Bourke · Sat 22 July 2028
4m 05s
of totality
1:50:14 pm to 1:54:19 pm AEST
Bourke eclipse times (AEST)
Bourke: eclipse begins 12:27:20 pm · totality 1:50:14 pm to 1:54:19 pm (4 min 05 s) · eclipse ends 3:09:23 pm. The table below has times for every town nearby.
Why Bourke
Two reasons: time and weather. Bourke is close to the centre line, so totality lasts just over four minutes, longer than Dubbo, Mudgee or Sydney. And in winter the far west is much drier than the coast and the ranges. Bourke averages about 17.5 clear days in July against about 12 in Sydney and 6.6 in Bathurst.
Mind the edge
The path is narrower out here than it looks on a small map. Louth, about 100 km down the Darling, sits just outside the southern edge and gets only a deep partial eclipse (no totality (99.9% covered)). Gundabooka National Park is in the path but nearer the edge (2 min 54 s). Cobar is outside it altogether (no totality (99.3% covered)). If you are travelling to Bourke for the eclipse, stay close to town or head north.
Plan the trip
Bourke is about 760 km from Sydney, a long day's drive via Dubbo and Nyngan, or a flight to Bourke or Dubbo. Accommodation in town is limited, so book early, and expect camping grounds along the river to fill. Carry water and fuel up wherever you can on the way.
What you'll see in Bourke, minute by minute
Times are AEST for Bourke.
- 12:27:20 pmfirst contact. On the river at Bourke Wharf, the Moon takes its first small bite. Glasses on.
- About 1:17 pmabout 50% covered. The bright outback light dims and turns silvery. Under the river red gums, the shadows become small crescents.
- About 1:33 pmabout 75% covered. The afternoon cools noticeably, and the birds along the Darling may start to settle as if it were evening.
- About 1:43 pmabout 91% covered. Watch the western sky: across the flat country you can see the Moon's shadow coming, a darkening wall on the horizon.
- 1:50:14 pmthe diamond ring, then more than four minutes of totality. Glasses stay on. The sky goes dark and the whole flat horizon glows orange, a full 360° sunset.
- 1:54:19 pmthe second diamond ring and totality ends. Glasses stay on.
- 3:09:23 pmlast contact. The Moon moves clear and the eclipse over Bourke is over.
Where to look
At totality the eclipse sits 35° up in the north-north-west (bearing 334° true), higher in the sky than on the coast. The country around Bourke is flat, so a clear view is easy. Keep river red gums and buildings on that side at a distance: anything closer than about 1.8 times its height blocks the eclipse, so allow about 36 m from a 20 m gum.
Eclipse times near Bourke
| Place | Totality begins | Totality | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bourke | 1:50:13 pm | 4m 07s | 100% |
| Bourke | 1:50:14 pm | 4m 05s | 100% |
| Fords Bridge | 1:49:13 pm | 4m 04s | 100% |
| Byrock | 1:51:22 pm | 3m 51s | 100% |
| Enngonia | 1:49:51 pm | 3m 49s | 100% |
| Brewarrina | 1:52:01 pm | 3m 27s | 100% |
| Nyngan | 1:53:19 pm | 3m 16s | 100% |
| Gundabooka | 1:50:44 pm | 2m 54s | 100% |
| Louth | No totality | None | 99.9% |
| Cobar | No totality | None | 99.3% |
Times AEST, computed from the JPL DE421 lunar ephemeris with NASA/Espenak Besselian elements. Near the edge of the path, durations can shift by several seconds, so treat edge figures as approximate.
July weather in Bourke
A typical July · Bourke Post Office, BOM 048013
Bourke is the clearest place on the NSW part of the path in July. Eclipse weather expert Jay Anderson (Eclipsophile) rates prospects west of the Great Dividing Range as excellent to very good. Even so, watch the forecast; inland winter fronts do bring cloud on some days.
Where to watch in Bourke
Bourke Wharf
Riverfront · Bourke
The replica paddle-steamer wharf on the Darling, right in town.
Sightline. Step back from the river red gums for clear sky to the north-north-west.
Getting there. On the river in the town centre.
Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre
Visitor centre · Bourke
Open grounds by the river, with facilities and local information.
Sightline. Open ground with clear sky to the north-north-west.
Getting there. On the northern edge of town.
North Bourke
River crossing · North Bourke
A couple of seconds more than town, by the old North Bourke Bridge.
Sightline. Flat river country; keep the gums off your north-north-west side.
Getting there. Across the Darling on the Mitchell Highway, about 5 km from town.
Mount Oxley
Outcrop · east of Bourke
The only high point for a long way, with a 360° view over the plains and a little more totality.
Sightline. Wide open sky in every direction.
Getting there. About 40 km east of Bourke on unsealed roads.
Heads up. Access is restricted and conditions apply. Check with the Back O' Bourke Exhibition Centre first.
Quick answers
Where is the longest totality in NSW?
Around Bourke: 4 min 05 s in town and 4 min 07 s at North Bourke.
Does Bourke have good weather in July?
The best on the NSW part of the path: about 17.5 clear days in an average July (BOM, Bourke Post Office).
Is Louth in the path of totality?
No. Louth is just outside the southern edge and gets a deep partial eclipse (no totality (99.9% covered)). Stay near Bourke or head north for totality.
Keeping your eyes safe
Every second of the eclipse, totality included, needs ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. The bright outback light makes it tempting to go without; don't. Sunglasses, smoked glass and homemade filters are never safe, and a camera, binoculars or a telescope must have a proper solar filter on the front.
Every pair is ISO 12312-2 certified and tested by an independent lab. You can check the test certificate online.
Buy eclipse glassesFor schools, clubs and venues
The eclipse is on a Saturday, so schools in Bourke, Brewarrina and the surrounding district will need to hand out glasses and run safety lessons by Friday 21 July 2028. With visitors coming from across Australia, Bourke Shire, accommodation hosts and tour operators should allow one certified pair per guest and order early. We supply bulk cartons, fundraising boxes of 20 to 250 pairs, and custom-branded glasses.
- Eclipse glasses for councils and events
- Custom-branded glasses
- Eclipse glasses for schools
- Eclipse safety plan for schools
Guides for nearby towns
- Dubbo eclipse guide
- Mudgee eclipse guide
- NSW eclipse guide
- 2028 eclipse times across Australia
- Interactive eclipse map