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Birdsville | Queensland

Birdsville

Birdsville, between the sands of the Simpson Desert and the gibber plains of Sturt's Stony Desert is the starting point of the famous Birdsville Track, which stretches to the south with the Simpson Desert to the west.

Birdsville began 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.

The town's original function was as a 'tariff wall' between Queensland and South Australia. Tolls which had provided the town's income, ceased in 1901 with the formation of the Federation and the town declined.


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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.

Birdsville is best known for its famous pub and the annual race meeting when the population grows from 120 to 6,000 in two days.

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Copyright 2007, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. cmsadmin. (2005, May 20). Birdsville. Retrieved March 22, 2010, from Plan Book Travel Australia Web site: http://www.planbooktravel.com.au/australia/qld/birdsville. This work is licensed under a Universal Publishers. Universal Publishers

Whats close? (direct line)

accommodation

0.3 km   Birdsville Hotel - The Outback Loop
5.7 km   Birdsville Caravan Park
126.7 km   Simpson Desert Oasis
243.6 km   Innamincka Hotel

attractions

0.0 km   Frontier Australia Inland Mission Hospital
0.1 km   Royal Hotel Ruins
0.2 km   Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre
7.9 km   Waddi Trees
33.8 km   Big Red
72.1 km   Simpson Desert National Park
97.9 km   Carcory Homestead Ruins
130.4 km   Bedourie Artesian Spa and Swimming Pool
130.7 km   Bedourie Outback Golf Course
130.8 km   Mud Hut
137.7 km   Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve
142.6 km   Coongie Lakes National Park
162.5 km   Innamincka Regional Reserve
167.6 km   Deon's Lookout
237.9 km   Strzelecki Regional Reserve
253.4 km   Diamantina National Park
260.6 km   Stonehouse Museum
260.8 km   Min Min Encounter
260.8 km   Boulia Sports and Aquatic Centre

events

0.0 km   Back 2 Birdsville Weekend
0.2 km   Birdsville Races
3.2 km   Birdsville Gymkhana and Motorbike Event
3.3 km   Australian Bronco Branding Championships
3.6 km   Birdsville Races
6.3 km   Simpson Desert Racing Carnival
128.2 km   Bedourie Campdraft, Rodeo and Gymkhana
130.7 km   Bedourie Camel Races
130.7 km   Bedourie Outback Ute and Wagon Muster
130.7 km   Bedourie Races
155.9 km   Betoota Gymkhana and Motorbike Event
156.3 km   Betoota Races
262.8 km   Boulia Camel Races

information

0.3 km   Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre
130.6 km   Bedourie Visitor Information Centre
260.7 km   Min Min Encounter and Boulia Information Centre

tours

0.1 km   Skinny Dingo Tours

Region: Outback

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