First there was the trip to Townsville to attend state parliament, which I've written about in the last two editorial columns.

I got back to Mount Isa late on Thursday but was on the road again on Friday lunchtime this time down to the Simpson Desert for the annual Birdsville Races.

I was a bit concerned as I was driving south that afternoon that the high wind and gradually decreasing visibility was the portent of a dust storm.

I've never driven in a dust storm and this was one experience definitely not on my bucket list.

Thankfully it never developed into a storm and the front passed to the north, giving Mount Isa, as I head a bit of a dusty spray on Saturday.

After staying overnight in Bedourie I was up early on Saturday for the final two hour push to Birdsville.

The town was packed as usual with revellers from all over Australia.

I took photos of people from South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales - and a surprisingly large number of Western Australians.

Whoever is doing the marketing of the races to the WA market is doing a very good job.

After enjoying the fun of the Calcutta outside the pub but buying no horses (the bidding was well in excess of a humble journalist's salary) and enjoying the sight of the still-full Diamantina River, it was time to drag my backside trackside.

The Birdsville racetrack is a huge set-up and comfortably equipped to deal with big crowds who spilled colourfully around every vantage point.

I willed on the North West Queensland jockeys and trainers in the Birdsville Cup but again it was not to be with Barcaldine trainer Todd Austin making away with the big pot.

Nevertheless it was a great day's racing and I didn't lose any money (mainly because I didn't bet).

I wonder whether the Big Red Bash is taking custom away from the Races but for now both events seem very strong and are great additions to our wonderful Queensland Outback social calendar.