Birdsville, QLD · Spring
Birdsville Races
First weekend of September (Friday and Saturday)
The Birdsville Races have run since 1882 on a dirt track at the edge of the Simpson Desert, and they remain outback Australia's most famous race meeting. On the first weekend of September a town of around 100 people swells to 6,000 or more for two days of racing, all raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Getting there is the point: most visitors fly in on light aircraft or drive the long desert roads and camp beside the town. Expect dust, heat, characters and a bar that earns its legend. It is remote in every sense, and unforgettable for exactly that reason.
- Sport
- Regional Tourism
- Community Event
- When
- First weekend of September (Friday and Saturday)
- How often
- Every year
- Venue
- Birdsville Racetrack
- Crowd
- Approx. 6,000-7,000
- Entry
- Paid
- Setting
- Outdoor
Dates shown follow the event's typical pattern; exact dates change each year, so confirm on the official site before booking travel.
Getting there
No scheduled coach services reach Birdsville; it is deep in the Queensland outback, and most race-goers drive or fly in.