Question for experienced Birdsville race goers

Browny

As far as getting there via the chosen route...good luck...I think the roads are closed. However, there is more than one way to skin a cat so just keep checking the conditions as it gets closer & if they are still closed, head north & take a left about Charleville & then head west, you should be right. As far as camping goes, you probably won't get into the park but camping outside town is fine & not too noisy at all. The VAST majority of people are there for a good time & are pretty good. Just find a spot as you come into town & you'll be right.

Stef

If you havent booked for the c/park yet dont be suprised if its all booked out , bush sites out of town also become rather full on unless your in the "know" , best is to get in early , Mon- Tue of race week , see the pub and the whole town BEFORE the bedlam begins ,,,

There is only one rule - Camp anywhere you like the look of , or first piece of flat land the size of a car you come across !

Baring local rain at the time.
So so true, Hubby coming home from work early this week due to the rain last night near Innamincka. we have gotten use to the drought (cant believe we think like this) our work stops when it rains. A lot of stoppages this year.
Outback travel this year we need to have plan ABCDEF and so on..

Free/bush campsites are available on the banks of the Diamantina River in between the racecourse and the town. Not sure how flooded the river is now, how much land is dry/available. Best to give the tourist info centre a call - they are great people and will be only too happy to help.

Michelle

Browny, as the former owner for 10 years of the Birdsville Caravan Park let me give you this advice please.
1. There are two levels at the caravan park and from the road you cannot tell whether all the campsites are taken. There are 30 acres of camping to choose from. Always go in and ask if there is room. Or ring them and ask - (07) 46563214. The amenities block has been built to cope.
2. The race track is 4 klms from the centre of town and the area between is called the Common - just before you get to the racetrack you cross the Diamantina River - all the horses are stabled along the river because of shade and good water.
3. There is a shuttle bus which runs from the door of the caravan park to the races all day - picks up along the Common as well - for a gold coin donation.
4. Apart from the two actual race days all the action for the week is in the main part of town - with street vendors, merchandise, parties etc.
5. The races are now much more family friendly with lots of camper trailers where once it was young fellas in ute and swags - the young fellas have become considerably older and can't party quite as hard as they used to - so very rarely in my time did I have to go stop parties after 10:00 pm - if you start drinking tinnies at breakfast, drink all day sitting in the sun, most of them fall into swags fairly early.
6. If you decide to camp on the Common make sure you bring rakes and hoes to chip away the amazing prickle bushes which have grown up following the floods! although usually Council tries to grade the spots on the Common to alleviate this).
Have lots of fun - I'll see you there - and I'll be camping as well. Looking forward to actually going to the Races for a change.
By the way, Betoota Races (170 klms to the east) are on the weekend before Birdsville - don't miss these - they are a blast. Great camping - big party weekend and good racing. We go there, then Birdsville then up to Bedourie - this comprises the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival.