Locals excited as travellers arrive for the outback’s biggest racing event

A plan to take 10 people to Queensland’s Birdsville Races grew into a 47-person journey from New South Wales, with two coaches carrying travelers from Central Station in Sydney to the outback event.

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I experienced Birdsville for the first time last year, and I always wanted to take some people out there.

Dubbo-based comedy creator Robert Wharram organized the trip after visiting Birdsville for the first time last year. His social-media invitation quickly expanded, and the first bus sold out within four days. A major sponsor then provided two 57-seat coaches.

Wharram decided the group should give something back to the community. Because the sponsor was paying for the buses, the travelers will donate $100 per person to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, rounding the total up to $5,000 for handover on the first day of the Birdsville Carnival.

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I thought, given that they're paying for our buses, which is mind-blowing, the least we can do is donate $100 per person to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Tim Morgan, a fitter and turner from Wollongong, joined after following Wharram’s Wiradjuri Rabbs Entertainment account. He said the journey’s appeal included supporting small towns along the route. The group also holds a share in a racehorse, with any winnings earmarked for the Motor Neurone Disease Foundation.

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This is what it's all about, giving back, putting money back into the country towns, getting out here, seeing it all.

Birdsville Races vice-president Gary Brook said local businesses were excited to see visitors after a difficult year for outback tourism. Flooding caused road closures and event cancellations, while fuel-price increases linked to the war in Iran initially reduced winter travel. The event has 13 races scheduled over two days, and Brook hopes attendance will exceed 3,500 people.

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I think they're all excited to have some visitors. It's been a really tough year for tourism businesses out here.