Birdsville Races

The Birdsville Races are the outback's best-known race meeting. Old Outback Now event and tour listings for the races were among the site's most-linked pages, and this guide replaces them. For the town itself, see our Birdsville town guide.

A short history

The Birdsville Race Club traces its first meeting to 1882, when Birdsville was a young border customs town. Early races were informal affairs for station hands and local horses. Over the twentieth century the meeting grew into a fixture of the outback calendar, and from the 1980s onwards it became a destination event, with visitors flying in on light aircraft and driving thousands of kilometres. The races have been cancelled on occasion, including in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and severe weather has disrupted some meetings.

What happens over the weekend

The meeting is run over two days on the dirt track just outside town, with a program of thoroughbred races culminating in the Birdsville Cup. Around the racing there are fashions on the field, live music, the boxing tent that has been a long-running fixture, and plenty of socialising at the Birdsville Hotel. Many visitors arrive days early and make a week of it, combining the races with the Simpson Desert and Big Red.

Planning your trip

• Book early. Flights, tours and the limited fixed accommodation sell out well in advance.
• Camping: large camping areas open around town for race week. Facilities are basic; bring your own water, shade and supplies, and follow the organisers' rules.
• Tickets: buy through the official website. We do not list prices because they change each year.
• Supplies: fuel and groceries are available in Birdsville but demand is high during race week; arrive with full tanks and plenty of food and water.

Getting there

• From Brisbane or the east: via Charleville, Quilpie and Windorah — the last section is unsealed in parts.
• From the north: via Mount Isa, Boulia and Bedourie.
• From Adelaide: via Marree and the Birdsville Track, about 520 km of unsealed road.
• By air: charter flights, scenic flights and scheduled regional services operate; the airstrip is very busy during race week.
• By tour: coach and 4WD tour operators run multi-day race packages.

Roads can close after rain. Check QLDTraffic, SA outback road warnings and the Diamantina Shire Council before leaving, and obey closures.

Safety

Birdsville is remote. Carry a satellite communication device, spare tyres, recovery gear and enough water for several days. Plan for heat during the day and cold nights. Don't drink and drive; police patrol during race week. Dust storms can roll in quickly — secure your camp.

Other outback race meetings

If you can't make Birdsville, consider the Windorah yabby races, outback camel races, or the race days and rodeos in our festivals, rodeos and race days guide.

2027 dates

The organisers list the 2027 Birdsville Races for Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September 2027, the meeting's 145th year. The Birdsville Cup is run on the Saturday. Ticket release dates for 2027 had not been announced when we last checked; see the official Birdsville Races website.

Supporting the Flying Doctor

The Birdsville Races are closely associated with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the race club has raised money for the RFDS over many years. In a town as remote as Birdsville, the RFDS is a vital part of health care, and race week is a reminder of why. See The Royal Flying Doctor Service for the history.

Birdsville beyond race week

Birdsville sits on the Diamantina River on the edge of the Simpson Desert, on the Country of the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi people. Even outside race week, it is a bucket-list destination:

• The Birdsville Hotel — the historic pub, built in the 1880s, is one of the outback's most famous.
• The Birdsville Bakery — known for its curried camel pies and other outback specialties.
• Big Red (Nappanerica) — about 35 km west of town, this towering sand dune is the traditional gateway to the Simpson Desert. Climbing it in a 4WD takes skill; walking up at sunset is easier.
• Waddi Trees — a stand of rare waddi trees (Acacia peuce) north of town.
• The Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre — information on roads, parks and local history.
• The Diamantina River — waterholes for birdwatching, especially after flooding upstream.

The Simpson Desert

Many race-goers combine Birdsville with a crossing of the Simpson Desert to Dalhousie Springs and Oodnadatta, or vice versa. The crossing requires a high-clearance 4WD, sand flag, recovery gear and self-sufficiency, and a desert parks pass from South Australia's National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Simpson Desert parks close over the hottest months, generally from December to mid-March. Read our Simpson Desert guide and 4WD driving guide before attempting it.

Responsible camping

Race week brings thousands of visitors to a town of only about a hundred residents. Organisers set up temporary facilities, but the impact on the land is significant. Camp only in designated areas, use the toilets and bins provided, take all your rubbish home and don't collect firewood from around town — bring your own. Respect the Diamantina River and its waterholes, and keep noise down late at night out of consideration for others.

Other big events near Birdsville

The Big Red Bash music festival has been held near Birdsville in July. The organisers say the 2026 Big Red Bash was cancelled after floodwater inundated the site, and the 2027 event (6–8 July 2027) will be the final one. Check its official website for updates. Birdsville also hosts smaller community events through the year. Our seasonal calendar lists the region's main events by month.

Practical information

• When: early September (check official dates).
• Where: Birdsville, far south-west Queensland.
• Official site: birdsvilleraces.com.