Alice Springs, NT · Winter
Finke Desert Race
King's Birthday long weekend, June (4 days)
The Finke Desert Race is one of the fastest and most demanding off-road races in the world: bikes, buggies and trophy trucks racing 230 kilometres from Alice Springs south to Aputula (Finke) and back over the King's Birthday long weekend in June. The whooped-out desert track has been breaking machines and making legends since 1976.
Around 10,000 spectators camp along the length of the track, turning the dunes into a two-day ribbon of campfires and cheering. "There and back" takes the leaders under four hours; surviving at all is the amateur field's badge. Winter desert nights drop near zero, so campers pack accordingly.
- Sport
- Regional Tourism
- When
- King's Birthday long weekend, June (4 days)
- How often
- Every year
- Venue
- Finke track through desert country
- Crowd
- Estimated 10,000 spectators
- Entry
- Free + ticketed
- Setting
- Outdoor
- Public holiday
- King's Birthday (NT)
Dates shown follow the event's typical pattern; exact dates change each year, so confirm on the official site before booking travel.
Getting there by bus
Tell us where you're starting from and we'll find coach options to Alice Springs.
The race starts and finishes in Alice Springs; most spectators base themselves there.
Fares and timetables are confirmed on the operator's site before you book.
