Go behind-the-scenes on one of Australia’s most iconic events – secure tickets by volunteering
The Birdsville Races, one of Australia’s most iconic outback bucket-list experiences, are calling on volunteers nationwide to help deliver its historic 144th edition.
Renowned as the Melbourne Cup of the outback, the 2026 Birdsville Races will be staged on Friday September 4 & Saturday September 5, and will be the biggest event staged in Outback Queensland this year.
“We know budgets are tighter, so saving on ticket costs by volunteering is a smart play. And once in Birdsville there is a large amount of free, pet-friendly camping that can be accessed – before, during and after the races. It’s a great opportunity for grey nomads in particular to spend a longer time in Birdsville,” added David Brook.
“What people will see on the way to and in Birdsville this year will be something special. The Outback is already coming alive, particularly the veins of the unique Channel Country landscape that the water has flowed through. We’ll have an abundant Bilby season by the time Spring hits in September, as well as emus and hundreds of different birds in addition to beautiful desert wildflowers. The trip to and from Birdsville will be spectacular.”
Not just a dusty good-time in the heart of the Outback, the Races present an opportunity to also give back to the community via volunteering, with the event raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia – a vital charity that provides help to remote areas often cut off from medical services, as well as inter-hospital transfer services between metropolitan areas.
Volunteer registrations are now live at www.birdsvilleraces.com/Volunteer, with all volunteers required to be 18 years-of-age or over.
Volunteers can nominate to complete their shift with friends and family, and in line with a particular skill-set or area of interest. Depending on the team, volunteer time-commitments start from as little as nine hours split across a few days.
Roles are available in hospitality, information, as marshals and gate staff, ticketing, mini bus drivers, set-up and pack-down and volunteer coordinators assistant.
In return, volunteers receive a complimentary general admission ticket for both days of racing to access all of the fun of Birdsville’s iconic desert race track, and will also receive exclusive Birdsville Race Club merchandise
Before and after shifts, volunteers can participate in an array of one-of-a-kind experiences as Birdsville transforms into a buzzing hive of activity with film, live music, cocktail parties and experiencing the famous Birdsville Hotel.
“Volunteering is the best way to really be immersed in the magic of the Birdsville Races. You’re behind the scenes on one of Australia’s best known Outback events,” added Gary Brook, Vice President of the Birdsville Race Club.
“We know that previous volunteers have developed friendships and memories to last a lifetime, and have been part of a truly unique experience.”
Along with thousands of intrepid travellers, volunteers of all ages flock hundreds-of-thousands of kilometres to Birdsville every year to help deliver a two-day, 13-race program, and a jam-packed schedule of outback entertainment and activities.
Volunteers travel by car and bus from metropolitan towns and centres in Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with some even chartering private jets to cut down on travel-time and catch a bird’s-eye view of Australia’s spectacular outback terrain in the process.
Many volunteers begin their journey from early August – travelling with friends, family and partners – and setting up camp early to enjoy the region’s yabby races, street parties and various other events that lead into the big Friday and Saturday race days.
