And they’re off … to Birdsville

Australia’s favourite outback horse race will stir up plenty of red dust when the 135th Birdsville Races kick off in September in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Billed as the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’, the tiny town of Birdsville transforms into a buzzing hive of activity with film and comedy nights, live music, cocktail parties and Fred Brophy’s famous travelling boxing troupe. For the expected 7,000 racegoers and punters, there are also plenty of local flavours to enjoy; starting with the famed Birdsville Bakery’s selection of curried camel and kangaroo and claret pies. But the Birdsville Races would not be complete without downing a true-blue Aussie beer at the Heritage-listed Birdsville Hotel. birdsvilleraces.com