GO! FINKE

A RED DIRT ROAD TRIP TO THE HEART OF THE DESERT

Every June, the tiny community of Aputula (Finke) explodes into life as off-road fanatics from across the country descend on one of the toughest desert races in the world — the Finke Desert Race. But long before the start gates drop, our own journey kicked off on the east coast, carving a line west from Brisbane through Queensland’s outback heart, all the way to the red sands of the Northern Territory.

This is a road trip for those who live for the long way around. The dusty, scenic, occasionally rough-around-the-edges kind of adventure that reminds you why you travel on four wheels.

THE HISTORY OF FINKE DESERT RACE

There’s no town quite like Finke during race weekend. Spectators camp trackside, race rigs scream past in clouds of red dust, and the whole community buzzes with energy. This isn’t just an event — it’s a pilgrimage. Hard, dusty, unforgettable.

The Finke Desert Race began in 1976 as a friendly competition between a group of local motorbike riders racing from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community and back. Over the decades, it has grown into one of Australia’s most iconic and challenging off-road events. Held annually on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June, the race now attracts hundreds of competitors in both bikes and cars, including top-tier international and national teams.

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Covering approximately 460 km of harsh desert terrain, the event tests endurance, speed, and skill across red sand, deep whoops, and unpredictable conditions. Deeply rooted in Central Australian culture, the Finke has become more than a race for fans and competitors alike, celebrating the grit and community spirit of the outback.

THE ROUTE

BRISBANE > ROCKHAMPTON [Distance: 630km | Drive time: ~7hrs].
ROCKHAMPTON > EMERALD [Distance: 270km | Drive time: ~3hrs].
EMERALD > WINTON [Distance: 600km | Drive time: ~6hrs].
WINTON > MOUNT ISA [Distance: 470km | Drive time: ~5hrs].
MOUNT ISA > BARCLAY HOMESTEAD [Distance: 450km | Drive time: ~4.5hrs].
BARCLAY HOMESTEAD > ALICE SPRINGS [Distance: 720km | Drive time: ~7hrs].

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TERRAIN & WILDLIFE

The journey from Brisbane to Alice Springs reveals a dramatic shift in Australia’s landscapes and ecosystems. Beginning in lush, subtropical greenery, the terrain gradually transforms into open farmland, dry grasslands, and eventually vast, arid plains. The vegetation becomes sparser, the soil redder, and the skies wider as you move inland. Wildlife shifts from coastal birds and forest-dwelling species to hardy outback animals like kangaroos, emus, and wedge-tailed eagles. The further you travel, the more remote and rugged the land becomes, ending in the striking desert environment of the Red Centre.

Kangaroos: Estimated 50 million kangaroos roam Australia—more than twice the human population. They're especially common in open grasslands and semi-arid zones inland.
Emus: The emu is Australia’s largest bird, with a population of around 625,000 to 725,000. They thrive in grasslands and arid scrublands across the outback.
Wedge-tailed eagles: Australia's largest bird of prey, with a wingspan up to 2.7 metres. They're widely distributed across the interior and often spotted feeding on roadkill.
Reptiles: Australia has over 1,000 species of reptiles—more than any other country—including geckos, dragons, snakes, and goannas. Many are adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Koalas & Possums: Found more in the eastern coastal and hinterland forests, with koalas numbering around 329,000 nationally (2021 estimate), though they rapidly disappear as you head inland.
Bird species: Over 800 bird species in Australia, many of which are unique to specific regions. Inland you'll see species like galahs, corellas, brolgas, and budgerigars.
Insects: Termites and ants dominate arid regions. Some desert ant species are adapted to survive ground temperatures over 50°C.

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OUR FAVORITE SPOTS

Blackdown Tablelands National Park

Access: Bitumen with final gravel sections — high clearance 2WD or 4WD
Stay: Munall Campground
Why go:
Just a few hours inland from the coast, this often-overlooked national park delivers cool temps, waterfall-fed creeks, and misty mountain mornings. The short 4WD-only Rainbow Falls track is a great warm-up, and the views from the escarpment walks are well worth the stop.

Lara Wetlands

Camp: Lakeside bush camping with artesian baths
Access: Suitable for caravans and campers — dry weather only
This station stay south of Barcaldine is a true outback oasis. Wake up to mist on the lake, soak in the artesian tubs, and camp under endless skies. It's a photographer’s dream and a perfect halfway marker between the gemfields and the outback proper.

Cloncurry & Mary Kathleen

Resupply: Full services in Cloncurry
Camp: Free bush camp at Mary Kathleen (abandoned uranium mine)
Trail rating: Easy unsealed road, but high clearance recommended
Mary Kathleen is an eerie, beautiful ghost town that offers some of the most scenic free camping in Queensland. Surrounded by red cliffs and silent streets, it’s a place that feels frozen in time.

Tennant Creek & Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)

Stay: Basic campground at Devils Marbles
What to see: Giant granite boulders glowing red at sunrise and sunset
Track tip: Short rocky trails around the boulders — watch for soft sand
Sacred to the Warumungu people, the Devils Marbles are scattered like a giant's playground. Camp nearby and walk through the formations as light changes across the rock. It’s hauntingly beautiful.

West MacDonnell Ranges
Off-road options:

Palm Valley Track (advanced): Soft sand and rocky sections
Redbank Gorge access (intermediate): Rough and narrow but scenic
Why stop: A great place to regroup. Spend a day or two exploring gorges, chasms, and swimming holes like Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Then restock before the final push.

Finke Gorge National Park to Finke

Trail rating: Advanced 4WD — sand driving, rock ledges, remote
Camp: Remote bush camping in the National Park
From Hermannsburg, the track to Palm Valley winds through creek beds and steep-sided ranges. It’s slow going and spectacular. As you drop further south, the road straightens, the country flattens, and dust begins to take over.

EAT

Along the journey from the east coast to the Red Centre, Aussie pubs and bakeries offer a slice of outback culture, hearty meals, and a chance to meet locals. Scattered across small towns and roadhouses, these establishments are more than pit stops—they're social hubs steeped in character. You'll find classic country pubs with wide verandas, tin roofs, and walls covered in memorabilia, offering cold beers, chicken schnitzels, and friendly banter. One of the most iconic is the Walkabout Creek Hotel, made famous by Crocodile Dundee, where the movie’s laid-back outback charm still lives on. Bakeries along the way serve up Aussie staples like meat pies, lamingtons, and fresh bread—perfect fuel for long stretches of driving. Whether it’s a roadhouse toastie or a pub counter meal with a view of red dirt and dusty utes, these local spots are an essential part of the outback road trip experience.

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NOTES FOR TRAVELLERS

Fuel: Top up at every major stop after Rockhampton
Comms: UHF and satellite devices strongly recommended
Navigation: Offline maps and GPS a must — signal drops often
Recovery: Bring your own gear — winch, MaxTrax, compressor, two spares
Travel time: At least 2–3 weeks for comfort, longer if you want to explore off-track

Whether you're heading west for the race or just chasing the red horizon, GO! FINKE is more than a drive — it’s a journey into Australia’s untamed heart. The tracks might shake your rig and test your patience, but the stories? They’ll stick with you forever.