Birdsville set for 'Outback Cup'

This year's Birdsville races will be complimented by blooming wildflowers in the Qld desert.

AAP

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THERE'S an extra attraction at this year's Birdsville races.

Good rains have painted southwest Queensland with the purples, pinks and yellows of millions of wildflowers.

"At the moment the desert is spectacular," said event co-ordinator Lisa Pearson.

"There are wildflowers, it is green, it is just spectacular."

The town itself is festooned with brilliant displays of Sturt's Desert Pea, Ms Pearson said.

The rains have caused some problems for travellers, but the famed Birdsville Track from South Australia reopened on Monday, albeit to single vehicles only, no trailers allowed.

"We've had record nominations. We've got people starting to flow in now and it looks like we'll have another big race meet," Ms Pearson said.

That means between 5000 and 7000 visitors to a town whose normal population is about 115.

There have been 243 nominations from 137 horses for the 13-race program, Ms Pearson said.

Add to that the 31st annual appearance of Fred Brophy's boxing tent, a sportsman's night featuring former jockey Malcolm "Miracle" Johnston and rugby league legend Tommy Raudonikis, and it'll be a big weekend in the outback town 1600km west of Brisbane.

Nicknamed the Melbourne Cup of the Outback, the event will also have on display the 18-carat Melbourne Cup itself.