APARTMENTS BIRDSVILLE

The Birdsville Hotel is as remote as a place gets, standing since 1884 on the edge of the last untamed frontier, the Simpson Desert. The pubs name is forged into Australian folklore and everyday travellers make their pilgrimage to one of Australia's most treasured icons. Whether you have driven for days or your aircraft has just landed on the airstrip next to the pub, you'll get the same warm outback welcome. Relax and soak up the true blue atmosphere, or sit up at the bar to hear a few yarns from old drovers, ringers and friendly locals. In the first week of September the population swells from 100 to over 5,000 for the Birdsville Races. This legendary race has been run on a sandy track since 1882 and now boasts professionally trained racehorses and prize money of over AUD100,000.00. For years, yarns have been spun at the Birdsville Pub, lubricated with icy cold beers, and here maps have been scratched into the red desert soil to guide travellers to special spots. This is truly an authentic place where the spirit of Australian mateship is definitely alive and kicking.

Witness the ghost town of Betoota come to life with holiday goers and Outback folk to celebrate the region?s signature event ? The Betoota Races ? and kicking off the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. Firstly, don your dancing shoes on Friday night for an outback bush dance followed by backing a winner in one of the six horse race meets the next day. Don?t forget there?s also Fashions on the Field, a mystery auction and lucky gate prizes. You?ve gotta be in it to win it, right? Than mingle with the down to earth country characters living in isolated Betoota, which sits on a vast gibber plain surrounded by cattle stations east of Birdsville and west of Windorah. Once famous as a Cobb and Co change station, now a secluded lonely ghost town. Year round folk are also welcome to camp by the riverbank of Brown?s Creek near the deserted Betoota Hotel and stop at Deon?s Lookout - a memorial with peaceful views....

Bring the whole family to the Bronco Branding Yards in Birdsville to watch skilled bushmen and women demonstrate their craft. Get involved in the horsemanship skills on Saturday with barrel, flag and herding races, or simply kick back ringside and enjoy the dusty action. Horsepower is than replaced by dirt bikes and quads on the Sunday, and the same events reenacted on wheels. You won?t starve with all the onsite catering you?d expect, plus loads of live music and evening entertainment. Than, pitch a tent with free camping on offer and repeat it all over the next weekend at the Bedourie Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana just up the road....

The annual Betoota Gymkhana brings Australia's smallest town alive. Watch bushmen and women compete in exercises of true horsemanship and skilful dirt bike riding. Saturday you can expect barrel racing, flagging plus much more at the Horse Gymkhana followed by Motorbike Enduro later in the afternoon. Remember, plan ahead and camp overnight to see the motorbikes kick back into action on Sunday. You won?t go hungry with onsite catering (outback style) and plenty of cold ale at the bar, available Friday evening through Sunday afternoon....

The Simpson Desert Racing Carnival incorporates the Betoota Races, Birdsville Races and Betoota Races for the ultimate outback racing experience. Held over three consecutive weekends, bar, food, camping and entertainment available!...

The Birdsville Caravan Park is the perfect place to relax on your journey and the ideal base for trips to the Simpson Desert National Park, Big Red Sand Dune or Poepple Corner. Our park overlooks Birdsville Billabong with lovely water views on spacious camping grounds. The Birdsville Caravan Park has nine fully serviced units with fridges and televisions plus three deluxe fully self contained cabins. All accommodation is air conditioned. Spoil yourself and stay in the lap of luxury in the desert country. They have 54 powered sites and 30 acres of camp sites along the banks of the billabong. Your hosts will make you welcome and can provide information on things to see and do during your stay. Spoil yourself and stay in the lap of luxury in the desert country along the banks of the billabong where over 100 species of birds have been identified....

Have your camera ready when you arrive at Deon's Lookout. You will love the spectacular and long-ranging views. With a rest area, public toilets and picnic table, this is a great place to break your journey. It is located east of Betoota and is well sign posted at the Shire boundary....

Except for surrounding cattle stations, Betoota stands alone on a vast gibber plain. The Outback town is located 170 kilometres east of Birdsville and 227 kilometres west of Windorah. Betoota started as a Cobb and Co changing station and border town with its main income being derived from tolls and taxes. This source of revenue dried up on the establishment of the Federation. Twice a year this ghost town comes alive with activity as locals and visitors alike arrive by plane, coach and motor vehicle to enjoy local events. On the first weekend after Easter it's a fun-packed weekend at the Gymkhana. The weekend before the Birdsville races, Betoota hosts a weekend of racing as part of the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival. This is where you'll meet 'down to earth' Australians with a wry sense of humour! Brown's Creek is a popular local camping area near the now deserted Betoota Hotel. Be sure to visit Deon's Lookout - a memorial to one of this country's sons with peaceful views of the land he loved....