Finke Desert Race logo with motocross rider jumping through the air under dramatic lighting.

In the heart of the Australian Outback—where the sun scorches and red dust stretches endlessly—you’ll find one of the most thrilling motorsports events in Australian history: the Tatts Finke Desert Race.

But this is no ordinary race. It’s the nation’s toughest, fastest, and most dangerous off-road race. In this unforgiving landscape — with deep ruts and unexpected bumps around every corner — it takes more than just skill to succeed. To emerge as “King of the Desert”, competitors need to bring all the grit, guts, and resilience they have.

Whether you’re heading to the Finke off-road race for the first time or returning for another year of action, this guide is for you. Explore the history of the event, past Finke race results, and how to enjoy it to the fullest. 

What is the Tatts Finke Desert Race? The History, Rules & Results of Australia’s Biggest Off-Road Race

Over two days, riders and drivers alike will push themselves to their limits, covering over 460km of uneven terrain at breakneck speeds of up to 170km/h. From dirt bikes to buggies to trophy trucks, the event attracts vehicles of all kinds.

 Finke: There and Back – Official Trailer

How It Began: The History of the Tatts Finke Desert Race

Back in 1976, the Finke off-road race started as a “there and back” challenge for a group of local motorbike racers. Their mission was simple: race from Alice Springs to Finke.

The initial race was so successful that it led to the official creation of the Finke Desert Race. Ever since, it has been held on the long weekend of the King’s Birthday (formerly the Queen’s Birthday) in the Northern Territory.

In 1988, the race expanded to include cars and off-road buggies. The change spawned a fierce rivalry between two-wheel and four-wheel riders, all of whom were desperate to finish first and claim the “King of the Desert” title. For the first 11 years, two-wheelers held on to the title. That is, until a buggy crossed the finish line first in 1999, making history. In 2005, the rules changed again. From that point on, there would be two “King of the Desert” titles: one for cars/buggies and one for bikes. The winner in each category walks away with glory and $10,000.

Group of motocross riders on dirt bikes preparing for the Finke Desert Race start.

How It Works: The Rules of the Tatts Finke Desert Race

Much of the safety rules of this Alice Springs desert race are geared towards the spectators rather than the participants themselves. We’ll explore these in greater detail later in this article.

However, when it comes to entering the competition, there are rules and requirements every competitor needs to meet.

Motorcyclists must have a Senior National Motorcycling Australia Licence and at least one of the following:

  • Completed Finke
  • Compete in National Off-Road (AORC) or Motocross
  • Completed other major official off-road events (e.g. Sunraysia or Condo 750)
  • Competed in an internationally recognised rally (e.g. FIM World Rally)
  • Competed in other Motorcycling Australia-recognised open events (e.g. local/state/territory off-road race series) in the last 5 years

Drivers must have at least one of the following:

  • Completed a minimum of two AORC rounds within the last 24 months,
  • Scored AORC outright points in a round of the previous season, or
  • Meet 100 points from items in the points checklist below:
    • 50 points per Finke event in the last 5 years
    • 25 points per AORC event in the last 5 years
    • 10 points for having a current off-road licence (for 3+ years)
    • 5 points for having a current off-road licence (for less than 3 years)

How It Went: The Results of the Tatts Finke Desert Race 2024

Who reigned supreme last year? Take a look at the Finke race results below to find out:

Cars

  1. Beau Robinson & Shane Hut
  2. Billy Geddes/Brett Comiskey & Corey Cooper/Alan Cornick
  3. James Cook & Mitch Aucote

Bikes

  1. David Walsh
  2. Callum Norton
  3. Korey McMahon
A wide shot of riders lined up at the start of the Finke Desert Race in the Australian outback.

Tatts Finke Desert Race 2025: The Must-Know Details

In 2025, the Finke off-road race will run from 6-9 June in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Below is everything you need to know about the event, including its schedule, racers to watch, and how to stay safe.

