The western Queensland camel racing season gets underway this weekend with the Bedourie Pig and Camel Races on Saturday, July 13.
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Dozens of Australia's best racing camels will head 500km south of Mount Isa into the Simpson Desert to face off in six events on the day, worth more than $11,000.
Six camel races on the day
Also among the action is pig racing, wood chopping and novelty events like the 'old farts' and 'old boilers' foot race.
The traditional camp oven cook-off allows competitive visitors to bake your very own bread using provided ingredients.
Organisers the Bedourie Golf and Leisure Club said camel nominations closed Wednesday with well known teams such as NSW's Oakfield Ranch and Boulia-based Tom Woodhouse expected to compete.
Normally held the weekend after the Big Red Bash, this year it leads into the Bash delayed a week to accommodate headline act Midnight Oil. Diamantina Shire Council is encouraging visitors to get there early for the Bedourie Camels then catch the Boulia Camel racing the weekend after the Bash (July 19-21).
The western Queensland camel racing circuit concludes at Winton on July 27.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
