Betoota, more than 800 kilometres south of Mount Isa, is Australia’s smallest town with a population of zero, but will become a hive of activity, when it comes alive for the opening race of the famous Simpson Desert Racing Carnival this weekend.

Before last year, an average of 300 people attended the family friendly, locally oriented race meeting but the number doubled to 600 last year.

Organisers are anticipating 1000 people to descend on the tiny hamlet this year for the Saturday raceday and live entertainment.

Betoota Race Club treasurer Bev Morton said the Betoota Races changed their dates to take advantage of the huge number of travellers passing through on their way to Birdsville, and to entice trainers to run their horses at both events. 

“We’ve been running since 1979, although we used to have our races a fortnight after the Birdsville Races,” Mrs. Morton said. 

“We changed our dates so that we were the weekend before Birdsville and that has been working very well for us and our numbers are growing substantially.”

Country star Mick Lindsay and his band will be on track to accommodate the growing number of punters with some people already set up camp at the racecourse in anticipation of Friday night’s entertainment and Saturday’s races.

Lindsay said he was excited about playing at the iconic event.

‘‘My grandfather, Bill [William] Lindsay used to live on Mount Lennard Station, of which Betoota is part of, so I’m looking forward to coming out and being able to spend the whole weekend where he spent so much of his life and where my Dad grew up,” he said.

“I played out at Betoota solo last time so I’m really excited to have the full band with me this year. I’ve also recently released my debut album and this is the first event for the Outback Queensland tour where I will have my CDs for sale.’’

Betoota Race Club secretary Lorraine Kath said that securing Lindsay for entertainment was somewhat of an achievement.