Saddle Up For The Trip of A Lifetime
Early Bird tickets released for the iconic Birdsville Races
September 5 & 6, 2025
Renowned as the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, The Birdsville Races will once again run on the first Friday and Saturday of September, marking the 143rd. iteration of the iconic event – with early bird tickets officially out of the gate from today Thursday May 22nd.
Running on a dusty red earth track, the races will be staged on September 5 and 6 drawing thousands to the tiny desert town that famously swells from 100 residents to more than 6,000 punters, pilgrims and partygoers.
From 10.00am Thursday May 22nd, subscribers to the Birdsville Races website database can access limited-release discounted tickets, with general public access opening on Friday, May 23rd via www.birdsvilleraces.com
The general on sale of all tickets including the OBE Pavillion will be Friday May 30th at 10am. Birdsville Race Club Vice President Gary Brook urged punters to lock in their spots early.
“We know our racegoers plan their travel well in advance, so we’re suggesting they grab tickets now at a discounted price and put the money saved into the kitty for a trackside beer or punt,” Brook said.
This year’s event won’t just be about fashion and fun. After widespread flooding across Outback Queensland, the 2025 Birdsville Races will be the biggest event staged in the region this year delivering much needed tourism support.
“Outback Queensland needs tourism to help recover from the floods. Stock has been wiped out and it’s going to be years until some landowners fully recover, and this has a knock-on effect in small regional communities. Tourists can not only do good with the money they spend traveling to Birdsville, but it will also be an incredible time to visit the region,” said Gary Brook. “We’re anticipating a bumper crop of wildflowers, there will be an abundance of wildlife, and the waterways are flowing. The Channel Country really sings after rain so it will be spectacular to experience – and all roads will be open, allowing our roadies to come from all directions.”
Two-day General Admission Early Bird tickets are available for $89.90 (plus fees), including return shuttle transfers from Birdsville township to the racecourse and membership to the Birdsville Races Roadies – an initiative that includes access to curated road trip itineraries and outback discounts across multiple states.
Prices for GA tickets will rise to $99.90 once early bird tickets close at 11.59pm AEST on Thursday May 29th unless sold out prior.
Event Manager Ginnie Hope-Johnstone said the draw of the Birdsville Races went far beyond the racetrack.
“We know that the trip to Birdsville through spectacular outback landscapes and welcoming country towns is nearly as important to our Roadies as the two days of racing. We love following along and seeing the camaraderie and fun had as they make their way to us. We have such a broad group of travellers who join us. From grey nomads to backpackers, racing die-hards and families in between, the races draw a diverse crowd – but they all seem to have a similar spirit of adventure and love of a good time.”
Once they hit Birdsville for the race weekend Roadies can expect a sensory overload: one of the world’s last remaining boxing tents run by the legendary Fred Brophy, camel pies, golf on the red earth fairways of the Birdsville Dunes Golf Club and the Birdsville Hotel that is the beating heart of the township on the race weekend.
A seat in the fully catered OBE Pavillion is always the hottest ticket available with demand growing year on year.
“We encourage everyone who would like to experience the OBE Pavilion to get in quickly. Last year tickets sold out within minutes and we had a lot of people asking how they could get tickets. The answer is ‘get in early.’ The OBE Pavilion is our answer to the Birdcage, albeit with dusty boots and a more relaxed sense of fun. Whether you’re in sequins or stubbies, everyone is welcome trackside in Birdsville,” added Ginnie Hope-Johnstone.
TICKET DETAILS
- Two-Day Early Bird General Admission: $89.90 + fees
- GA Post-Early Bird: $99.90 + fees
- OBE Trackside Pavilion: From $310pp (Friday) and $360pp (Saturday)
- Pre-Ordered Picnic Boxes: $60 + fees
WHEN: Friday 5 – Saturday 6 September 2025
WHERE: Birdsville, Queensland
TICKETS & INFO: www.birdsvilleraces.com
