birdsville races

Axel & Karen, sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your experiences at the Races and at the Caravan Park. You also didn't find me to have a coffee - I did invite you to do so. Now, a couple of things - you knew before you came there would be plenty of people here - being the Year of the Outback we knew from the phone calls the numbers would be greater - BUT, we didn't have more numbers this year than last year but we had many many more camper trailers than usual and they take up a lot of room. This is the first year we have put up the Full House sign and it was done so that those people already in the Park could have the benefit of the facilities. Now, as for the water tap that was padlocked (by me I might add) - where was it placed - right outside the laundry and people were filling their water containers and allowing water to run down the path onto the dirt - then the next lot of people were walking it into the showers, as there are other water taps placed around the Park it was the simplest thing to do, otherwise you would be whingeing about the mud in the toilets and showers. Also, on the Rules of the Camp handed to every vehicle you were asked that as you were guests in our front yard would you please ask for Ian or myself if there was something you needed to say. Very disappointed you didn't enjoy yourselves, but more disappointed that you didn't speak with me. For all those people who are going to free camp along the Diamantina - go right ahead it is very nice but the River is almost out of water (no rain for 14 months) but our Billabong is full. Happy camping everyone.

If anyone were to ask the local people in Birdsville how they feel about having to plan for the Races and the weeks either side and the amount of energy it takes to look after 5,500 people who leave home for a few days of mayhem, drinking, fighting meeting friends etc. - the locals would tell you that they would rather have two weeks extra in the holidays (school) and be able to service all their clients and to have time to spend talking with the visitors about the attractions in the area. People who come for the Races very rarely ever see the attractions of Birdsivlle and surrounds unfortunately, but we try to encourage them to come another time and see Birdsville as it really is, not at a time when a large percentage of people leave their manners at home and don't realise how their personalities change when tanked with sun, alcohol, bad windy dusty days. Ask anyone who lives here all year round and they will tell you they wished they didn't have to be here at Race time - that goes for every business. It's not worth the personal abuse you cop every year - this year was particularly bad, I know because I was on foot around the Park all day and most of the nights. I care about what happens in the Park and try to make it a good and safe place for all clients. Anyone notice the work that has been done to enable people to camp right along the edges of the Billabong or the 3,500 trees that have been planted?

Bob, we used this forum extensively prior to our trip,and did as much homework as possible including email and phone to birdsville over several months ,, our observation ,not complaint ,was that even though the c/van park [as Ruth states below]was full , the house fullsign up,,more and more PAYING customers ,to the point of total over crowding of services people had paid for,,, basics you pay a c/van park for,as in showers ,toilets , water,,,and as for the parks list of rules or being asked to leave,,one huge joke ,,dozens of generators 24hrs a day,yet one responsibe generator user was forced to do his power generation outside the park as his small gen [2 stroke ] was deemed to noisey..... in case you are wondering [Ruth] said couple left on sat am as they ended up being totaly overrun by more and more tents to the extent that when they went for a drive to use the generator ,came back and could not park their vehicle within 40odd ft of the trailer,, and Ruth as for having a coffee with you ,thanks for the invite, but we simply ran out of time,,was all spent waiting in line for a shower,toilet and wash basin,,,

Hi Peter

We are heading out to Birdsville in a couple of weeks could u please give more information regarding the FREE camping spots in Bridsville - we have most of our own facilities.
thanks in advance

Peter,yes we did pick a winner ,3 wins ,2 2nds and 4 3rds ....and we will go back to birdsville, Not during race week,,,we to had a great time,but the general overcrowding and blatant over charging of some [not all] services is enough to say Never again.

Thank you so much John.