Birdsville

• Summary
• Weather for Birdsville

Thought the great Australian Spirit had been lost? Well think again. Birdsville is one of Australia's must visit towns.

An area of wild country and extreme isolation, Birdsville is the starting point of the famous Birdsville Track, which stretches to the south with the Simpson Desert to the west.

Beginning its life as 'Diamantina Crossing' in 1881 and was given its present name in 1885. It is said that one Robert Frew, a local identity, gave the name as a compliment to the birdlife of the area.

Another theory on the town's name is that locals wanted to name it Burtsville after a popular settler named J. Burt. Burt declined the offer and the name Birdsville was used as a compromise. The Diamantina River, to the east of the town, was named in 1866 by explorer William Landsborough.

Birdsville is perhaps best known for its famous pub, as well as the annual race meeting - when the population grows from 120 to 6,000 in two days. The Birdsville Races include includes a 12 race program, XXXX Birdsville Gold Cup, and prize money in excess of $110,000.00 AUD. Held in September.

Birdsville also offers todays traveller a modern community with a sporting complex, gymnasium, two galleries, a bakery, air services, motel, hotel, caravan park and cabins, coffee shops and restaurants, general store, post office, medical clinic, fuel and auto services, and a police station.

The town is now a starting point for many people travelling into South Australia along the Birdsville Track which was first developed in the 1880s as one of Australia's first major cattle routes. Stories of stockmen who passed through Birdsville on this famous track are part of town legend.

• Simpson Desert National Park - spinifex & desert wildlife
• The Birdsville Hotel - the locals watering hole!
• Big Red Sandhill
• Birdsville Working Museum
• Dingo Caves
• Waddi Trees