Itâs an icon amongst Australian Outback tracks. Maree marks the end of the track. - nouna piece of cloth or bunting, often attached to a staff, with distinctive colours, patterns, or symbolic devices, design, used as a national, state or organizations symbol, as a signal, etc. It takes about an hour going through bush to get to where we are camped. Birdsville ⦠And that's not even to mention the Birdsville Races usually held every September, "Birdsville is a very special place," said Jenna Brook. From Brisbane: Probably the most accessible route to Birdsville, the road is sealed for the first 1,200kms, then it all gets gnarly! Enjoy a ‘home-cooked’ meal in the dining room after relaxing in the warm artesian bush pool. Both towns offer major facilities for travellers. The ‘outside track’ is only slightly longer and more reliable. Over the years, the sandstone pub has survived floods, fires and cyclones. Cooper Creek campsite has a toilet and drinking water and allows you to camp within a 1km radius of the toilet. Road Conditions: Stony track with large pebbles (gibbers) and dry sand. The other options are the French Line across the Simpson which is more challenging but again busy these days, particularly this time of year which is the best to travel. ", REX flies twice a week from Brisbane to Birdsville, on Mondays and Thursdays. Andamooka Opal fields. This is a remote unsealed track but nowadays is well graded and busy with travellers, you can do the Birdsville track in a 2WD vehicle (with good tyres and clearance) these days. There are other locations around Cooper Creek that allow camping. Today the track sees livestock trucks and a steady stream of tourists keen to see a precious piece of the Australian outback. The Coolibah Camp at Dulkianna Station provides travellers with a shower, toilet and camp kitchen. Birdsville is a small town and locality in the Shire of Diamantina, Queensland, Australia. Birdsville Track is one of the most iconic dirt roads in Australia. It's one of the most remote towns in the world – yet travellers to Birdsville are discovering there's a whole new shine to the Queensland outback icon. Itâs one of the Australiaâs best 4WD tracks. There's a number of different ways to drive to Birdsville, depending on your location and how much adventure you'd like. If youâre looking for firewood then you wonât be in luck; these trees have abnormally hard wood, so hard it can damage an axe and is impossible to burn. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. Treat yourself to a warm apple pie and refreshing cider, explore the spectacular National Parks and get a selfie with one of Australiaâs cricket legends, the journey from Sydney to Birdsville will take you around five days and four nights. You feel every bump. If you are thinking about when to go to Birdsville then, come visit Birdsville at it's best time where you can make a memorable experience without having to worry about small issues. Players have to navigate sandhills, native vegetation, shrubs and oiled sand in place of the putting greens. Give our friendly and knowledgeable team at The Chart & Map Shop a call on (08) 9335 8665 or you can get in touch with us online. "They breed them pretty tough out here, and it gives you a new appreciation of what the early European explorers went through. Perfect place to watch the sunset and to watch eager 4WD ers take the challenge to drive up the dune from the Western side (more difficult side) Read more. You can drive the Birdsville Track in a 2WD car, except after rain or flood. It's possible to drive in a 2WD but, with many stretches of road unsealed, a 4WD is preferable. On the Birdsville Track (one of Queenslands best 4WD tracks) youâll need to ⦠This is a serious 4WD Hire expedition â donât even think of renting a 2WD Campervan for this trip⦠Birdsville to Brisbane 1,580kms. Since 1884 the hotel has been serving cold drinks and food to parched travellers. "It would be a great way to encourage people to experience a little bit more of Birdsville and stay a bit longer," she said. In 1860 the men made the trek from Melbourne to chart a course to the Gulf of Carpentaria. "Our focus will still be on making the experience satisfying for people who make the long trek out to Birdsville and I'm looking forward to talking to people and hearing about where they've come from and where they're going.". AUS 485 - Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent, Red Bandana Jolly Roger Pirate Flag 5' x 3', Diamantina Shire Council Road Conditions Repor, Birdsville Track Outback Travellers Guide, Dog Friendly Camping WA – 7 Must Visit Campsites That Allow Dogs, Beach Camping Near Perth - 5 Great Waterfront Campsites, 6 Easy 4WD Tracks Close to Perth You Should Try, Free Camping SA - Where to Camp for Free in South Australia, Perth Fishing Spots - 10 of the Best Places to Fish in the Metro Area, Free & Low Cost Camping WA - Discover Western Australia's Best Campgrounds, The Great Central Road: Drive from Laverton to Uluru (with a Caravan), World Map Executive Small (Revised) by Maps International (2012), Fishtraps & Floods, Apples & Spuds by Richard Piggott (2005), New York: City Map by Rand McNally (2008), AA Britain Road Map (6th Edition) by AA Publishing (2017), Gold on the Murchison by Phil Heydon (1986), Toodyay