July 3 to 25
There's just one week to go until the red Outback Queensland dirt starts flying and the Desert Champions Way Outback Camel Trail begins – from Jundah to Birdsville, Bedourie to Boulia and Winton, the month-long celebration (July 3–25) transforms the region into a rolling festival of dust, camel power and desert theatre, where camel racing meets bucket-list tourism.
The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail is a road-tripping, town-hopping celebration of Outback spirit, with unforgettable experiences at every stop. Expect cameleer history, legendary Outback pubs, camel pies, stargazing nights, and a once-in-a-decade canvas of blooming desert flowers, thanks to the region's recent rains. Whether you're cheering on racing camels in Jundah, betting on Polished Copper (!), dancing under the stars in Birdsville, watching the Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing in Boulia, or soaking up Outback storytelling in Winton, the message is clear – THE OUTBACK IS OPEN!
Polished Copper and Geoffrey – the two champions from last year - are back under the saddle and heading out to defend their titles in one of Australia's most extraordinary sporting spectacles. With them is their cameleer and jockey Emily Parrott, a second-generation camel racer who has spent her life in the sport and is now leading her pack 4,000km from Newcastle into Queensland's Outback heartland.
Whether it's cheering on camels in Jundah, experiencing the "Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing" in Boulia, dancing under the stars in Birdsville, or soaking up storytelling in Winton, the message is simple:
The Outback is open — and it's racing.
The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail:
Let the camel mayhem continue in 2026!
Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina
Jundah Camel Races – July 3 & 4, 2026:
Kicking off the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail, the Jundah Camel Races
