Birdsville Hotel
Birdsville is famous for its isolation, the Birdsville Pub and the annual Birdsville races. The town sits between the sands of the Simpson Desert and Sturt’s Stony Desert, and the Birdsville Track stretches to the south. It was originally called Diamantina Crossing in 1881, but the name was changed to Birsdville in 1885. Birdsville is a long way from everywhere, 1,600 kilometres west of Brisbane for a start.
The population of the town is usually a couple of hundred people, but this grows to a few thousand at the time of the Birdsville races. They had to be cancelled this year because of the floodwaters. This is a very rare occurrance.
We stayed the night at the Birdsville Hotel on our trip around the South Australian Channel country and Lake Eyre. We couldn’t miss the chance to stay at one of Queensland’s iconic towns. We stayed at the Birdsville Hotel – it was great. Take a look at some memorable moments.
inside the pub
part of the pub's hat collection
the old Royal Hotel
just as well it doesn't rain much
gorgeous gum tree
a great wall
a long way from everywhere
rough country
expecting more rain
a mud bird's nest
incredible bule sky
the billabong near town
galahs having dinner
The one on the right is really tucking in!
the remains of a drinking session
the artesian bore head and cooling ponds
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it's probably not used much
saltbush
I had always imagined that saltbush would actually be a bush, but it is a low growing weedlike plant. Cattle would not survive here without it.
quite a collection
I've always wanted long legs
flying the flag
Birdsville racetrack from the air
the Queensland/ South Australian border
That line across the landscape is the border between Queensland and South Australia. I wonder who put it there.
It is no surprise that so many people make their way to this remote part of Australia. It is truly amazing.