Jump on board with Kangaroo Bus Lines this September when we embark on our twenty-fourth annual odyssey to the iconic Birdsville Races.
Celebrating its 142nd year, the legendary race meet staged in the spectacular Simpson Desert of Outback Queensland maintains its pilgrimage bucket list status, and Kangaroo Bus Lines can take you there!
HIT THE ROAD
American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” sums up the road trip out and back through Queensland’s wild west to the Birdsville Races.
Over 1,500km and 24 hours each way, the Brisbane to Birdsville road trip is an unforgettable adventure through Australia’s rugged landscape. From the comfort of our luxury seat-belted touring coaches, leave the hustle and bustle of the big smoke behind and travel through charming outback towns towards the open roads of the Sunshine State’s vast, expansive plains.
During the journey, our seasoned Outback Queensland Coach Captains will be your trusted tour guides, sharing entertaining and insightful commentary on landmarks and scheduled rest stop locations including Dalby, the gateway to the western downs; Roma where country meets the outback; Windorah located in the heart of the Channel Country bioregion; and Charleville the largest town in Queensland’s southwest.
“I love going to Birdsville first and foremost, as I absolutely adore the outback,” says KBL Coach Captain, Russell, who has chaperoned guests to four Birdsville Races. “I love taking our customers there to see their faces when they see just how sparse the area is.”
"Russell’s love of the outback was evident, and it really enhanced our enjoyment of our time in Birdsville."
SLEEP
For the first time this year, KBL guests will sleep under Outback Queensland’s sweeping starry night skies within Birdsville Races’ humming Tent City.
A popular accommodation choice for Birdsville Races revellers, Tent City is the perfect place to recharge while chewing the fat and making new friends with other travellers.
Located near the heart of town on the banks of the Diamantina River, experience riverside camping in a spacious, pre-pitched 3x3m tent featuring a camp stretcher and mattress for each occupant, awning, big screen windows and lantern.
“KBL have partnered with Rent a Tent over the years for the Big Red Bash and Birdsville Races events,” says KBL Sales, Services & Logistics Manager, John Carpenter. “They are a very professional organisation who offer a fantastic service, from their guest meet- and-greet to the allocation of tent accommodation upon arrival.”
“The tents, stretchers and mattresses were first class.”
Tourism and Events Queensland/Reichlyn Aguilar
EAT
Be our guest at KBL’s private dining marquee where our professional and friendly catering team prepare and serve delicious fresh meals daily.
A mouthwatering menu of hot and continental brekky tucker will greet you each morning putting you in good stead for the day’s activities.
Recharge throughout the day on a variety of fresh, ample lunches and graze on a selection of baked treats, fruit, and snacks for morning and afternoon tea.
Our gourmet dinner, dessert and supper menus will see you hitting the sack full, satisfied, and ready for the next day’s adventures!
“I can’t comment highly enough on the wonderful meals. I was expecting stews et cetera to be the order of the day, but we had lunches with lots of beautifully fresh salad, vegetables, rolls and meat, and the dinners were better than at home!”
EXPLORE
Your Birdsville Races experience isn’t only limited to the sights and sounds of the western frontier town, with our six-day, all-inclusive tour also including optional excursions to surrounding attractions (at no additional cost).
On day two, our drivers will escort guests on a 35-kilometre drive through the Munga-Thirri National Park (also known as the Simpson Desert) to the base of the looming Big Red Sand Dune. Standing a staggering 40 metres in height, the crest of Big Red is the perfect vantage point to take in the kaleidoscope of colours of an Outback Queensland sunset while wetting your whistle with a BYO coldie and enjoying a sunset platter care of KBL.
Travel with us on day three of the tour to the arid Diamantina Border where the only thing separating you from South Australia is a rustic wire fence and cattle grid. Following photo opportunities beside the two state signs, travel to the historic Birdsville Cemetery to explore the graves of early pioneers resting peacefully amongst the dunes, before heading back to Birdsville for the first race of the day when Birdsville truly comes alive!
Tourism and Events Queensland
GIDDY UP!
Join thousands of racegoers at the two-day legendary Birdsville Racing Carnival dubbed the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’.
Our shuttle service provides convenient transport to and from the most remote thoroughbred races in the world. Featuring a 13-race program with more than $300,000 prize money up for grabs, cheer on the field of national and international entrants vying for the prized Birdsville Cup.
Your trackside experience is much more than the spectacle of hooves thundering down a dirt track, however. Immerse yourself in three nights of live entertainment and a wide variety of other events including the RFDS Cocktail Party, RFDS Fun Run, Fashions on the Field, Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, a variety of food vendors, a giant auction and much more!
“The races are full of colourful people and characters, and it is this that makes Birdsville such an iconic event.”
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Kangaroo Bus Lines’ 14-year-long partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) is central to our Birdsville Races tours. A donation drive initiated at the 2012 event is now a treasured annual tradition, with gold coin donations collected from punters for shuttle services between Birdsville and the local racetrack a valuable fundraiser. To date, KBL have proudly raised over $180,000 of much needed funds for RFDS’ primary health care and aeromedical services.
“It’s important to us to continue to raise funds so The Royal Flying Doctors can continue to deliver their vital work,” says Kangaroo Bus Lines CEO, Darren Webster.
HOMEWARD BOUND
On day five, rise early for a quick but satisfying brekky before breaking camp for the return journey.
Revisit Windorah for a delicious burger lunch and Charleville in the early evening for dinner at the Charleville RSL Memorial Club, before settling in for the overnight express transfer home via Morven, Mitchell, Roma, Miles, Dalby, Toowoomba, and Brisbane CBD, with comfort stops along the way.
Being selected as a coach captain for the six-day Birdsville Races tour is a rite of passage for Kangaroo Bus Lines drivers, and Maggie (who was initiated last year) can’t wait for the chance to do it all over again.
“The Birdsville Races was on my bucket list, but unlike many bucket list moments, I didn’t come home and say, ‘Well, I can cross that one off’,” she says. “I wanted to take everyone I knew or didn’t know out there again with me.
“I have been lucky to have had chance meetings with some of our guests from last year’s trip (and) all of them talked about it being one of the best Australian outback trips they have ever done.
“All I can say is that it is something that you must experience. It’s a rough trip but trust me, you wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“I have been telling everyone about the trip and how great it was!”
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