Homesteads by Rica Erickson & Robyn Taylor (2006). You can camp right on the stunning Birdsville Billabong inside the caravan park or there are free camps outside town over the bridge that crosses the Diamantina River. The Birdsville Hotel has comfortable motel-style rooms. At the moment, I am 20ks off the blacktop halfway between Eromanga and Windorah. Phone (07) 4656 3244. Suitable For: A 4WD is recommended for driving the Birdsville Track, but 2WD with good clearance can be suitable. Before you go, ring the Birdsville ⦠The Birdsville Roadhouse has just been taken over by the Brooks' daughter Jenna, who has expanded the offering well beyond fuel, road repairs, souvenirs and groceries. Points of interest include Dripie Creek, Cordillo Downs Historic Woolshed, and Caldelga Ruins. Birdsville, between the sands of the Simpson Desert and the gibber plains of Sturt's Stony Desert is the starting point of the famous Birdsville Track, which stretches to the south with the Simpson Desert to the west. Mainly French line but went up & down to mix it up. The first 10k coming out of Birdsville was very corrugated. Although youâll need a 4WD to drive up it (I do believe that some skilled 2WD drivers have topped the dune from the Birdsville side), you can drive out to it and walk up it, too. STAY. said Mr Weatherall. Not to be outdone by the Birdsville or Mungerannie Hotels, the heritage-listed Marree Hotel offers food and drinks and a look at the area’s history with its museums that showcase the Birdsville Mailman and explorer John McDouall Stuart, the 1964 Lake Eyre world record run and photos of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Climb up on foot or by 4WD to boogie board down or take in the sunset from the tallest dune in the park. The Page Family Grave is a sobering reminder to respect the environment. The track and surrounding roads might not close but may be open only to 4WD’s not towing. Looking for more information? You can find current road conditions and travel information from the following sites: Diamantina Shire Council Road Conditions Report. Birdsville is located on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, Sturt's Stony Desert to the south and Channel Country to the north. Surprisingly, this rugged country is home to some Australiaâs richest cattle country. Before you head off be sure to pick up a copy of the Birdsville Track Outback Travellers Guide with more information, GPS coordinates and maps including track hazards. 2 Wheels on the Birdsville track by: Anonymous Hey, I rode an old ex-army dispatch rider's bike from Alice Springs to Port Augusta on what is now called the "Oodnadatta Track" back in 1959. Others just think it’s a good way to cool off. Tippipila Bush Camp has a toilet and basin. There's further movement at the station too. Washouts, bulldust holes and the rough road surface can damage the undercarriage of any car with low road clearance. A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Australia. Rome2rio makes travelling from Geelong to Birdsville easy. privacy policy. Because of extreme summer heat, the National Park closes between December and March. Rome2rio makes travelling from Townsville to Birdsville easy. Punters have been betting on horse races since 1882. Route: Windorah via Birdsville ⦠Spoil yourself after a few days of meals cooked in the bush campsite. Drive past the airstrip and old Bronco branding yards at Pandie Pandie Station, and put a foot in each state at the Border Fences before arriving back in Birdsville. Make sure all items in your caravan are well secured and carry two spare tyres because the trip can be rough and bumpy. Conditions change depending on weather and the time since it was last graded. It would be doable in a medium to large 2wd, but I wouldn't recommend it for a Jazz. "We've always really liked the feel of the historic old watering hole so when the opportunity came about to buy the business, we didn't need to think much about it," said Ellis, who's updated the rooms with new bedding and soft furnishings, replaced doors and installed a coffee machine. so prepared, distinguished by length and form from a magazine, tract, etc. They hold the Big Red Bash in July at the base of the Big Red dune. You've got the four-wheel-drive and you've got the spirit of adventure; let that lead you on the outback trip of a lifetime through southern Queensland to some of ⦠Considering its desert location, the Birdsville Track has the Mungerannie wetlands, a permanent wetland fed by an artesian bore which attracts rich birdlife and travelling photographers. Birdsville Races. Around 6,000 people camp and park their vehicles to create an impressive desert amphitheatre formation best viewed from the air. The Birdsville track starts in Marree (650 km north of Adelaide) and finishes in Birdsville in south west Queensland. For those planning to do more than one track in the area, there’s the Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks map (and if you're going to be doing the Strzelecki track make sure to read our guide here). The bike was a BSA 250cc, four-stroke. "There's a lot to see and do in Birdsville that maybe people don't realise," said long-time resident Nell Brook, who married fourth-generation local David Brook. