Photographs from Finke Desert Race 2021
We’ve been itching to get back to the Finke Desert Race ever since our last mad dash in 2016—and five years later, we finally made it back. Woo hoo! In 2021, the outback beckoned again, and we embraced the challenge with open arms and roaring engines.
This legendary race is a full-on, two-day bonza event where bikes, cars, buggies, and quad bikes all give it a red-hot go as they barrel through rugged desert country. Starting from Alice Springs and stretching 229 kilometres north to Finke, the race is as raw and raucous as they come. With the desert sun blazing down, the dust swirling like confetti and the machines churning at breakneck speeds, it’s no wonder the event is a true test of strength, endurance, and Aussie determination.
For a photographer, capturing this chaos was a bit of a wild ride in itself. There’s nothing quite like trying to nail that perfect shot when a racer is whipping past you at 100kph, the air rippling with heat and swirling with dust. Armed with up to 300mm lenses, we zoomed in to seize every fleeting moment—cropping and framing our images to highlight the intricate details and vibrant bursts of colour that tell the story of the race. We weren’t content to just capture a blur of motion; we wanted each picture to pulse with the excitement and energy of the race day.
The Finke Desert Race isn’t just about high-octane speed—it’s about the camaraderie, the relentless spirit, and the sheer joy of defying limits under the vast, unforgiving skies of the outback. Every snap we took has a story, a whisper of the daring determination of the racers and a nod to the epic landscape that set the stage. These photographs are our way of sharing a slice of that electric atmosphere, a slice of that uniquely Aussie adventure that makes you want to cheer, laugh, and perhaps even race along with the crowd.
So here’s our vibrant collection from the Finke Desert Race 2021—a celebration of speed, dust, and daring! We hope you enjoy them as much as we did capturing these unforgettable moments. If you’re keen to hear more yarns from the track or get behind-the-scenes insights into our photography techniques, we’re always up for a good chat about the outback buzz. Enjoy the ride!
