The early days of Birdsville, in colour.

Birdsville, near the border with the Northern Territory and South Australia, is famous for its outback race meeting, and its legendary hotel. Both were established almost immediately after the township was set up, and both have continued, indomitably (and riotously) ever since.

The town is part of the Simpson’s Desert National Park district, and owes a great deal to the use of camels to transport just about everything to and from there for years.

Camel team coming over to Birdsville lead by the camel driver, ca. 1926.
Police Constable William Patrick Boyle mounted on a camel, Birdsville, 1927. I’ve heard of mounted police divisions, but this is next level. That camel is giving attitude.

Western Champion, January 1900.

Jack Gaffney with camels and calves, Birdsville, Queensland, ca. 1927. Although pictured here with camels, Jack Gaffney made a name for himself around this time with vehicular derring-do. He helped get the mails across (see below), drove 40 miles along the Diamantina to bring a sick man to hospital, and located a lost elderly man who would have died of dehydration otherwise.
Mob of goats led by a lone camel, Birdsville, Queensland, 1906. (Apparently this camel was the constant companion of this group of goats, an idea that so charmed Copilot AI that it drenched the scene in warm colours.)
Wylie’s team of horses at Birdsville, 1906.

The Birdsville Racetrack.

Weighing in at the Birdsville Races, Queensland, ca. 1926.

BIRDSVILLE (LOWER DIAMANTINA) RACE MEETING.

The first race meeting held at the newly formed township of Birdsville, situated on the Diamantina River, eight miles north of the South Australian border, was held on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of September, and was largely attended, nearly 160 station owners, managers, stockmen, and other employees being present. The weather was delightful, the entrances for the various events good, and the finishes in most of the races close and exciting. Nearly £200 was raised by public subscription, which speaks well for the prosperous condition of the district.

Queenslander, 18 November, 1882.

Birdsville Racecourse in the Queensland outback, ca. 1926. I think that’s the finish line?

Getting the mails in.

Boulia to Birdsville mail run, 1926.

Today the Maree (S.A.) mail arrived — over four weeks since we saw it last. The contractor had leave his motor car back some ten miles, and pack the mails in on horses kindly lent and assisted by Mr. Jack Gaffney and Mr. Frank Lewis. They boated the mails across the river, and the landing was very boggy. Mr. Jack Shepley’s car, and that of Mr. Frank Lewis, were also left behind at the south of the rabbit fence.

Townsville Daily Bulletin 27 March 1930.

Men guide a car onto a ferry to cross the Diamantina River.

Around the traps.

Shearers in an open car, Queensland, 1920s.
Police Station and Court House, Birdsville, ca. 1925.
Old stone Birdsville store in 1927, Queensland.
J. Turnball catching shrimps at Birdsville, Queensland.
Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville, 1927. Built in 1884, still in operation today. If those walls could talk…
  • Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.: 1866 – 1939), Saturday 18 November 1882, page 702
  • Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.: 1866 – 1939), Saturday 6 January 1883, page 7
  • Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld.: 1907 – 1909; 1912 – 1966), Thursday 27 March 1930, page 8
  • The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld.: 1874-1954), Thursday 19 December 1929, page 3.
  • Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld.: 1864-1933), Thursday 27 November 1930, page 4.
  • Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine, Qld.: 1892 – 1922), Tuesday 9 January 1900, page 8.
  • All images are taken from the digital collection of the State Library of Queensland, and are out of copyright. AI colourisation by Copilot.

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