Camel tagging and yabby races will all be in the line-up of birthday fun when the Boulia Camel Races celebrates its 20th anniversary from July 14-17.
Since its beginnings in 1997, the iconic event has drawn thousands of travellers to outback Queensland to witness Australia’s longest camel race.
While the races remain the highlight, the addition of racing yabbies and the hilarious ‘tagging’ of camels has added a touch of larrikin fun, quite befitting a 20th birthday party in the outback.
Camel tagging, which involves fearless volunteers entering an arena, each with the mission of sticking a piece of duct tape onto one of the camels, has grown to be a crowd favourite and will feature on Saturday’s program.
“The camels we use are the younger and livelier ones, so they give the competitors a good run for their money. A few walk away with a bruise to their pride, but they are still laughing as much as the crowd is,” event secretary Shelley Norton said.
During the weekend, punters will be backing their favourite camel across 12 individual races, including the big 1500m Cup final.
To see camels lumbering down the racetrack amid a cloud of red dust has become a quintessential outback experience, Shelley said.
“Throw in a live band, children’s program, fireworks and a street party, and the whole event makes for an impressive four-day outback adventure, to be enjoyed by all members of the family.”
The town of Boulia sits west of Winton, right out on the edge of the Simpson Desert, and is called home by 230 residents.
“Our population explodes a bit during the races, when a few thousand extra people make Boulia their home,” said Shelley.
“The atmosphere is really friendly and it’s pretty common for people to make new friends, as they share a campfire or a neighbouring campsite, and in the end they are vowing to meet again next year.
“The races are the high point of our tourist season here in Boulia, so we open up camping onsite at the racecourse for 13 days to make sure there is a spot for every traveller to join in the fun.
“There’s still plenty of mystery around the legend of the Min Min Light, but it’s no mystery to us why the crowds keep coming back here for the races – because we welcome visitors like new locals.”