Destination Profile - Birdsville, Queensland
Birdsville is situated between the Simpson Desert and Sturt's Stony Desert in the far south west of Queensland. It is 1586 kilometres west of Brisbane, 831 kilometres west of Charleville and 717 kilometres south of Mount Isa.
Birdsville, founded in 1873, was known as Diamantina Crossing in the early days. The Wangkangurru people have lived for many generations in the centre of the Simpson Desert. In the 1840s Europeans began to occupy inland areas of Australia and started exploring for good pastoral lands. This is when the Wangkangurru moved from the desert to places such as Birdsville. Elders and descendants from the Wangkangurru people still live in Birdsville today.
Birdsville in the days before Australian Federation (1901) was the centre for the stock routes to the rich Channel Country and was made a Customs collection point. A toll was payable on stock and supplies entering South Australia. At this time Birdsville was a thriving community with three excise officers, a population of 90 Europeans and 180 Indigenous people. The town boasted three stores, a bank, two blacksmiths, saddler, butcher shop, printing press, cordial factory and three hotels.
The Royal Hotel was acquired by the Australian Inland Mission in 1923 for a hospital and called Brisbane House. It was the site of the first telegraph transmission from Birdsville on 13 August 1925 and then the first pedal wireless in 1929. The hospital moved to the current site in 1937. Despite being ravaged by fire and having to be rebuilt, it stands today as the lifeline to the people of Birdsville.
The historic Birdsville Pub, constructed in 1884 from local materials and despite two fires and the tide of time, is one of the few original buildings remaining from that era.
Birdsville is located in the Temperate Zone with a generally arid climate. Rainfall totals on average 16mm each year occurring mostly in summer with September being the driest month of the year. Daytime temperatures in the region reach an extreme mid 40°C in the summer (November - February) down to typical desert nights of 4°C in the winter. Milder daytime temperatures reach (15-35°C) during the winter months.
Summer rains produce an abundance of native grasses whilst winter rainfall results in a variety of lush herbage and attractive displays of wildflowers particularly in the Simpson Desert to the west of Birdsville.
Birdsville today is known world wide as the venue for the famous Birdsville Races, a bush race meeting with a difference, held in September of each year. The first race meeting was held in 1882 as an event for hack and stock horses with a few local spectators. The meeting now includes a 12-race program with prize money in excess of $110 000 and is famous throughout the world. The Birdsville Cup is a much sought after Trophy.
Crowds of over 5000 racegoers celebrate the carnival each year. Races are held on the Friday and Saturday with dances in the evening at the local Shire Hall. Food and souvenir stalls are situated throughout the centre of town. Other entertainment includes Fred Brophy's Boxing troupe, Rodeo, Whipcracking and Sideshows. Great entertainment, class horseracing and premium hospitality makes for a fantastic week in the heart of Australia's outback.
This destination is part of the Cape York Outback Paradise Australian Adventure.
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