Full guide, results: Tatts Finke Desert Race held in Alice Springs from June 7 to 9, 2025
The younger Robinson brother has taken his older brother’s King of the Desert title in an emotional finish, which has been dedicated to a family member who recently passed. Read the latest action.
The Robinson brothers have taken out one and two in the 2025 Finke Desert Race, in emotional scenes as the new King of the Desert dedicates the win to a family member who recently died.
Travis Robinson was the first to cross the line in Alice Springs on Monday morning, finishing this year’s Finke with a time of 01.46.09.
The new king of the desert said it’s been a long journey to take the top spot, but the icing on the cake was having his brother Beau come in behind him in second place.
“It’s the best result that we could have, you know, either way around it doesn’t really matter,” he said.
“It’s a reward for everyone, all the effort everyone’s put in.”
There were emotional scenes as the two brothers embraced, and dedicated the win to their late father who died last year.
“He suddenly died a couple of years ago, so it’s pretty, pretty bittersweet that we’ve won it twice,” Travis said.
Beau Robertson was the 2024 King of the Desert, but “could not care less” he was dethroned by his younger brother.
“It’s just good … people try their whole life just to finish this thing or obviously to win as well,” he said.
“But to run 1-2 obviously hasn’t been done before and I’m assuming will probably never get done again.”
Beau come in a little under a minute after Travis, while taking out third spot was Boston Morgan-Horan.
Next year will be the 50th Finke Desert Race, with Travis yet to make the call if he’ll return for the milestone race.
“We’re just gonna go back and assess. We sort of said if we’d ever win it, we’d just pack it up,” he said.
“We’ll see, the 50th’s pretty close – maybe we’ll come back for one more run.”
In the bike category, Corey Hammond was crowned King of the Desert, finishing with a final time of 01.52.39 on Monday.
“I got a good gap yesterday and just maintained it coming home, so it was a good run home” he said.
It’s Hammond’s first Finke title, with the 23-year-old taking the top spot eight minutes ahead of second place.
Hammond crossed the finish line in style with a wheelie while the checkered flag waved, a move second place Campbell Hall also did when he rolled over the line.
Hall said he’d planned the wheelie “a little bit” as “I didn’t do one last year” when he crossed the line in 11th place.
Hall finished with a time of 01.58.02, while Brodie Waters took third spot with a time of
02.01.54.
Waters was in second for most of the race but slipped after a crash which saw him cross the line in a bruised and battered condition.
He immediately sat down, and needed assistance to take some of his gear off.
“I just tried a little bit too hard and ended up cartwheeling but yeah, got back up and kept trying to survive on,” he said.
He received medical attention, and his bike was damaged at the finish line.
“I’m happy to come in 3rd, obviously disappointed to let second go, but it was my own silly fault,” he said.
“I’ll be back, hopefully a little bit smarter than this year and come back and try to retain my podium spot.”
Retaining the Queen of the Desert trophy and taking the title back to back was Madi Healey, who crossed the line with a time of 02.34.12.
“I think the rain really made it a lot rougher this year, like I was really surprised at the square edges … but you know, my bike and just my fitness, everything went well, so I’m happy with that,” she said.
But the icing on the for Healey was beating her partner Blaine Burke by minutes, as she looked to make it three in a row next year.
Callum Norton, the winner of the prologue on Saturday, dropped from first to fourth on the run down to Finke.
He’d pulled out due to sickness on Monday, making him one of more than 20 who did not finish the race over the two days.
Finke will return in 2026 for the 50th iteration of the iconic race.
Finke 2025: Battle of the brothers ramps up as desert race takes off
Sunday, June 8: The Robinson brothers are set for an epic battle back from Finke after backing up their Prologue success with a top two finish on Day 1.
The West Australian siblings Travis Robinson and Beau Robinson will fight it out for the 49th King of the Desert crown on Monday after making it to Aputula.
Travis completed the 223km leg at the lightning speed of 1 hour, 38 minutes and 26 seconds on Day 1 of racing, just short of Toby Prices’ 2022 record.
Travis’ form continues his strong bounce back after retiring last year due to a roll over and a win in the Prologue has him set for the hat trick of wins against year’s winner.
“I was little bit conservative getting use to the new jigger but machine held up good, just ran our race and just tried not to spin the wheels too much and cause too much chaos,” he said.
“The buggy weighs half as much so it’s just getting use to the body roll and more suspension in the truck.”
Brotherly bragging rights are still up for grabs for reigning King of the Desert Beau, who followed hot on Travis’ heels recording an overall time of 1 hour, 41 minutes and 30 seconds.
“It was a clean run, just settled in, know the young bloke put a lot of time on us during that first section but we just ran our race,” Beau said.
“We got here in once piece and that is what 30 years of doing this does.
“Last part was good but we knew Trav put heaps of time on us so it was about managing the guys behind and hopefully we can bring it home one two.”
Following behind was debutant Boston Morgan-Horton to keep himself in the mix, while Brett Comiskey and Billy Geddes are still in the battle for the finish line.
In the bikes, Prologue winner Callum Norton fell back to fourth on the trip down to Aputula and will have to overcome the deficit if he’s to achieve his maiden victory.
Corey Hammond made it down to Finke in first with a time of one hour, 53 minutes and 50 seconds to lead out Brodie Waters and Campbell Hall, who were in close pursuit.
