Follow the camels as they race through outback Queensland.
What is it about camels? Hardy, lumpy and notorious for spitting when they’re grumpy. Yet they’re still so damn adorable and just a little thrilling to be around. Now imagine red dirt flying, camels charging and crowds cheering throughout outback Queensland towns in one giant, month-long race. Enter Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail.
This all-new outback Queensland experience started in the tiny town of Jundah, made its way to the iconic town of Birdsville for a brand new event, the Birdsville Camel Carnival. And now the race will continue through four other towns until July 26 (with plenty of time to rest in between, of course). But how can you get involved?
Catch the camels after their fast start in Jundah. (Image: Danielle O’Brien)
July 12: Bedourie
Race over to the Bedourie Camel and Pig Racesthis weekend to see the races, of course, but also browse market stalls, enjoy a tasty lunch and experience the unique performance that is the Crack Up Sisters. From aerial circus stunts, knockabout clown acts, impressive whip cracking (no really, the sisters have won awards) to a whole lot of gags, a performance by The Crack Up Sisters goes big or goes home.
Watch the fun Aussie performance group, The Crack Up Sisters. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)
July 18 – Aug 2: Boulia
The Boulia Camel Races is a three-day event of camel racing, live music, performances and even a race for humans who don’t mind running in jocks and socks. It’s a true and quirky taste of the Queensland outback. Outside the festivities, you may even spot the famous Min Min Light: an unexplained phenomenon reported in the Australian outback, where a floating, fast-moving ball of light appears to follow cars.
July 26: Winton
Yet another reason to visit Winton, the camel racing will culminate in avibrant arts and music celebration in a nod to the town’s famous ties to outback storytelling (Banjo Patterson first performed Waltzing Matilda in a local pub here).
Saddle up to Winton. (Image: TEQ)
A good reason to stock the esky and hit the highway.
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.
Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.
Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.
And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.
Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.
Day 1: An eventful day
Morning
Explore The Strand.
Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.
Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.
Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.
Afternoon
Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.
For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.
Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.
Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.
Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.
The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.
Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.
End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.
However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.
Day 3: Natural delights
Morning
Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)
Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.
A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.
Afternoon
Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.
Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.
Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.
