Finke Desert Race
Sedan Class competitor crossing the Finke The Finke Desert Race is run from Alice Springs, 200km to Finke and then back again, every Queen’s Birthday weekend in June. Experience the thrill of cars, buggies and bikes as they race through the Australian Outback. This is one of the world’s great Desert Races. Get up close and personal to the action and the drivers by camping beside the race track to view this frantic and exciting race. We have a secret viewing place where there could be room for you and your mates too. (That’s if we don’t get there before you do.) My mates and I have probably been to seven or eight Finke Desert Races and still the heart pounds when the first car or bike comes into view. We reckon the best place to watch the race is from one of the many sand hills about seven kilometres north of the Aputula Township, at the Finke end of the race. These hills give the spectator a view of the racers for 6 to 8 Km in one direction and over a kilometre in the other. On a crisp winter morning you can hear the first buggy coming from over 10 miles away! The tension is electric! The next day, when the contestants race back to Alice Springs, the sound of revving race engines will drag you out of your swag at daylight! The return leg of the Finke Desert Race starts first thing in the morning. From the campsite on the sand hills it is an easy drive into the pits after the day’s racing where you can see the weary but friendly drivers and their machines. You might also have time to visit the carnival held on the Aputula football oval on the Saturday night. You’ve never seen young people enjoy themselves as much as these aboriginal kids at carnival time! The Finke Desert Race is a great way to spend a weekend in the Outback. If you tune into channel 1 or 2 on your UHF radio you can hear the Race Director, the checkpoint operators and the drivers as the race unfolds. Drive back to Alice Springs along the chopped up race track to appreciate the skill of these outback racers. The road takes you past the Chambers pillar turn off. Note: The Aputula Community is a “dry” community. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED IN THE TOWNSHIP. There is often a Breathalyser roaming the pits as well! (The sand hills are outside the 7 kilometre town limit, so we usually take a can or two, but someone stays sober to drive into the pits.) For all the details on the Finke Desert Race click here. (Opens new window)
Baja VW on its way back to Alice Springs
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