7 tips to plan your ultimate trip to Boulia Camel Races
If you haven’t finished planning your Outback adventure for the year, you won’t want to miss heading out to Boulia for the Boulia Camel Races! The ‘Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing’ is back again, bringing camel races, nightly campfires, free camping, live entertainment and more to town for one weekend only. Make sure you’re ready for all the trackside action in Boulia this 12th – 14th July, 2024.
1. Arrive early to snag your prime camping (& camp fire!) spot
Camping at the Boulia Camel Races is free with your weekend event ticket! Sites aren’t allocated so make sure you get down to Boulia early to snag your favourite spot to call home for up to 10 nights of included camping. There’s no need to do a camel sprint though – there’s plenty of space for everyone. Pitch up your tent and set up your camp fire to kick back with your mates until the small hours after a full day’s fun at the races!
2. Join the novelty races down at the track
While they’re the start of the show, it’s not just about the camels – join in the racing action with novelty ‘people’ races happening between the camels all weekend long. Kicking off with the Great Australian Ride-on Lawnmower Race on Friday evening, race favourites The Crack-up Sisters will be leading tug-o-war, sack races and a whole host of other crazy challenges for the whole family to join in on.
3. Tag a camel
The crowd favourite off the racetrack? Camel Tagging. Whether you want to try your hand at tagging yourself a camel or want to get some laughs at those who are, you won’t want to miss this. The aim of the game is to ‘tag’ a camel with a piece of duct tape and then retrieve it in the fastest time. Trying not to be outwitted and out-sped by a camel is no mean feat, and great entertainment for those cheering on!
4. Soak up the family friendly carnival atmosphere
Boulia Camel Races is an event for the whole family, so bring the kids along and enjoy the fun! Purchase an armband for unlimited children’s amusements all weekend long, soak up the camel love with a camel ride (and if you’re lucky maybe even a camel kiss!), and stick around for the evening fireworks show on Saturday!
5. Get yourself trackside for all the camel action
The main event of the weekend – the camel races of course! When you see the camels hurtling down the racetrack you’ll understand why this is the race that stops the Channel Country. Saturday’s heats start with 400m races, progressing to 1000m heats by the afternoon. You’ll have to hold out until Sunday for the finals, run over 1500m – Australia’s longest camel race. But don’t expect these races to always run smoothly. Waking up on the wrong side of the stable can cause mid-race camel tantrums and all kinds of antics on the tracks!
6. Kick up a dust storm on the dance floor
If you think the action stops at the camels you’d be wise to think again. Live entertainment is scheduled till late across the weekend, so dust off those dancing boots and get ready to enjoy the best live music country QLD has to offer.
7. Bump out your Outback itinerary to extend your stay!
There’s no end of events and activities going on in the Outback over the month, so whether you’re coming up from Birdsville, down from Mt Isa or all the way out from Brissie, there’s plenty on to make it a true Aussie Outback adventure! If you’re hanging around Boulia keep your eyes open for the Min Min lights or head to the Min Min Encounter and Boulia Visitor Information Centre to learn all about this local folklore legend. Don’t miss the Boulia Dinosaurs either – wonderfully detailed fossils of Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs and others can be found at Bouli Marine Reptile Fossil Display. While you’re there pop by to say hi to ‘Percy’, Boulia’s own Loch Ness Monster! Make sure you check out even more activities to do in Boulia here.
Getting There
Located in the heart of Queensland’s Outback, the trip to Boulia promises to be an adventure. Boulia is 303km from Mt Isa, 383km from Birdsville, and 536km from Longreach. Flights from Brisbane, Cairns or Townsville can get you as far as Mount Isa, or the Rex ‘milk run’ flights can get you direct from Brisbane to Boulia on Tuesday & Friday.
For tickets, camping info and travel itineraries visit www.bouliacamelraces.com.au.
