Birdsville Races

• Souvenir Birdsville Medallion
• Daily Entry to the Birdsville Race Track 
• Entry to selected nightly entertainment

Day One – Wednesday 2nd September

Departing our Burpengary depot and picking up at Roma St in Brisbane, we will then make our way via the Warrego Highway and onto Dalby for a road-side 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. We arrive in Roma for dinner and enjoy the country hospitality at the Roma Gun Club before re-boarding the coach and settling in for the express overnight journey to Birdsville travelling the Diamantina Development Road via Quilpie, Windorah and Betoota.

* Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner included

Day Two – Thursday 3rd September

The sun should be creeping over the horizon as we pull through Windorah, a light breakfast will be enjoyed en-route before our last stretch to Birdsville. Our base camp staff will meet us as we roll into town with a hearty lunch.  After lunch we 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 Visitors 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. Take in the afternoon sun and sip on a cold bevvie whilst nibbles are served back at the campsite during the KBL Happy Hour. 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 4th September

We start the day with a hearty cooked breakfast served at the campsite. For those who are interested, it’s time to explore the Simpson Desert with a visit to the outskirts of Big Red. Situated 35km west of Birdsville, this unique sandhill stands a massive 36.5m above sea level and provides an exciting challenge for visitors. Upon returning to Birdsville, we call at the Birdsville Cemetery which houses many old grave sites of our early pioneers and is testament to the hardships they endured. *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. This afternoon 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 vendords, a giant auction and much more. Great entertainment, first class horse racing and premium hospitality makes for a fantastic week in the heart of Australia’s Outback. 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 Shire 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 5th September

After breakfast, we travel out to the Diamantina Border where the Queensland and South Australian boarders meet. The area 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. *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. Once again, lunch will be served back at camp before the first race of the day. Jump on the shuttle bus and head out to the racetrack and 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 this evening there are many options for the evening entertainment but a visit to Fred Brophy’s Boxing Tent is something not be missed.

* Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day Five – Sunday 6th September

This morning we rise early and enjoy a quick breakfast before breaking camp and departing Birdsville by 8:00am. We thunder down the Diamantina Development Road passing through Betoota before stopping in Windorah for a tasty burger lunch. Continuing on in the afternoon, we travel via Quilpie and arrive in Charleville in the early evening for dinner at the local RSL. After dinner, we re-board 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 7th September 

This morning we’ll be arriving back in Brisbane in time for breakfast after five days adventuring in the Queensland outback!

* Breakfast at passengers’ own expense

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;

Other Items to bring:

• Fold Up 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
All bookings must be followed by a 50% deposit within 14 days. The balance and final payment must be received 4 weeks prior to departure.

Cancellation
1 month before tour: full refund
Within 21 days of tour: a partial refund
Within 14 days of tour: no 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 you to purchase the appropriate Travel Insurance to cover against illness or accident, cancellation, loss of luggage, etc.

Health & Fitness
Tour include 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.