Hi HoSilver meets a
distant relative.Our Discovery Sport at
the Burke and Wills
Dig Tree.
DAY THREE: It’s time to see the outback sights
and follow the footsteps of explorers Burke
and Wills. Before reaching the famous Burke
and Wills Dig Tree, refresh your skin at the
Artesian Mud Baths in Eulo, hosted by the
lovely Ian and Nan Pike of Palm Grove Date
Farm and Winery. Continue on to the town
that produced the first Australian electric
streetlights, Thargomindah, before finally
arriving at the Dig Tree, which memorialises
the death of Burke and Wills. From here, cross
the border to South Australia and spend a
night in Innamincka.DAY FOUR: It’s time to hit the Birdsville
Track. You can choose to travel via Walker’s
Crossing, or you can head to Cordillo Downs
Road. You’ll pass Tiari Desert and Sturt Stony
Desert in the south and Strzelecki Desert and
Simpson Desert in the north. It’s easy to get
lost out here, with roads leading to Santos
gas- and oil-fields and private properties, so
follow the correct signs. In good conditions,
usually after the road has been graded, it can
take around six hours to drive the length of
the rutted track. However, with a lot of traffic
during the races, be prepared for larger-than-
usual ruts.
If you get time once you arrive in Birdsville,
rush to Big Red to climb to the top before
sunset. The road to Big Red is guttered and
covered in sharp rocks, so be careful. We
managed to get the Discovery Sport through
the Birdsville Track without an issue, but
burst a tyre on a rock about 100 metres from
Big Red.BIRDSVILLE ATTRACTIONS
WHEN it comes to things to do, Birdsville
packs a mean punch. Well, it does during race
week. During times outside of the two-day
event, you’d better have a real love of beer and
camel pie.
First up is the all-season Birdsville Hotel.
Built in 1884, this iconic pub is the town’s
signature attraction. It’s a place for travellersto recharge their beer bellies while they
refuel their 4x4s. If you’re not a beer drinker,
prepare to become one, as locals make
the amber liquid seem like a gift from the
gods. For most of the year the hospitable
community of the township will welcome
you, but during peak-season (the week of the
races) the hotel takes on a different tune, as
travellers become part of the furniture.
Embrace your inner bogan by slapping
down a tinny and throwing it to the curb –
literally. The tradition of stomping your cans to
the ground is one people take very seriously,
so don’t even think about binning that
aluminium treasure. And don’t stress if you’re
precious about littering, a clean-up crew come
through every night to collect the cans.
Big Red is another one to put on the to-do
list. Avid 4x4ers will tackle the 30-metre sand
dune, but, if you’re a novice off-roader, then
Little Red is a slightly easier ride. If you
don’t have the time to do either, just go and
have a look.
Another trip you can take is to Diamantina
River. Here you can cool down after a day
at the races and listen to other race-goers
make plans for the evening’s festivities. For
photographers, make sure you capture the
sunrise of the Birdsville billabong before
you leave.
You’ve heard of people eating crocodile,
grubs and emu, but have you ever considered
camel? Well, now’s your chance. The Birdsville
Bakery is famous for its camel pie, so close
your eyes and hope there aren’t any lumps,
or should that be humps? Any vegetarians
considering this trip should be prepared to
live on a diet of white bread and potatoes.
If it’s a unique outback experience you’re
after, follow the sound of the beating drum
to Fred Brophy’s boxing tent. This is the
only remaining travelling boxing tent around
and, whether you love or hate fighting, the
stage behind the curtain will play to your
curiosity, as professional boxers take on
drunken punters.116 http://www.4X4australia.com.auEXPLORE BIRDSVILLE RACES