Review: Our Big Red Sunset Tour in Birdsville!

Watching the sun dip below the horizon at Big Red, the tallest sand dune in the Simpson Desert near Birdsville, is one of those iconic outback moments that every traveller dreams of. And while you can drive yourself out there, the Big Red Sunset Tour makes the experience seamless, memorable, and a lot more fun.

For many first-time visitors, questions come up: Is it really worth taking a tour when you could go on your own? What makes it special? And what exactly should you expect from the experience? That’s exactly what I’ll cover here.

Since Matt and I joined the Big Red Sunset Tour, I’ll share what the evening is like, and of course, whether it’s worth it. From learning about the desert landscape to simply soaking in that stunning sunset view, here’s everything you need to know about this must-do Birdsville experience.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

Review: Birdsville Big Red Sunset Tour (Pros & Cons)

Overall, Our Big Red Sunset tour in Birdsville was worth the value, hassle-free, and one of the highlights while staying in town. Our guide Alex was entertaining, knowledgeable, friendly and made for a brilliant night out watching the gorgeous outback sunset dip below the horizon.

Additionally, the Tour bus was comfortable, air-conditioned, included drinks and snacks, and allowed for a smaller group of about 20 people. I would definitely recommend the Big Red Sunset Tour when visiting Birdsville in Outback Queensland.

✅ Pros

• You get a local, expert guide who knows the area well, its history, landscape, and which routes work best.
• The tour bus / 4WD is air-conditioned and comfortable, so you can relax rather than stress out about the drive and dust.
• They include drinks and nibbles, which means you don’t have to pack everything or worry about provisions.
• The timing is organised so you’re out at Big Red for sunset, for a relaxing evening.
• Less risk of getting stuck or lost, roads out to Big Red are dirt/gravel and “the drive up the dune can be challenging” for some.
• No need to worry about vehicle capability (4WD or not), tyre pressures, or dirt damage.

❌ Cons

• Loss of flexibility, you’ll have to adhere to the tour schedule rather than going at your own pace.
• Higher cost per person compared to driving yourself.
• Less adventure/independence, driving yourself gives you more freedom to stop, explore side roads, linger longer.
• If weather or road conditions change, you might be more constrained (tours may cancel or reroute) versus you having the autonomy to decide.
• You may be with other people (group tours), which could mean less privacy or a slower pace.

What to Expect on the Tour?

Starting the tour

The Big Red Sand Dune is located about 35 kilometres out of Birdsville, in the Simpson Desert. The roads to get there are dirt and gravel, driving through properties with cows and horses.

Our Tour today was hosted by Alex from “Big Red Tours“. We were picked up at 4pm from the Wirrarri or Birdsville Tourist Information Centre (expecting the sunset at 6pm). It currently costs $150 per Adult and went for about 4 hours. 

Drive through Town & the Surrounds

We visited town in a low season, and funny enough, we were the only two people on our Tour. This gave us a more personalised service for the evening, but not sure it would have mattered either way.

We started by driving around the town’s centre seeing the shops, school and other prominent buildings. This means learning some of the histories, and how the locals live in this very remote lifestyle.

After that, venturing to a few sites like the Burke and Wills Tree, Races area, and the Diamantina River. Additionally, there was a speaker system onboard which made it easier for Alex to explain everything as we went along.

The town tour took about an hour, and we then started the drive out to the sand dune. This took about 30 minutes, including lowering the Tyre pressure and driving up!

Note: The flies were shocking at this time, and a fly net might come in handy. We picked one up at Big W for $5, but they eased off after the sun went down. My visit was at the end of July and could differ at other times of the year.

On Top of the Sand Dune

Once we drove up Big Red, we had about half an hour looking around and taking some photos. At the same time, Alex set up the Table, Chairs with Beer, Wine, Soft drinks & snacks.

Note: We don’t have special dietary requirements, but I do believe they can cater for that also.

