Travel Information

Getting here

Located in Queensland's Channel Country, bordering South Australia and the Northern Territory, the Diamantina encompasses the main towns of Birdsville and Bedourie, with Betoota as a third town in Outback Australia.

Bedourie is about 1,600 km west of Brisbane, while Birdsville lies 191 km south of Bedourie and 1,193 km from Adelaide. Betoota is 167 km east of Birdsville and 219 km west of Windorah. Our towns are accessible by both road and air.

Flying

Rex Airlines travels twice weekly to Birdsville and Bedourie from Brisbane, and twice weekly from Mt Isa.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

On Tuesday 30 July 2024 Regional Express Holdings Limited (Administrators Appointed) (ACN 099 547 270) and a number of its subsidiaries (ASX: REX) (the Rex Group) have entered voluntary administration.

!! Regional operations are unaffected. All regional planes are still flying as scheduled.


FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGIONAL FLIGHT BOOKING GUARANTEE


In the event that a REX flight is subsequently cancelled and not rescheduled, and no alternative service has been delivered to the customer, and the Rex Companies are unable to provide a refund, the Federal Government has agreed to provide a guarantee over any chargebacks and refunds.

  • Monday: Brisbane-Well Camp (Toowoomba)-Charleville-Quilpie-Windorah-Birdsville-Bedourie-Boulia-Mt Isa

  • Tuesday: Mt Isa-Boulia-Bedourie-Birdsville-Windorah-Quilpie-Charleville-Well Camp (Toowoomba)-Brisbane

  • Thursday: Brisbane-Well Camp (Toowoomba)-Charleville-Quilpie-Windorah-Birdsville-Bedourie-Boulia-Mt Isa

  • Friday: Mt Isa-Boulia-Bedourie-Birdsville-Windorah-Quilpie-Charleville-Well Camp (Toowoomba)-Brisbane

To make a reservation, visit www.rex.com.au.

Several companies offer charter flights to the region. Birdsville Aviation (in conjunction with Wrightsair) provides Charter & Scenic Flights over Big Red, Goyder Lagoon, Channel Country, Simpson Desert, Lake Eyre, Coongie Lakes and more. They also offer Avgas & Jet-A1 refuelling services.

Scenic flights from Birdsville

 

 

Birdsville Races Airport Management

  • Parking on the sealed apron is restricted to larger jet and turbo prop aircraft and is by application only. Parking Application
  • Compacted earth parking is available for GA aircraft and rotary wing. No prior booking is required.
  • Parking and landing fees apply at Birdsville Aerodrome.View fees.
  • The Use of Birdsville Airport is subject to Terms and Conditions.
  • Camping is not permitted on the airside at Birdsville Airport. Please book your accommodation before flying in.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to call Glenn Robinson on 0449 517 574 or email glenn.robinson@airportsupport.com.au.    

 

Driving

The Diamantina is an RV and caravan-friendly region, offering incredible events and authentic outback experiences. 

We strongly recommend using 4WD or AWD vehicles for travel throughout most of the Diamantina, as many roads are unsealed and can pose challenges for low-clearance 2WD vehicles, particularly when wet or corrugated. If you're planning to drive the Birdsville Track, explore Munga-Thirri National Park, or tackle similar tracks and trails, a high-clearance 4WD is the most suitable choice.

The main access roads in the region are:

  • Diamantina Developmental Road runs from Windorah in the east to Bedourie in the northwest of the Diamantina Shire.
  • Birdsville Developmental Road connects to the Diamantina Development Road in the east and travels west to Birdsville. The turnoff for Betoota is along this road. 
  • Bedourie and Birdsville can be accessed from the north via Eyre Developmental Road.
  • Birdsville is accessible from the south via the Famed Birdsville Track.

Fuel 

Travelling in the diamantina fuel map

Desert Driving 

A Desert Parks Pass is required to enter and camp in Munga-Thirri – Simp­son Desert Nation­al Park. Park Passes can be purchased from the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre in Birdsville. 

The Simpson Desert parks in South Australia and Queensland are closed during summer from December 1 to March 15. Vehicles entering the area must have high-visibility safety flags attached to the front. 

From Birdsville, you can enter the desert via the QAA Line to Poeppel Corner. Depending on road conditions, the 160 km journey from Birdsville to Poeppel Corner may take 6 to 8 hours as it traverses some of the largest sand dunes in the desert, so be sure to allow plenty of time. Travel via the Shire road, which branches off the inside Birdsville Track just southwest of Birdsville. This road joins the QAA Line at Big Red, a sand dune located 33 km from Birdsville, and heads west into the park.

If you're travelling through this area for the first time, it's recommended to cross the reserves from west to east to take advantage of the gentler ascent on most dunes. Be sure to carry reserves of fuel, water, and food, as well as basic vehicle spare parts and recovery equipment.

Click here for more info about Munga Thirri National Park

Vehicle Hire

Please be aware that there are no hire car companies in the Diamantina region. Hire cars are available in Mt Isa, Charleville, and Longreach. If you plan to travel to the region in a hire car or rented camper, check whether the insurance covers travel on roads in this area. Some hire car insurance may be void if you drive on roads like the Birdsville Track.

 

Always check road conditions before travelling, and ensure you have sufficient water, food and fuel for the journey.

Check Diamantina Road Conditions HERE

Check Queensland Road Conditions HERE

Check South Australian Road Conditions HERE

Check Northern Territory Road Conditions HERE