Birdsville Races

• Daily entry to the Birdsville Race Track 
• Entry to selected nightly entertainment

Day One – Wednesday, 4th September 2024

Departing our Burpengary depot and picking up at Roma Street in Brisbane, we will then make our way via the Warrego Highway and onto Dalby for a roadside afternoon tea. After a quick cuppa, we continue our travels through to Chinchilla and onto Miles and Mitchell, stopping for comfort breaks along the way.

Arriving in Roma for dinner, we enjoy the country hospitality at the Roma Gun Club, before reboarding the coach and settling in for the express overnight journey to Birdsville travelling the Diamantina Developmental Road via Quilpie, Windorah and Betoota.

* Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner included

Day Two – Thursday, 5th September 2024

The sun should be creeping over the horizon as we pull through Windorah, with a light breakfast enjoyed en route before our last stretch to Birdsville. As we roll into town our base camp staff will meet us with a hearty lunch, and we will then unload the luggage and get settled into the Kangaroo Bus Lines Tent City – our home for the next three nights.

The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Take the time to explore the far-flung settlement of Birdsville including the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre and famous Birdsville Hotel, browse the market stalls, grab a curry camel pie from the Birdsville Bakery, or enjoy the festivities of the Equine Fun Day in the main street.

In the afternoon, come with us to explore the Simpson Desert. After all, what could be a better way to end a day of travel than with a coldie at Big Red? This unique sandhill stands a massive 36.5m above sea level and provides an exciting challenge for visitors. BYO coldie and we’ll provide the Sunset Platter. *Please note: The Big Red tour is subject to road conditions and will only operate if the local authorities advise that it is accessible for coaches.

Later, a delicious two course dinner will be served at the campsite by KBL’s friendly catering staff.

* Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Happy Hour Nibbles & Dinner included

Day Three – Friday, 6th September 2024

Start the day with a hearty cooked breakfast served at the campsite. Travel with us out to the Diamantina Border where the Queensland and South Australian boarders meet. They are featured in the 1950s novel, ‘Land of Mirage’, by George Farwell and the Shell film documentary, ‘Back of Beyond’, which made the mailman, Tom Kruse, a famous outback personality.

We’ll visit the Birdsville Cemetery where the many old grave sites of our early pioneers are testament to the hardships they endured. Once again, lunch will be served back at camp before the first race of the day.

Today, Birdsville comes alive! Punters converge on this tiny outback town from all over the world for the legendary Birdsville Racing Carnival. Crowds of over 8,000 racegoers celebrate the race meet each year enjoying two days of exciting outback racing and nightly entertainment. Along with the Birdsville Cup, racegoers can enjoy the Fashions of the Field, Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, a variety of food vendors, a giant auction, and much more. Great entertainment, first class horse racing and premium hospitality makes for a fantastic long weekend in the heart of Australia’s Outback. *Please note: The Diamantina Border tour is subject to road conditions and will only operate if the local authorities advise that it is accessible for coaches.

Lunch will be served back at the campsite before the first race of the day at 1:15pm.

After the last race, catch the shuttle bus back into town and freshen up before enjoying a well-earned hot dinner served back at the campsite. This evening you may wish to head over to the Birdsville Community Hall and enjoy the show (dress codes apply) or take a stroll to the Birdsville hotel for the nightly live entertainment.

* Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day Four – Saturday, 7th September 2024

Hop on the shuttle bus and head out to the racetrack to join in the action of the Birdsville Annual Picnic Races including the running of the Birdsville Cup! Come dressed in your favourite theme or simply enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the outback race meet and cheer on your favourite horse. Other entertainment is available in town for those who enjoy a change.

After the last race, freshen up back at the camp before enjoying a tasty dinner served at the campsite.

Once again there are many evening entertainment options, however a visit to Fred Brophy’s Boxing Tent is something not to be missed!

* Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day Five – Sunday, 8th September 2024

Rise early and enjoy a quick breakfast before breaking camp and departing Birdsville by 8:00am. Thundering down the Diamantina Developmental Road, we will pass through Betoota before stopping in Windorah for a tasty burger lunch.

Continuing on in the afternoon, we travel via Quilpie to arrive in Charleville in the early evening for dinner at the local RSL. After dinner, we reboard the coach and get comfortable for our overnight express transfer home via Morven, Mitchell, Roma, Miles, Dalby, Toowoomba and Ipswich, with comfort stops along the way.

* Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day Six – Monday, 9th September 2024

After five days adventuring in the Queensland outback, we arrive back in Brisbane in time for breakfast.

* Breakfast at passengers’ own expense

Sleeping Equipment:

Kangaroo Bus Lines provides safari style tent accommodation with lighting and a single stretcher bed with mattress. All you need to supply is a sleeping bag and pillow. 

• Warm sleeping bag and pillow;

Other Items to bring:

• Folding chair
• Small torch
• Wide brim hat
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Camera & batteries
• Casual clothes
• Comfortable footwear
• Personal toiletries
• Warm jacket
• Tea towels x 2
• Own crockery & cutlery

Sleeping Equipment Suggestions:

Kangaroo Bus Lines provides safari style tent accommodation and you will supply your own:

• Single camp stretcher or air mattress; and
• Warm sleeping bag and bedding;

Other Items to bring:

• Folding chair
• Small torch
• Wide brim hat
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Camera & batteries
• Casual clothes
• Comfortable footwear
• Personal toiletries
• Warm jacket
• Tea towels x 2
• Own crockery & cutlery

Conditions of Booking
$100 per person deposit payable with 14 days, with balance and final payment due 4 weeks prior to departure.

Customer Cancellation
1 month before tour: full refund
Within 21 days of tour: a partial refund
Within 14 days of tour: no refund 

COVID Outbreak Cancellation
1 month before tour: full refund
Within 21 days of tour: full refund
Within 7 days of tour: a partial refund 

Sleeping Equipment Suggestions
Kangaroo Bus Lines provides safari style tent accommodation and you will supply your own:
– Single camp stretcher or air mattress; and
– Warm sleeping bag & bedding;

Travel Insurance
Kangaroo Bus Lines strongly recommends that you purchase the appropriate Travel Insurance to cover against illness or accident, cancellation, loss of luggage, etc.

Health & Fitness
The tour includes walks ranging from short to long distances up to 1.5 kilometres. These walks are often over uneven ground and may include steps. For safety and enjoyment, passengers should be in good physical condition to participate in all tours.

Tour Conditions
Kangaroo Bus Lines reserve the right to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, reservations features and /or means of conveyance without notice. Itinerary may change due to inclement weather, road conditions or other factors over which Kangaroo Bus Lines has no control. Kangaroo Bus Lines reserve the right to cancel the tour should it not reach minimum numbers and clients will be notified well prior to departure should this occur. Kangaroo Bus Lines will not accept responsibility for injury, illness or misadventure, loss of goods or possessions or cancellations.
Kangaroo Bus Lines is covered by Third Party Insurance.