If you are interested in a last minute reservation or Organized Group Campsites, please choose the phone or in-person options. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2019 OHM Group Pty Ltd | All Rights Reserved | Powered by. Today, the race is run along sections of what was the old Ghan railway service track alongside the Old Ghan Railway line. Please only book an accessible campsite if you need it or all other campsites are booked. For iPhone/iPad, Android & Windows - CLICK HERE. The race format is quite simple - you race from Alice Springs 230km south to the community of Apatula on the ancient Finke River, camp the night then race back again the following day. Finke Desert Race was EPIC! To race from Alice Springs to the Finke River and return. The prologue (time trials) are being held on Saturday the 9th of June, in an 8km loop near the start/finish line, and racing starts around 7am both Sunday and Monday for the buggies (later for the bikes). Excessive consumption of alcohol will not be tolerated. Campers and visitors are subject to all Forest Preserves of Cook County rules, regulations and ordinances and may be ticketed and/or ejected for any violations. All blog comments are checked prior to publishing. THE FINKE DESERT RACE WITH OZ RV TRAVELS AND CAMPING - YouTube THE FINKE DESERT RACE WITH OZ RV TRAVELS AND CAMPING @ozrvtravels Subscribe 8 Dislike 0 Share A reporter asks Santa's. This camping spot is ideally placed if you want to base yourself in the heart of the West MacDonnell Ranges and it makes for easy travelling to all the popular attractions like Redbank Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge. If a competitor crashes near you, don't rush straight onto the track to help them. We are ready to head out of the unseasonal rain and into the northern heat, with the Darwin Caravan, Camping and 4WD Show our next destination before starting the Kimberley leg of our around Australia adventure. The course was set to race from Alice Springs to the Finke River and return. Originally the Finke was only a bike race. All bikes and cars are on display, and its a show and tell opportunity for all competitors. Australias ultimate off-road race and one is one of the biggest annual sporting events on the Northern Territory calendar. Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC), accessible campsite options and amenities, Clear Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum, Did You Know? Cooking in cabins without kitchen is prohibited. For all details on campsites, visit our campground pages: Hours Forest preserves are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Joining you on the 5-night experience of the 2021 Tatts Finke Desert Race is Aussie Motorsport Star Cam Donald. . In terms of what NOT to bring - the list includes dogs (and other pets), unregistered cars and bikes, and fireworks. . Finke is a significant annual sporting event in the Northern Territory. While scrutineering is taking place its a good time to check out the entrants. For 11 consecutive years the bikes were too fast for the cars despite the gap constantly narrowing. Remember, it is in the middle of the desert! Take the unknown path with Hema Maps, Guides and Navigation. So you wanna race at Finke? The Forest Preserve Foundation supports the mission and goals of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Booking.com The Finke Desert Race, or Tatts Finke Desert Race, an off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for motorbikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes through desert country from Alice Springs to the small and remote community of Aputula (called Finke until the 1980s) in Australia's Northern Territory.The race is usually held each year on the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June. While in Alice Springs we took the opportunity to have the van serviced, as keeping our equipment in top condition is paramount to a trip with a schedule. A travel website sharing Australian travel adventures, jaw-dropping photos and no-nonsense travel tips and advice. JUNE 209 - 12 . When the sun does break through during the day remember that unprotected skin can burn, so remember to use your sun screen and slip-slop-slap. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. CAMPING . Finally, in 1999, a buggy returned home first to claim the honour, with the bikes winning back the title in 2000 and 2001. Leaving Kings Canyon on an overcast Monday morning, we opted to take the Mereenie Loop Road. Again there were dingoes in the campground, bold enough to steal a carton of milk from right under the nose of a seasoned camper. A unique event, Finke is enables people of all walks of life to become involved. Generally expect it to be cold when the sun goes down. Get it on iOS and Android. Bikes and cars no longer race against each other for the title. RV/Tent Campsite (With Electricity): 6 people. Home Things to Do Camping Camping Reservations & Rules. In what is a gruelling physical event and a challenge to the team of mechanics looking after each vehicle, Toby finished second in his maiden four-wheel event and again took out first place in the bikes, which was a huge feat given the line-up of seasoned competitors that made up the remaining place-getters. Weather for the Finke Desert Race is often unpredictable. The video above gives a great overview of the Glen Helen area and features the 2 mile camping area. Fly in - race the event - fly home! VisitCamp Sullivan,Camp Bullfrog LakeorCamp Reinberg, seven days a week from 8 am to 