Birdsville, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Aug 25th, 2003
Birdsville has been called Australia's most isolated outback town - and for good reason. It stands between the sandy Simpson Desert and the desolate plains of Sturt's Stony Desert. Out here everything is caked with a layer of dust, and aside from a pub and a store, there's not much else.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, because one day a year Birdsville lights up and its 120 local residents are joined by almost 6000 visitors for one long weekend of horse racing. This Australian tradition was started in 1882 and has been held on the first Saturday in September ever since. People come from all over to enjoy the races and drink lots and lots of beer - up to 80,000 cans to be precise.
A couple of years after the races began, the Birdsville Pub opened. This pub is recognised the world over as one of the most famous outback hotels. In modern times it's had a bit of a revamp, following years of misfortune. Not only did it survive a cyclone in 1905, it was then struck by fires on two separate occasions. After such an eventful history, the walls are full of local historical memorabilia.
If you're looking for a real museum then head to the Birdsville Working Museum, located just up the road from the pub. Entry costs $7 and three times a day owner John Menzies will show you his amazing 'antique' collection. Here you'll come across all sorts of strange stuff, from a hydro mix maker to old household appliances.
Birdsville also has its own beach, located at Pelican Point. A couple of kilometres outside town, the beach is a haven to over 108 species of birds, and is great watering hole for those hot summer days. Being surrounded by desert and thousands of kilometres from a decent sea breeze you can image just how hot it gets.
If you go around 35 kilometres out of town, you'll get to the edge of the Simpson Desert and Nappanerica. Commonly known as the Big Red, Nappanerica is one of the tallest sand hills in the southern hemisphere. It stands 90 metres high and is an awesome sight to see.
The facts:
MacAir's Night in the Outback Package includes return flights from Brisbane, one night at the Birdsville Hotel, Breakfast, Dinner, and a Town and Country tour. All this costs $799 per person.
Travel West
Tel: 1800 654 303
Macair Airlines
