Australian_Traveller-May.June.July_2019

AT PROMOTION| Birdsville

IF YOU’VE HEARD OF THE ISOLATED, iconic,

historic outback township of Birdsville in

Queensland’s remote Diamantina region, then

you’ve probably heard of the famous Birdsville

Races, the vast Simpson Desert and its Big Red

Sand Dune, and the circa 1884 Birdsville Hotel

• where you simply must drop in for a beer.
  But what else can you expect from this bucket-
  list outback destination? For starters, you
  can expect outstanding country hospitality,
  year-round, from some of the warmest
  and friendliest locals you could ever hope
  to meet. You can expect authentic outback
  �lavours; in fact, once you’ve sampled a camel
  pie from the Birdsville Bakery, you’ll have a
  new appreciation for what authentic outback
  �lavour really is. In this case, it’s got a lamb-like
  texture with a hint of curry and a convenient C
  on the crust. But if you need a fall-back that’s
  just as authentic, try the kangaroo and claret
  pie or the berri quandong tart.
  Expect awe-inspiring landscapes
  everywhere you turn. But don’t just go and
  gape at the 40-metre-high dunes of Big Red.
  Grab the kids, some sand boards and tackle
  these record-breaking slopes for some
  adrenaline-fuelled family fun instead. Need to
  wash off the dust afterwards? A family paddle
  in the beautiful Birdsville Billabong, followed
  by a spot of �ishing, is just the ticket.

Expectthedeserttocomealivewith

colours, when gorgeous wild�lowers carpet

the terrain in a sublime mixture of yellows,

purples and greens as far as the eye can

see. Expect free camping, and a rolled-out

welcome mat for RVs, caravans, four-

wheel-drives, motorbikes and all manner of

visiting vehicles. Birdsville is an absolutely

ideal stepping off point for exploring the

mighty Simpson Desert, for venturing out

to Lake Eyre (maybe even to see it �illed

with water?), for standing simultaneously

in NSW, Queensland and South Australia

where the borders meet at Cameron Corner,

orforcarryingonuptoAliceSpringsand

the wonders further north.

Expect world-famous events: when the

Birdsville Races are in town, so is everyone

else. Visitors �lock from miles around every

September to witness this two-day event

dubbed the Melbourne Cup of the Outback.

But above all, expect the unexpected.

So if you haven’t been to Birdsville yet, ask

yourself this question: What on Earth are you

waiting for?

For more information, visit

thediamantina.com.au

A famous notch on the outback belt of Aussie travellers,

a visit to Birdsville is an absolute must. But there’s

more going on there than you think.

From top left: The famous

Birdsville Races – but Birdsville is no

one-horse town. There are Simpson Desert

dunes to explore, hospitable hotels, a

welcoming billabong and much more

Ever been to

Birdsville?