4 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day) to make an in person reservation at any campground. There are other places to set up camp in the West MacDonnells, however none stack up to the beauty and tranquillity of the 2 mile camp. Camping Form The Tatts Finke Desert Race is an off road, multi terrain two-day race for bikes, cars & buggies through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community. Parking placards are provided to registered campers and must be displayed at all times. FDRG is inspired by the real-life Tatts Finke Desert Race, on off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for bikes, cars, buggies, and quads through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (an aboriginal) community. Glass beverage containers are prohibited. Each player is timed differently for the duration of the race. From 2002 until 2004, the buggies held onto the King of the Desert title. Winter in the Preserves: Theres Still Plenty to Do! VKS-737 mobile 1619. Watch this ultimate guide as Justin and the crew pre-run the Finke racetrack and show you how we at Patriot run the Finke Desert . [citation needed], The 2020 race was cancelled for the first time in the event's history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Choose from three distinct vehicles, each with their own unique playstyle! 2023 TATTS FINKE DESERT RACE | SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS . Aussie Mob also participates in affiliate programs with Booking.com, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. In 2005 the title was changed to see two "Kings of the Desert", one for the cars and one for bikes, each picking up $10,000 for their effort. Most of the other camping areas have facilities and are limited in size with allocated spots. Bush camping about 60 km south of Alice Springs for Finke Desert Race in Central Australia. Driving nails, screws or other objects into trees or otherwise disrupting the natural environment is prohibited. The course was set to race from Alice Springs to the Finke River and return.. After the success of this initial ride, the Finke Desert Race has become an annual event. ARB came up trumps as always, getting us back on the road for the weekend. Unvaccinated visitors must wear a mask indoors at all times; and they must wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing (six feet from other people) is not possible. While originally the Finke was only a bike race, its increasing popularity saw the introduction of cars and off-road buggies in 1988. While we enjoyed every moment in this beautiful part of the country, it was time to head for Alice Springs and the Finke Desert Race. When bathrooms are in use, please wait outside or come back later. You can do so at Appearance > Widgets in the WordPress settings. Call 855-YES-CAMP (855-937-2267) to make a reservation by phone, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Open to all comers it is the most fun you can have with a helmet on! The buggies were keen to claim the holy grail of the race as outright winner or King of the Desert. The banks of the Finke River is one of the best places to camp in the MacDonnell Ranges. The Track is divided into five sections: The race started in 1976 as a "there and back" challenge for a group of local motorbike riders to race from Alice Springs Inland Dragway to the Finke River and return. The people of Alice Springs are proud to host the Finke Desert Race and many take the opportunity to go camping beside the track to cheer the race goes onto victory. Camping on the Aputula Aboriginal Land Trust at the Finke Community, in the 'Race Camp' to the north of the community, is discouraged for ALL Spectators. But this is a basic camping area. Campfires are only allowed in designated fire pits. Average daily temperature for June is around 20 degrees, sunrise is usually around 7 am and sunset at 6 pm. The Oodnadatta Track took its toll on the Ranger. [4] The buggy category had already been won earlier that morning. A rivalry developed between the two and four wheelers, as the buggies were keen to claim the holy grail of the race outright winner or "King of the Desert" as it is known. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); For 11 consecutive years the bikes were too quick for the cars despite the gap constantly narrowing. After the success of this initial ride, the Finke Desert Race was born and has been held annually on the Queens Birthday long weekend. This didnt deter the diehards, with a small crowd there long before the first car departed at 7:30am. Red dirt, sand, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks line the dusty course of this desert race. This camping spot is ideally placed if you want to base yourself in the heart of the West MacDonnell Ranges and it makes for easy travelling to all the popular attractions like Redbank Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge. Finke Desert Race Game (FDRG) is a mobile racing game (bike and off-road vehicles) where the player is tasked with dashing through the tumultuous Finke desert at the highest speed possible in order to win. Positions decided, Day 1 is when all vehicles depart Alice and race to Finke. 