Couple back at Finke Desert Race after finding love via social post

Naomi Findlay says she's glad she responded to Ben Rawcliffe's social media post. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

It is one of the toughest off-road races in Australia, attracting adrenaline junkies from all over the world to the undulating red dirt track through the bush.

But for Queensland man Ben Rawcliffe, the Tatts Finke Desert Race, a 460-kilometre motorbike, car and buggy race now in its 50th year, presented another opportunity: a race to find love.

Last year, tired of navigating dating apps and balancing his FIFO work, Mr Rawcliffe decided to post on a local Finke Desert Race group, sharing a picture of an empty camp chair in front of a fire, with the words "Position vacant, future wife".

Ben Rawcliffe had no idea how successful his post about finding a future partner would be. (Supplied/ABC News: Xavier Martin)

Naomi Findlay says the first time she and Ben Rawcliffe spoke on the phone, she loved the sound of his voice. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

Now, they are back for this year's race, with Ms Findlay taking to the track again.

"I'd been single for a few years, and I put a fair bit of effort into the dating apps and got pretty disheartened," she said.

"I really got more into the bikes when I was single … I hoped through that community I'd meet someone, and here I was lining up for my third Finke after a lot of racing, and I hadn't met anyone yet.

"Then this guy put up a post after the event, and I was really not sure, but I [thought] look, I've got to be open-minded here, and message him and see what happens."

Naomi Findlay says having her partner by her side for the race feels "absolutely amazing". (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

When she did message him, they were both living busy lives. She was working as a remote community teacher and he as a mine worker in Western Australia.

"[By] probably our third phone call, I was pretty much like, 'Do you want to meet me next weekend halfway across Australia?'" Ms Findlay said.

"Because if you don't, there's probably not going to be another opportunity for at least a few months."

Ben Rawcliffe says Naomi Findlay is the kind of woman he had hoped to meet when he made his initial social media post. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

Mr Rawcliffe made the journey down to South Australia, where they spent their first date whale watching and motorbike riding.

Since they met, they have travelled the country on motorbikes. Ms Findlay now lives with him in Queensland in between stints working at remote schools.

Ben Rawcliffe says it feels "amazing" to be back in the desert supporting his partner through the race. (A