Almost 2,500 travellers from across Australia will embark on the ultimate outback road trip over the coming week, as the Birdsville Races Roadies kicks off across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
All Roadies will trek along various recommended travel routes, connecting with each other along an epic pilgrimage to the historic 140th anniversary edition of the Birdsville Races, which is set to run this September 2 & 3.
An initiative of the Birdsville Race Club, the Birdsville Races Roadies is a special ‘club’ that gives members access to free flexible route guidance, connections with other Roadies, recommended overnight stays and activities with Roadies partners, camping and hospitality options, special Roadies team car stickers, plus access to exclusive merchandise and rewards.
Distinct from a car rally or guided tour, the Birdsville Races Roadies offers official routes, towns and dates as suggestions only – giving members the ability to select their favourite options and travel at their own pace. Roadies can choose their own adventure whilst connecting with friends and like-minded Roadies at select stops along the way.
“The Birdsville Races Roadies is designed to give members the tools to connect with each other along their trip; to build a sense of community and connection en route to the carnival; and to give travellers the ability to map out their journey flexibly, but with access to all the information and resources to get the absolute most out of their adventure,” said Birdsville Race Club Vice President, Gary Brook.
“The Birdsville Races is a bucket list experience for so many people, and the road trip to and from Birdsville is rich with spectacular sites, amazing towns and unique cultural experiences that only Australia’s Outback can offer. We are excited to be launching our biggest Birdsville Races Roadies yet so that more travellers heading out to the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’ can make their journey just as special as their Races experience,” Mr Brook added.
There is a suggested Roadies route from Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Melbourne. However, Roadies from other areas can join the route at any point or simply make their own way. People can still be a Roadie and follow their own path.
Key stops along the Queensland route include the picturesque township of Moogerah, the historic country town of Goondiwindi and the vibrant outback town of Cunnamulla which offers sandboarding and spectacular sunsets from campgrounds on the Warrego River.
New South Wales Roadies will journey northwest to Coonamble on the serene Castlereagh River, before crossing the border to Cunnamulla – the meetup destination for all Roadies from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Victorian Roadies will make their way to Cunnamulla via Hillston on the Lachlan River and the quaint outback town of Bourke.
Once Roadies from the Eastern states meet in Cunnamulla, they’ll continue northwest towards the heart of the Channel Country to the lively town of Windorah. In Windorah, Roadies will experience the famous annual ‘International Yabby Races’ before embarking on the final stretch to Birdsville.
South Australian Roadies will take a different route – starting their journey north to the edge of the Barossa, overnighting at the Murray Recreation & Caravan Park at Eden Valley, before heading directly north to Parachilna at the foot of the sprawling Flinders Ranges. After exploring the southern Flinders and filling up on the “Feral Mixed Grill’ at the famous Parachilna Prairie Hotel, Roadies will continue their journey past the famous mining towns of Copley and Leigh Creek, before journeying up the epic 475-kilometre Strzelecki Track to the famous Innamincka Hotel on the mighty Cooper Creek. From there, Roadies will visit the Burke & Wills Dig Tree just over the border into Queensland before heading north to Betoota, and then finally making that 160-kilometre trek to Birdsville.
Not only an epic outback adventure for travellers, the Birdsville Races Roadies is also expected to drive much-needed exposure, visitation and income to regional and outback towns that have taken hits on the back of droughts, lockdowns and now, rising fuel costs.
The Birdsville Races is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
For more information on the Birdsville Races Roadies, visit birdsvilleracesroadies.com.
To view some of the Roadies teams heading out to this year’s Races, visit: birdsvilleracesroadies.com/teams.
Tickets to the September 2022 Birdsville Races are on-sale at www.birdsvilleraces.com. Tickets start from $44.40. Limited additional tickets to the previously sold-out OBE Organic Pavilion have now been released, and limited tickets remain to the RFDS Birdsville Races Gala, to be held on 1 September 2022.
The Birdsville Races is also calling out on last-minute volunteers to help support the staging of this September’s historic 140th anniversary edition. All volunteers will automatically become members of the Birdsville Races Roadies.
Volunteer registrations are live now at birdsvilleraces.com/Volunteer, with all volunteers required to be 18 years-of-age or over.
Volunteers can nominate to complete their shift with friends and family, and in line with a particular skill set or area of interest.
As a thank you, volunteers will receive a complimentary two-day racing pass, granting them access to all of the exhilarating action at Birdsville’s iconic dirt racetrack – from punting and partying to Fashions on the Field. Additionally, they’ll receive an exclusive souvenir volunteer polo shirt, a limited-edition souvenir medallion, a stubby holder and a cap.