As the sun dipped lower, the chatter quieted to soft murmurs, and eyes fixated on the changing colours over the horizon. We sat there, captivated by the spectacle and reveled in a true bucket list item for any adventurer in Australia.

The sinking sun cast a fiery glow across the sands, enveloping everything in a warm, red radiance and reminding us of the simple, awe-inspiring beauty of nature. This was more than a tour; it was a moment of connection with the earth and each other.

Note: The Temperature does drop, so, taking a light jacket might be a good idea if you feel the cold.

We stayed until the glow from the sun subsided, and we were the last ones to leave the dunes.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Ending the Tour

The tour ends by driving the 30 minutes back to town and getting dropped off where we were staying. I believe, hotel or Caravan Park drop-offs are part of the tour cost!

Note: Did you know that this is not the only dunes you can visit in Outback Queensland? Windorah has several sand dunes available.

Why You should Take a Tour?

Surprisingly, we travelled to Birdsville in our own four-wheel-drive vehicle and were planning to drive up to ourselves anyway. Although, we had others reason for choosing a Tour Bus. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Learning some local knowledge from the guide.
• Touring the town and other sites that we should see.
• Finding out how hard it was to get up on our own.
• Meeting new People.
• Wine and Cheese spread (being able too have a couple of drinks)
• Taking the Hassle out of doing it ourselves.

What to bring?

To ensure you make the most of your tour experience, here’s some of my suggestions on what you should bring with you:

• Camera: Snap those stunning sunset shots.
• Jacket: As the sun disappears, the desert can get quite chilly, so a jacket is recommended for those who tend to feel the cold.
• Fly Repellent/Net: Depending on the time of year, flies can be a nuisance, so come prepared.
• Drinks: Feel free to bring your own beverages if you have a specific preference. While they offer a selection, it isn’t much, and limited to a couple per person.
• Snacks: They provide dairy-free and gluten-free nibbles, but you will need inform them in advance. Those with severe allergies should consider bringing personal snacks to be safe.
• Toilet Facilities: Be aware that there are no on-site toilets on the dunes. Make sure you go before getting on the tour and limit your intake of drinks.
• Hard of Hearing: If you’re hard of hearing, you can bring an FM radio to tune into the commentary (most modern phones come equipped with this feature).

Why is the Dune so significant?

Well, Big Red is the first sand dune in a parallel series of over 1140 dunes in the Simpson Desert (Or the Munga-Thurri National Park). Standing at 40 metres, it’s the highest sand dune, and it’s the one everybody wants to visit.

Its stature is not only an impressive natural formation but also a challenge for four-wheel drivers seeking the thrill of conquering Australia’s desert giant. The sense of achievement in reaching to the top is paralleled only by the gorgeous views, offering a unique perspective of the vastness that is the Simpson Desert.

Note: You can explore the surrounding areas over Big Red and the other 1100 sand Dunes. There is a 4WD track that takes you into Poeppel Corner, which is open for camping, and you can find more Australian Wildflowers.

Where to Stay?

Most people visiting will have some sort of camping setup. This can be used at the Caravan Park or the free camping options.

Alternatively, you can stay in comfortable rooms at the Birdsville Hotel where we stayed, or cabin style at the Caravan Park. 

Note: Fixed Accommodation options are limited. Therefore, you need to book in advance using these options (even in Low season). High seasons or events like the Races or the Big Red Bash music festival will require booking close to 12 months in advance.

Wrap up!

In conclusion, the Big Red sand dune is an iconic must-see destination in Outback Queensland. I hope my Review has convinced you that the sunset tours are still a great idea, even if you plan to see it on your own.

Not finished planning yet? Then, look for more adventures, and be sure to check out my other blog posts in this Outback Queensland region.

• Best Things to see in Outback Queensland
• Risks of Night Driving in Outback Queensland
• Best Things to do in Longreach!
• Best Things to do in Winton that are worth visiting!
• Charlotte Plains Station, Artesian Hot Springs near Cunnamulla
• Best Things to do in Charleville in Outback Queensland
• Things to do in Cunnamulla QLD