For decades travellers and workers have reclined on their hand-carved rocking chair from their hand-built log cabins, watching as the Jandra river boat paddles by. This is a scene many know well from Bourke’s iconic Kidman’s Camp, which owner Tracey Simmonds and her family are finally saying goodbye to. 

Tracey and her husband Peter, two competitive rodeo riders, grew up in the area and Bourke felt like the ideal to set up camp, quite literally.

Set on the Darling River at North Bourke, the pair chose the open space for its proximity to the river amid a growing tourism industry in the 1990s, and by 1998 were ready to open. 



“It was a tourist park, but to suit seasonal workers as well. There were so many citrus fruits here,” Tracey said.

Since the citrus industry has left town, Kidman’s Camp has become almost exclusive to travellers, and between campsites and cabins can accommodate 300 people at any one time. 

Peter and Tracey both grew up in the Bourke area.

“We’ve been building it right from the start. As there was a need to expand, we expanded more and more,” Tracey said. 

“All of it is my favourite part,” she said, “It’s been something pretty special because we built it from red dirt to what it is today,” she said.

‘Special’ seems to be the key word for the family. It was special to build a place from something into nothing, and even more special to see that place become an icon of the local community, helping Bourke to make its mark on the map. 

With her children having grown up, Tracey said it’s time to go. 

“I have thought it for a little while, but because Peter built it all, he’s very tightly connected to the place. Since he passed away, I’ve just got to move on,” Tracey said. 

For daughter Sally, who grew up amongst the beautiful chaos of travellers coming and going, meeting new people every day, it’s a big step to be saying goodbye to her home. 

“It’s been the backbone of everything for a long time, and basically given me every opportunity possible…it’s been an unbelievable life growing up here with my brother and sister,” Sally said.

Kayla, Peter, Tracey, Sally and Clay Simmonds have created their family home at the popular caravan park.

Kidman’s Camp is where, in the background of running the park, the family bred and trained horses, the Simmonds children - Kayla, Clay and Sally - competing on national and international stages in equestrian events. 

With Kidman’s Camp in the rear view mirror, Sally will join her brother in Europe, training to earn a place in the 2026 Olympics, a promise she made to her father before she lost him. 

 “It’s certainly very hard to imagine that in the five months since Dad has gone we’re selling the park and it’s going to be completely different. But we all know it’s time, that chapter in our lives is over and Clay and I really want to make things happen for ourselves, Sally said.  

After almost three decades, the family is saying goodbye to Kidman's Camp

With a fresh start on the horizon, there’s no plans for where the family will go next, or what they will do. 

“I have no idea, there is so much unknown. This place has been our life, 24/7, for a lot of years…you don’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing,” Tracey said. 

With the park officially on the market, the Simmonds family are ready to pack up camp.