While rugby league, rodeo and cricket might dominate local sporting conversations, there’s another unique sport preparing to thunder across the Queensland Outback this July — camel racing.
The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail returns throughout July, linking five major events across Jundah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Winton. Together, the races create one of Australia’s most unusual sporting circuits, attracting competitors and spectators from across the country.
Unlike horse racing, most racing camels were not bred for the sport. Many began life as wild camels roaming Outback Queensland, which is home to one of the world’s largest feral camel populations. Trainers select suitable animals and spend months preparing them for the winter racing season.
“It’s an ancient sport, and our camels genuinely love what they do,” said cameleer and jockey Emily Parrott.
The trail begins with the Jundah Camel Races on July 3-4 before moving to the Birdsville Carnival on July 8-9 and the Bedourie Camel and Pig Races on July 11.
For many racing fans, the highlight is the famous Boulia Camel Races from July 17-19, often described as the “Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing”. The event attracts competitors and spectators from across Australia and features the spectacular 1200-metre Camel Cup alongside lawn mower races, truck pulls, yabby sprints and live entertainment.
The final stop is the Winton Camel Races on July 25, cobining racing action with the town’s rich storytelling, arts and music traditions.
For Bundaberg residents considering a winter road trip, the camel trail offers a chance to experience a side of Queensland many never see. From the red dirt of Jundah to the famous Birdsville Pub and the legendary Boulia racetrack, the month-long series showcases the communities, characters and sporting traditions that make Outback Queensland unique.
It might not rival the State of Origin for television ratings, but when it comes to unforgettable sporting experiences, camel racing remains one of Queensland’s most iconic and unique sporting events.
(Image credit to Matt Williams Photography)
Published July 2026. Chitchat Newspaper.