Birdsville’s location in the Corner Country where Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory meet is undoubtedly remote. To the south lie the infinite gibber plains of Sturt’s Stony Desert. Travel west, and it’s the red rolling dunes of the colossal Simpson Desert. To the north, you’ll find the alluvial floodplains of the rich Channel Country. And east? Well, it’s a 1600km journey from Brisbane. But it’s a journey that’s well worth it.
This ultra-small town of just over 100 people is home to two mammoth events; the Birdsville Races and Big Red Bash, when the population swells to around 8,000. In quieter moments, the iconic Birdsville Hotel provides a welcoming cool drink and some friendly banter with the ever-welcoming locals. You can take a dip in the Birdsville Billabong, watch an epic sunset over the Big Red sand dune, and follow the trail of ill-fated Burke and Wills. This is one wild west town you don’t want to miss.
You should plan to visit Birdsville during the cooler months from May to September. It is possible to visit during summer; however, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Birdsville is one of the hottest places in Outback Australia, often reaching temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. In winter, you’ll find perfect blue sky days and temperatures of around 20-25C. Nights can fall to below 0C so remember to pack plenty of warm clothes.
The famous Birdsville Races are held each September. This is serious racing with a 13-race program, offering over $260,000 in prize money and all of the glamour of a racing carnival. Racing enthusiasts, international horses and those just looking to experience the fanfare flock to this unique meet in a desert landscape.
The Big Red Bash is held each July. This is the most remote music festival in the world and attracts crowds of up to 10,000, with headliners including Jimmy Barnes and Midnight Oil. Those choosing to make the trek to Birdsville for either event find accommodation in a temporary tent city.
Throughout the rest of the year, Birdsville has three accommodation choices; the Birdsville Lodge, Tourist Park, or the famous hotel. They’re all within cooee of each other and have options to suit all budgets whether you’re looking for a campsite, cabin, self-catering, or motel.
Most people travel to Birdsville via road; however, flights are available from Brisbane. And part of the adventure of Birdsville is in getting there. Those keen on driving will need to be thoroughly prepared.
Travelling by car in remote Outback Queensland requires careful planning beyond checking road conditions, watching for wildlife, and taking enough food and water for the journey. You’ll need a UHF Radio (and know how to use it), as mobile coverage is limited. You should travel by 4WD or AWD and carry an extra spare tyre.
If this sounds too hard, then catch a tour heading to Birdsville. Our Longreach, Winton and Birdsville Bonanza tour not only takes in all of the best sights, but we do all the preparation and have your safety covered.
Despite being in the middle of the outback, you might be surprised to hear that a natural billabong is situated on the outskirts of Birdsville. Locals and visitors can often fish, paddle, and kayak there.
The closest town to Birdsville is Bedourie, which is about 200 km southeast. Bedourie is a small town in the Diamantina Shire, and it is situated on a sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert. It's a popular stopover for travellers heading to Birdsville and is known for its hot springs, historic sites, and Aboriginal cultural tours.
The Birdsville Races, an iconic outback horse racing event, occurs in early September each year. This 13-race program draws in over 6000 attendees annually, offering two days of quality outback racing and three nights of live entertainment.
Birdsville experiences a desert climate with temperatures varying throughout the year. Summers can be extremely hot, reaching highs of around 40°C, while winters are milder, with daytime temperatures averaging between 20-25°C. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly, especially during winter, so visitors should be prepared for temperature fluctuations.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
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