Birdsville Races

Call of the card

Departing Stawell early morning, we track north over the Wimmera and Mallee areas of Victoria, crossing the Murray River at Mildura, then on over the Darling River passing the extensive areas of Dry Lakes of the Annabranch river system, the sheep station properties of western New South Wales to Broken Hill for a fuel stop and morning tea. Departing Broken Hill we pass over the city and see the open cut mines of yesteryear. As we leave the Barrier Ranges north of Broken Hill we now pass over flatter sandhill country passing many large sheep and cattle properties such as Westwood Downs which is a 480,000 acre station.

Our track takes us parallel with the dog fence which is part of the longest vermin proof fence in the world stretching from Eucla on the Great Australian Bight to the north east Queensland coast. We track along this fence for some distance before landing at the Cameron Corner Store for a late lunch. Camerons Corner marks the boundary of three states, Qld, NSW and SA.

Upon leaving Cameron Corner we track across north eastern South Australia, over the Strzelecki Desert and the Moomba Oil and Gasfields, crossing the Cooper Creek and the Coongie Lakes to pick up the Birdsville Track near Goyder Lagoon. From here we track parallel to the Birdsville Track and the Diamantina River to our destination at Birdsville on the edge of the Simpson Desert. Our inbound track will take us over the Birdsville Racecourse and the Diamantina River.

Once we arrive in Birdsville you will be reunited with your camping gear and shown where you may set up your camp. You are now free to take in the numerous activities available in Birdsville for the next three days. Apart from the famous Birdsville Pub, make sure you visit the Blue Poles Gallery where you may view works by famous artist Wolfgang John of the local desert areas, and enjoy cappuccino and cakes/meals at the same time at the Big Red Café. A short distance away is the Birdsville Bakery, General Store, along with many itinerant food vending outlets and stalls along the main roads during this festival time. You may wish to call at the visitor centre and perhaps take a tour through the excellent display at the Working Museum. In addition there is a program of activities organized outside the pub at various times during the day. There is nightly live entertainment available at the pub along with the annual ball at the Community Hall. Usually Fred Brophys Boxing Tent is present, and most stall holders keep their stalls operating during the early evening…….......and that's all before you even consider attending the races! There are normally courtesy buses to take you to and from the racetrack.

On the Sunday we return to Stawell you will need to have all your camping gear packed up early ready for loading into our vehicle, and then we board the aircraft for our return flight.