Action Agenda: The Finke Race Schedule 2025

Although the official event runs from 6-9 June, there are pre-start festivities on 4 and 5 June. To help you make the most of your experience, here’s a day-by-day guide to the action:

Wednesday 4 June — Finke Mixers

Location: Lasseters (The Juicy Rump)

Time: 5 pm

Enjoy a delicious meal, live music, and the chance to meet Finke ambassadors.

Thursday 5 June — Finke Street Party & Night Markets

Location: Todd Mall and Council Lawns

Time: 5-9 pm

The Alice Springs Town Council Finke Street Party & Night Markets will feature a range of market stalls, children’s activities, and meet-and-greets with competitors. The event is family-friendly and completely free, making it the perfect start to a thrilling weekend.

Friday 6 June — Scrutineering

Location: Start/Finish Line Complex, South Stuart Highway

Time: 4-9 pm

The Scrutineering event is your chance to get up close and personal with the vehicles competing in the Tatts Finke Desert Race. You’ll also have the chance to meet your favourite competitors, enjoy food and drinks, and buy merchandise.

Saturday 7 June — Prologue

Location: Start/Finish Line Complex, South Stuart Highway

Time: From 8 am (cars); from noon (bikes).

Watch from the edge of your seat as the competitors race to see where they’ll start in the official race. Cars then bikes will whip around the 8.3km track in the hopes of getting as close to the start line as they can. The top 30 finishers from 2024 will take to the track first, so don’t forget to arrive on time.

Sunday 8 June — Race Day 1

Location: Start/Finish Line Complex, South Stuart Highway

Time: 7:30 am (cars); noon (bikes).

The race is on. The cars will take off first, with the order depending on the prologue outcome. The first 20 vehicles will take one at a time, with their start times spaced out by one-minute intervals; vehicles 21 to 76 will then be spaced at 30-second intervals. The remaining vehicles will take off two at a time at 30-second intervals.

Next, the bikes will depart. The first 20 bikes will take off two at a time at one-minute intervals. The remaining riders will take off five at a time at 30-second intervals.

Competitors will camp overnight in the Aputula Community (Finke).

Monday 9 June — Race Day 2

Location: Start/Finish Line Complex, South Stuart Highway

Time: 7:15 am (cars); noon (bikes).

The race continues. Competitors — both bikes and cars — will depart in order based on their corrected time from Race Day 1 (i.e. how long it took them overall to get from Alice Springs to Finke).

Monday 9 June — Presentation

Location: Lasseters

Time: 6-11 pm Celebrate each finisher and discover which two competitors will be crowned “King of the Desert”. Each racer will receive their ‘Survivor Spike’ to commemorate their participation before heading to The Juicy Rump to continue the night with drinks, laughs, and camaraderie.

Tatts Finke Desert Race start and finish banner in Alice Springs with dramatic sky.

Standout Stars: Riders to Watch at the Finke Desert Race 2025

According to officials, this year’s Tatts Finke Desert Race is set to welcome back some familiar faces — who also happen to be major competitors.

“Several former top 50 competitors who have not participated in recent years are planning to use the 2025 event as a strategic preparation for our milestone 50th anniversary in 2026,” said Race President Antony Yoffa.

Among the confirmed all-stars are last year’s Kings of the Desert, David Walsh and Beau Robinson. Walsh (the bike champion) will be attempting to make history as the only contender in the history of Finke to win six consecutive titles. Robinson (the car champion) will be accompanied in his section by several other big names, including his brother Travis Robinson, Billy Geddes, and Brent Smoothy.

Staying Safe as a Spectator: Tips to Make the Most of Your Experience

A key part of enjoying Finke to the fullest is staying safe. Here are some best practices to follow when attending the race to keep you (and others) secure:

  • Stand at least 30m away from the track
  • Be mindful of ‘NO GO’ zones and avoid those areas
  • Stay behind all bunting and obey all signage
  • Do not stand on the outside of a corner
  • Follow the instructions of spectator marshals and event coordinators

Are you ready to experience the excitement firsthand? Get your Finke tickets today.