Punters in Birdsville embrace the heat at annual race meet

IT WAS supposed to be the more civilised day on the track, but punters left nothing to the imagination as they converged for day two of the Birdsville races.

IT WAS supposed to be the more civilised day on the track, but punters left nothing to the imagination as they converged to the Simpson Desert for day two of the Birdsville races.

With blokes opting for frocks, and the women stripping down to their jocks — the ‘Melbourne Cup of the Outback’ lived up to it’s reputation as Australia’s most quintessential race meeting.

With temps this hot, why wear pants? Picture: Lulu Freedman.

Punters at the Birdsville races day two. Picture: Lulu Freedman.

Thousands started rolling in from Thursday afternoon, which sees the town swell from a residential population of 100 to more than 6000 people.

Located in the western corner of Queensland, the races meet is equally famous for its races as it is for the fashions.

Runners dressed as glasses of beer compete in the Schooner Cup at Birdsville races AAP Image/Darren England.

The winner of the Schooner Cup gets beer for a year. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

With beer and champagne flowing well before the first race, the big day raises much needed funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“It’s the only place everyone wants to buy you a beer,” Birdsville races club vice-president Gary Brook said.

Governor-general Peter Cosgrove attended the Birdsville races on Saturday. Picture: Salty Dingo.

“People in Sydney and Melbourne don’t turn around to you at the bar and say ‘where are you from? Can I buy you a beer?’”

As the temperature crept into the 30s, merchandise stalls reported selling more stubbie holders than anything else while cowboy hats, riding boots and thongs were the most popular attire.

The race day draws more than 6000 people to the remote town of Birdsville. Picture: Salty Dingo.

Jordan Wilson from Broken Hill at the Birdsville race meeting. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

A few men opted for frocks over jocks. Picture: Lulu Freedman.

Amid a sea of animal costumes and blokes dressed as girls, there was a serious side to the fashions.

Winner of the Birdsville 'Classic' Fashions on the Field. Picture: Salty Dingo.

Taking out the ‘Classic’ category on the field, the winner stole the show in a classic white dress complemented with a flowered headpiece.

Joining the festivities were Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Senator Pauline Hanson, to celebrate the event’s 135th year.