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 all tickets to the bucket list event officially out of the gate from today Friday May 30th.
The general on sale of all tickets including offering the OBE Pavillion tickets for the first time will happen from 10am today at www.birdsvilleraces.com.
A seat in the fully catered trackside OBE Pavillion is always the hottest ticket available with demand growing year on year. The recent Early Bird ticket offer for GA tickets drew the biggest response for early ticketing the Birdsville Races have had since the first event back post Covid – hinting at a possible record year for attendance.
“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,” said Birdsville Races Event Manager Ginnie Hope-Johnstone.
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.
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,” 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 tickets are $99.90 (plus fees) and includes 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. OBE Pavillion tickets, that include catering and entertainment in a trackside marquee, are $310pp for the Friday with tickets $360pp for Saturday’s race day.
“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,” added Ginnie Hope-Johnstone.
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.
TICKET DETAILS
- Two-Day General Admission: $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
