Windorah sits near Cooper Creek in Barcoo Shire, a tiny town in the middle of vast cattle country. Its Yabby Races became one of the outback's quirkiest traditions — and one of the original Outback Now pages most often linked by travel sites and caravanning forums.
What happens
Yabbies (freshwater crayfish) are placed in the middle of a ring and "race" to the edge, with crowds cheering on their chosen crustacean. Visitors can buy or sponsor a yabby, and proceeds support local causes. The day usually includes a bar, food, music and plenty of local hospitality.
Around Windorah
Red sand dunes. A short drive west of town, bright red dunes rise from the plains — perfect at sunset.
Cooper Creek. The creek's channels and waterholes are good for camping and birdwatching.
Solar farm heritage. Windorah was an early adopter of solar power for its town supply.
Getting there
Windorah is reached from Quilpie (sealed) and from Birdsville and Longreach via roads that include unsealed sections. Check QLDTraffic. Fuel, a hotel, a store and a campground are available.
Planning tips
Book early — accommodation is very limited. Combine the races with a trip to Birdsville or along the Channel Country loop.
How the races began
Yabby races are a classic outback fundraiser: cheap to run, easy to understand and guaranteed to get a laugh. In Windorah, the event has become a fixture that brings travellers to a town of only a few dozen permanent residents, and money raised has traditionally gone to local community groups and services. The exact origins and organising arrangements have changed over the years; for current details, contact Barcoo Shire Council or the Windorah visitor information centre.
About yabbies
The common yabby (Cherax destructor) is a freshwater crayfish found across much of inland eastern Australia, living in rivers, dams, waterholes and bore drains. Yabbies can survive dry periods by burrowing into the mud and sealing themselves in until water returns, an adaptation that suits the boom-and-bust rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin. They are also a popular catch for campers. If you plan to catch yabbies yourself, check Queensland fisheries rules on gear, limits and restricted areas before you set a trap, and use only approved, wildlife-friendly traps — some older designs drown platypus and turtles and are banned in many areas.
A typical race day
Race days usually run in heats and finals, with yabbies auctioned or sold to punters beforehand. Each yabby is dropped in the centre of a marked ring, and the first to reach the outer line wins. Expect bush humour, a bar and barbecue, music, children's activities and plenty of time to meet locals and other travellers. Dates have shifted from year to year, so always confirm the date before planning a trip around it.
Windorah and the Cooper
Windorah lies close to where the Thomson and Barcoo rivers join to form Cooper Creek, one of the great rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin. In big wet seasons, floodwaters spread across the Channel Country in a maze of braided channels that can be many kilometres wide, cutting roads for weeks. In dry times the Cooper shrinks to a chain of waterholes, which attract birds and make good camping spots. The name Windorah is often said to come from a local Aboriginal word meaning "big fish", though translations vary.
The red sand dunes west of town are one of the most photographed sights in the Channel Country, especially at sunrise and sunset. Park well off the road and take care climbing loose sand in the heat.
The Channel Country loop
The yabby races fit neatly into a loop through south-west and central-west Queensland. A common circuit runs from Charleville to Quilpie and Windorah, then on to Birdsville and north through Bedourie and Boulia, returning east via Winton and Longreach. Another option heads from Windorah north to Jundah and Longreach. Several sections are unsealed, and some are only suitable for four-wheel drives after rain.
Road safety and conditions
- Check QLDTraffic and the Barcoo Shire Council road report before leaving, especially between November and April.
- Carry extra fuel, water and food; distances between towns are long and fuel stops are few.
- Lower tyre pressures on rough unsealed roads, and slow down for bulldust and floodways.
- Never drive through floodwater, and obey road closure signs — fines apply in Queensland for driving on closed roads.
- Avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night because of stock and kangaroos; see kangaroos and driving safety.
Accommodation
Windorah's options are small: a hotel, a caravan and camping area and limited other beds. During events, expect everything to be booked well in advance and bring a self-sufficient camp setup. Bush camping along the Cooper may be possible in designated areas; check local rules and respect private land.
Other quirky outback events
If you enjoy the yabby races, you might also like the camel races at Boulia and elsewhere, or the Birdsville Races. Our seasonal calendar lists events by month.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
When are the Windorah Yabby Races held?
The races have traditionally been held around Easter. Check Barcoo Shire Council or the event organisers for the current date.
Where is Windorah?
Windorah is in south-west Queensland's Channel Country, near Cooper Creek, about 1,200 km west of Brisbane and roughly 380 km east of Birdsville.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Barcoo Shire Council — Barcoo Shire Council
- Outback Queensland events — Outback Queensland Tourism Association