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. A simple, stone, single-storey building it is now listed by the National Trust. Location: Birdsville to Maree (Maree is in the north-east of South Australia and Birdsville, is in the south-west of Queensland). "We have such beautiful natural terrain and landscapes, our visitors can have amazing experiences. Another helpful hint is to grab a copy of the Birdsville Track Outback Travellers Guide (RRP $22) which has all the information you need to make your way from one end to the other. "I'd also love to bring bird-watching experts here to take groups out into the desert and also cater for workshops for groups of artists and photographers.". Visitors converge on this tiny unique outback town from all parts of Australia and the World on the first Saturday in September for the Annual Birdsville ⦠Length of track: 517 km from Marree to Birdsville Location: North-east of South Australia into south-west Queensland Distances from major cities: Marree at the southern end of the road is 650 km north of Adelaide, Birdsville marks the northern end, the town is 1585 km west of Brisbane, or 1167 km north of Adelaide. Birdsville's second pub, the Birdsville Hotel, was built in 1884-5. Pelican Point offers views of the billabong and birdlife. Suitable For: A 4WD is recommended for driving the Birdsville Track, but 2WD with good clearance can be suitable. Sunset over the Birdsville Track, just south of Tippipila Creek: Day 5 continued south along the Birdsville Track, stopping at Mungerannie, the campground at Cooper Creek, and an artesian hot spring at Clayton Station. One may say without question Birdsville's busiest week of the year occurs each September. But the Birdsville Track is graded regularly and is generally easy to ⦠Barren and isolated, drivers need plenty of water and fuel as they make their way from Maree all the way to Birdsvillle. You can either take 226kms of the famous Birdsville Track or the more direct Cordillo Downs road. The Birdsville Hotel has comfortable motel-style rooms. Because the track is remote, it’s safest to take all the food and water you will need while travelling. There are hotels, motels, caravan parks with cabins and bush campsites to choose from. The town of Birdsville, a last pit stop before the expansive Simpson Desert, is more than 1500km from Brisbane to the east, and more than 1800km from Adelaide in the south. The weather of Birdsville is favorable along with the best of activities during this particular time in Birdsville. The Birdsville Track - A Guide to Driving One of Australia’s Most Iconic Routes. Brisbane to Nindigully, 501km (via State Route 85) For such a far-flung, sparsely populated location, there’s no shortage of things to see around Birdsville. It's possible to drive in a 2WD but, with many stretches of road unsealed, a 4WD is preferable. Let your tyres down & take water. Usually, they will request that you fax the script to them on (07) 4654 3178 and this can be done at the Birdsville Post Office opposite the Hotel. Birdsville is located on land traditionally owned by the Wongkanguru people, in the Channel Country of Central West Queensland, Australia. The Birdsville Track is an old stock route that dates back to the 1860s. Used 95 litres from Birdsville to Poeple's, across the French line to Mt Dare. Cool off with a swim, canoe or kayak. Dont come down here in a bloody 2WD. Arltunga Historical Reserve. That Big Red, for instance, is great for climbing, as well as being the site of the annual bash where musicians come in for a massive outdoor concert. The famous Birdsville Hotel has motel accommodation, a caravan park with units, cabins and an area for tents and caravans. There is a more direct from Brisbane to Birdsville, alternative route suitable for 2WD vehicles, travelling 1581km via Roma and Windorah.) See rex.com.au. If you’re in the area in early September, be sure to check out the famous Birdsville Races. - nouna number of sheets of paper, parchment, etc. Camping Availability: Birdsville Caravan Park, Clayton Station, Maree Caravan and Campers Park, bush camps. The star of the show is always, of course, the Birdsville Hotel, the 1884 honey coloured sandstone pub on the edge of the Simpson Desert 1600 kilometres west of Brisbane and 1200 kilometres north of Adelaide. I drive a 2wd transit van. Many people report successfully taking their caravan or camper trailer on the Birdsville Track. There are no other fuel stops on the track. Being out playing in the outback like that makes it very exciting.". Clayton Station has its own outdoor spa bath fed by artesian waters, that some suggest have therapeutic qualities. Map directions to Birdsville To Cadelga Ruins 4wd Tr Birdsville, QLD 4482. Itâs a little under 400km between Windorah and Birdsville, and while much of the road is unsealed, itâs a beautiful drive, achievable in a single day. Birdsville does not have a pharmacy. From Sydney to Birdsville Approximately 26 hours driving time or leisurely sightseeing over 5 days. Summary: Day 3 brought me to Birdsville! The famed pub has a new owner and has had a make-over. Located 35km from Birdsville, the 40 metre high Big Red Sand Dune is another bucket-list item for many outback travellers. Phone 13 17 13. Keep in mind that it’s an unsealed road and that conditions vary during the year.