2023 Australian Camping Powered by WordPress. Firewood will be delivered to your campsite; call the office for additional firewood ($5/bundle). Not so at the 2 mile camping ground. Cam has raced at the Macau Grand Prix, the North West 200 and is a two-time winner of the Isle of Man TT. Finke is a unique event that enables people from all walks of life to become involved. In an emergency, call 911 and then call the campground office. All competitors (bikes, quads and buggys) must have their machine and clothing checked and passed for compliance before the race commences. CARS Greg Schlein/David Fellows, Buggy, NT, BIKES Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT With storm clouds gathering we hustled a little faster than we might have preferred, but still revelled in the beauty of the area, including some wild brumbies enjoying a waterhole. The Origins The race started in 1976 as a 'there and back' challenge for local motorbike riders. Alice Springs comes alive at this time of year. A Nepalese couple, now a resident of Australia eventually perceiv. If you are planning to camp further down the track - race organisers say people must be aware that the road between Deep Well and Rodinga will be closed from 6am to 6pm both Sunday the 10th and Monday the 11th of June (race days). MemberMy Profile My Blog My Position Send Message, MemberMy Profile My Position Send Message. Follow. Organisers are asking that all rubbish be removed from campsites at the end of the weekend. The race started in 1976. Number of registered campers and unregistered visitors cannot exceed the capacity of your campsite/cabin. Even though the railway line was realigned and rebuilt in the early 1980s, with the old tracks being pulled up, the race continues along its original course. The event welcomes Method Wheels as Prologue Day Naming sponsor for 2021, 2022 and 2023 - the Tatts Finke Desert Race's first ever official wheel partner. Read more: 21 Reasons to visit Alice Springs. Carry and use hand sanitizer if you touch surfaces like doorknobs and handrails. Compete in the iconic Finke Desert Race and see if you can make it all the way and back! Camping Leadership Immersion Course (CLIC), Clear Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum, Did You Know? The people and local businesses of Alice Springs are proud to have ownership of the Finke Desert Race. Reservations must be made at the campground at least 10 business days in advance. Swimming is prohibited in all Forest Preserves waterways. In 2005 the title was changed to two Kings of the Desert, one for the buggies and one for bikes. Conversely, just a swag is equally acceptable and just as much fun, such is the camaraderie and inclusive atmosphere of this amazing event. This didn't deter the diehards, with a small crowd there long before the first car departed at 7:30am. Please read COVID-19 rules and information before making a reservation. Our recommendation is whether or not this is really your thing, the Finke Desert Race is a worthy experience to attend if you are in the area in June. (Courtesy: Finke Desert Race Organisers). Through the gorges and peaks of the West MacDonnell ranges we finally experienced some breaks in the cloud, giving us glimpses of red rock, still in a sea of green. For those of us (and there were many) who wanted to stay close to the event while it was on, camping was allowed right along the entire track, as landowners generously allowed both competitors and public onto their property. Same-day reservations can be made at the specific campgroundcall ahead to make sure staff is onsite. Chippewa Campground. https://www.partner.viator.com/widgets/pas.jspa, Olive Pink Botanic Garden a Desert Oasis, A Guide to Incredible World Heritage Sites in Australia, Off the Beaten Track Day Trips from Darwin, Roadtrip to the best Top End National Parks. Whether it's your first time or your 30th - it's always good to have a checklist of things to remember. Our campgrounds are perfect for one-of-a-kind weddings, family reunions or corporate retreats. Camping. Australia's ULTIMATE Desert Race 9th - 12th. Be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes, jackets, blankets and a beanie and scarf to keep warm. Although the bikes and cars no longer race against each other for the title, it is always interesting to see who completes the 460km round trip in the fastest time. The camper applying for a reservation must be 18 years or older to reserve a campsite and 21 years or older to reserve a cabin. All campgrounds have an accessible bathroom/shower building with a roll-in shower with a bench as well as an accessible changing area with a bench. The Tatts Finke Desert Race . Race organisers expect up to 16,000 people to camp track side over the weekend - which means a few rules will need to be followed for everything to run smoothly. 3 campgrounds in Kankakee River State Park. No refunds will be issued if a member of the camping party on the reservation is ejected for a violation of rules or policies. Limited dates are available for Friday and Saturday. Information collected is subject to our privacy policy. You may book up to 6 consecutive nights, and up to 10 nights in a 30 day period. Please protect our preserves. Maximum length of RV/Popup or Camper cannot exceed 40 feet at applicable campgrounds. 2021 Tatts Finke Desert Race. 2023 Finke Desert Race Australia Game Powered & Designed By Arkitech, 2023 Finke Desert Race Australia Game Powered & Designed By. However it is always interesting to see who completes the 460km round trip quickest. The Finke Desert Race, or Tatts Finke Desert Race, an off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for motorbikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes through desert country from Alice Springs to the small and remote community of Aputula (called Finke until the 1980s) in Australia's Northern Territory.