you to the ‘Back O Bourke’ and you will be able to do so easily and safely in a non-4x4 vehicle with your Outback Beds hosts expecting you every step of the way. After all, the Outback Beds motto is “travel in the outback with friends...”
-
The Darling River Run from Walgett to Wentworth is a spectacular journey stretching nearly 950 kilometres following alongside the mighty Darling. This memorable road trip is rich in history of pioneering days, showcases impressive scenery and highlights indigenous history and culture. Meandering alongside the Darling River be sure to keep your eyes peeled for an abundance of ora and fauna endemic to the region.
Guest Book
What others have said
"We camped adjacent to the creek at Rossmore Station (Mt Oxley) for 5 nights in September 2015. A quiet relaxing, easily accessible and safe camp, behind locked gates, tucked away just off the Kamilaroi Highway. The birdlife was fantastic around the camp area. We visited Mt Oxley twice as well as doing a lot of bushwalking and wildlife photography around the property. A ‘’must stay there again” experience next time that we are in the Bourke area."
Judy and Keith Humphries