Birdsville, located between Simpson Desert and Sturt's Stony Desert is the starting point of the famous Birdsville Track, Which Streaches into South Australia and the Simpson desert to the east. Initially developed as a customs depot for livestock movement between South Australia and Queensland, Birdsville was formerly known as Diamantina Crossing. Later the name Birdsville was adopted believing to be on account of the prolific bird life in the district.

Birdsville is located in the Temperate Zone with a generally arid climate. Rainfall average totals 160mm each year occurring mostly in summer with September being the driest month of the year. Daytime temperatures in the region reach an extreme mid 40 degrees Celsius in the summer ( November - February ) down to typical desert nights of 4 degrees Celsius in the winter. Milder daytime temperatures reach ( 15 to 35 degrees Celsius ) during the winter months.

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 200 to 6,000 in two days.

Birdsvile Races
Birdsville Wiki Entry
Diamantina Shire Council
Birdsvile Queensland Holidays