“I just stuck to the game plan, just told myself to relax, push and my bike is really good at the moment,” Hammond said.
“I don’t have a massive team around me but I am proud of the program we have put together and going up against these factory boys I will put my head down tomorrow to charge all the way home.”
Saturday, June 7, 1pm: The 2025 battle for the cars King of the Desert crown is shaping up to be a family affair, with the brother of the man who took last year’s title recording the fastest time in the Finke Prologue.
Beau Robinson, who was the 2024 Finke king of the desert in the car category, came second to his brother Travis in prologue day.
However, Travis Robinson, who topped the field with a time of 4:43.254 downplayed the brotherly battle after the opening exchange.
“We’re just happy to get the win for the family and for the team,” he said.
Travis said he was in a new car this year, which is a “completely different animal to anything I’ve ever driven”.
“We’re still learning,” he said.
With “plenty of lunatics” – “including my brother” – Robinson said it’s shaping up to be a tight race on Sunday, but was hopeful he and his brother can sit atop the podium again this year.
Beau wasn’t too far behind with a time of 4:47.533 beating out Boston Morgan-Horan, who completed the podium with 4:48.981.
In the bike category, Callum Norton led the pack and recorded a time of 04.46.798 to take out the prologue in the bike category.
Norton averaged 100km/h an hour around the track, two kilometres-per-hour faster than second placed Corey Hammond, who finished with a time of 04.53.694.
But Norton, looking to take the top spot at the end of race, said he could be getting up to 175km/h on the track in a bid to get the win.
“I think if I can be averaging around 120 would be ideal … that seems to be the winning speed,” he said.
Norton came second overall last year, but was feeling confident he’ll continue his success in the prologue throughout the weekend by starting from the front.
“I think it’s going to help a lot (starting at the front). It’s always dusty out here in the desert … so being able to take off in the first two guys is pretty big,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get the start and get out front.”
The race to Finke kicks off on Sunday, with cars taking off from Alice at 7.30am while the bikes will leave at 12pm.
This year’s side-by-side winner was Lachlan Bailey, who said it was his first time taking out the prologue after he “was pretty close last year”.
“I always knew the Maverick car, had the speed to be up there, but just wasn’t quite sure,” he said.
It was his eighth time racing Finke, having previously raced five times on a bike and three times in a buggy.
He said he’s aiming to finish the race with a time of around two hours this year.
Everything you need to know for Finke 2025
Friday, June 6: The Tatts Finke Desert Race roars back into Central Australia giving motorsport enthusiasts a front-row seat to one of the most daring races in the country.
Also known as ‘Australia’s Greatest Desert Race’ and one of the NT’s largest annual sporting events, it’s sure to deliver again in 2025 – with many making their way to Finke for the coveted title.
More than 500 competitors will take on the 446km between Alice Springs and Aputula (Finke) for the King of the Desert title in one of the toughest and most remote off-road challenges.
Meanwhile, more than 12,000 spectators are expected to camp along the track with the Prologue to get proceedings into gear on Saturday, followed by the race there and back on Sunday and Monday.
This year’s race will be without one of the legends of the sport with five time King of the Desert David Walsh having retired, but it sets the stage for others to take his place.
Finke Desert Race Committee President Antony Yoffa said he looked forward to welcome thousands of visitors to the Red Centre for annual event.
“I congratulate all the volunteers who have agreed to help in this year’s event; their support is critical to the success of this iconic community event,” he said.
“To all the lucky campers along the track, there in nothing like sitting around a campfire, waking to ice on your swag and then listening to the road of a trophy truck – stay safe and have a wonderful time.”
Major Events and Tourism and Hospitality minister Marie-Clare Boothby said Finke was more than just a race; it is a major tourism drawcard that put the Territory on the global stage.
“Finke is an opportunity to showcase our unique landscapes, culture, and experiences while boosting our economy,” she said.
“Last year alone, Finke contributed more than $12m to the Central Australian economy, filling accommodation, boosting local businesses, and promoting adventure tourism.
“It also creates opportunities for Aboriginal-owned enterprises and community groups in and around Aputula, who play an important role in the event’s success and cultural activations.”
For tickets, detailed course maps, and the full weekend program, visit the website at finkedesertrace.com.au
Bushfires NT Chief Fire Control Officer Tony Fuller reminded punters to remain vigilant near campfires.
“The rains in Central Australia have resulted in a lot of grass this year and even in areas previously burnt, we are seeing significant regrowth,” he said.
“In simple terms: more grass equals more fuel and an increased fire risk – fortunately the weather is not extreme, but the fuel load risk remains.”
“Do not put hazardous materials” into a campfire, do not leave fires unattended, and ensure a responsible adult is supervising the campfire.”
Last year, an explosion at a campsite along the Finke track hospitalised six people.
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Five the six injured were flown to hospital in Adelaide for treatment, with an NT Health spokesperson confirming the injuries came from a “serious campfire mishap”.
“Remember to clear a wide area, four meters is the preferred distance, of all bush and flammable material around any campfire, and most importantly, extinguish all campfires no longer in use,” Mr Fuller said.
“Following these simple rules will help to ensure everyone has a great weekend and remains safe along the track.”
Originally published as Full guide, results: Tatts Finke Desert Race held in Alice Springs from June 7 to 9, 2025
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