Established 1882.

The iconic Birdsville Races, known as the ‘Melbourne Cup of Outback Racing’ is one not to be missed.  Taking place on the first weekend of September each year, it is the perfect excuse for a road trip through the heart of Australia. 

Upon crossing the QLD border to Birdsville, you will find thousands of friendly race-goers camping along the road between the race track and town centre, with the population swelling to around 9,000. You’ll find the famous Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville Airport spotted with hundreds of pilots camped under their planes, the Birdsville Bakery famous for their camel pies and the not to be missed Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe – the last in the world, all in close proximity to each other around the town.

The week is filled with fun activities for punters including fun runs, comedy nights, a cocktail party, race days on both Friday and Saturday, Fashions on the Field, Trackside Marquees and plenty of live entertainment, all helping to raise much needed funding for The Royal Flying Doctor Service. 

Follow up the races with a trip out to visit the impressive sand dune known as ‘Big Red’, where you can walk or 4WD up the dunes themselves.

An event not to be missed; tick it off your bucket list!

140th Anniversary: Friday September 2 and Saturday September 3, 2022.

#birdsvilleraces – where the dust never settles.

For more information visit www.birdsvilleraces.com

Friday races, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Vanessa Harris, face of Birdsville Races. Friday race day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Friday races, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day. Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Races Cup Day .2019.Pic of fashion on the course best dressed lady Nicole Walter from Hamilton Island© Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Birdsville Races 2019 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Vanessa Harris. Birdsville Races 2019 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Birdsville Races 2019 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Birdsville Races Pic of Brandon Hendrey having his bucks party at the the races Pic of volunteer Ann Livingstone from Gold Coast .2019 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019 .2019 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Birdsville Races Cup Day .2019.Pic of Poppy Crawford and Lucy Laidlaw © Photo by Salty Dingo 2019

Birdsville Cup – Sammie O’Brien

11/04/2022 : Sammie O’Brien Birdsville races ambassador with the official cup in the stables on the second day of the previously postponed Birdsville Races, in hot and dusty conditions on the outskirts of Birdsville in far western QLD. Lyndon Mechielsen/MaxAgency

11/04/2022 : Winner of the fashion on the fields , Katie Spencer from Canada on the second day of the previously postponed Birdsville Races, in hot and dusty conditions on the outskirts of Birdsville in far western QLD. Lyndon Mechielsen/MaxAgency

Birdsville Cup day, Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Jessica Cant. Birdsville Cup day. Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018

Birdsville Cup day. Birdsville Races 2018 © Photo by Salty Dingo 2018