More than 32 millimetres of rain fell on the small isolated town on Friday, covering the track with several inches of water and cutting all roads in and out of Birdsville.

Thousands were left stranded at the event as a result of the weather conditions.

It is only the second time in history the renowned Birdsville Cup has been cancelled.

The last was in 2007 when equine influenza struck.

This year the event hosted just five races before the track was closed.

Despite the rain, event coordinator Lisa Pearson said it was still a great weekend.

"We've had more than 3500 go through the gates and the vibe has still been really great out here," she said.

"Phantom races still ran at the track and we're hoping to the hold the Cup as soon as we can get the track sorted out."

Birdsville Race Club president David Brook said it was the first time he had seen that much rain in the town during the races.

"In 40 years the only time I've seen it rain was 1977 and it stopped before the races so we were able to grade the track in time," he said.

"We've had dust, wind and heat, but never this. It's a bit disappointing the races didn't happen like planned but it's all part of the Outback experience."

First-time Birdsville race goers from Mount Isa; Mel Tribolet, Anna Rankin, Robyn Crutchett, Richard Langton and Mat Tribolet said they couldn't believe they'd missed seeing the Birdsville Cup.

"We saw some of the races, but it was a bit upsetting we missed the big one," Miss Rankin said.

"But I'll come back again."

The group were camping in the riverbed near the race track when the rain overnight on Friday turned their backyard into a mud heap.

"We had to sleep sitting up in the car because our swag got so wet," Mrs Tribolet said.

"There was mud nearly up to our knees."

Behaviour track-side and in town at the pub was fairly tame according to police.

There were a small number of arrests including people charged with drink driving and people caught driving without seatbelts. Several cars attempted to pass road closed signs.