Key Facts:
It's WORLD CAMEL DAY!!!
TODAY is World Camel Day
AND THE WORLD'S WEIRDEST ATHLETES ARE HEADED TO OUTBACK QUEENSLAND
Australians are invited to celebrate the remarkable animals that helped shape the Outback and start
planning their own red-dirt adventure along the
Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail
TODAY June 22 is World Camel Day, and there's never been a better time to celebrate these incredible desert legends and the Outback communities that keep them racing towards history.
Camels were once the backbone of Outback Australia, bringing supplies, stories and resilience to some of the country's most remote places. Today, they're the stars of the new Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail — five epic camel centric events across five legendary towns over four huge weekends, taking place from July 3 to 25. Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina
From Jundah to Birdsville, Bedourie to Boulia, and Winton, the Outback is about to come alive with colour, music, markets, local storytelling and, of course, the thrilling spectacle of camel racing. It's the kind of adventure that puts the "hell yeah" in your bucket list.
Camels are incredible survivors. They can drink up to 200 litres of water in a single go, have three eyelids and two rows of eyelashes, can run up to 65 km/h, and they've helped shape the history of the Outback. World Camel Day is the perfect time to shine a light on these desert heroes and the communities that celebrate them.
The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail is a road-tripping, town-hopping celebration of Outback spirit and camels, with unforgettable experiences at every stop. Expect cameleer history, legendary Outback pubs, amazing red dirt races, 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, dancing under the stars in Birdsville, watching the Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing in Boulia, or soaking up Outback storytelling in Winton, the Desert Champions Way invites Aussies to explore a rare side of the desert — when it comes spectacularly to life.
The trail of FIVE EPIC EVENTS is a cornerstone of sustainable tourism in Outback Queensland, drawing visitors to multiple iconic towns. So, this World Camel Day, raise a toast - or a camelcino - to these remarkable creatures — and get ready to experience the Outback in all its glory from July 5 to 26.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?
Newcastle-based camels Polished Copper and Geoffrey shared the ultimate Camel of the Trail honours. The two are back under the saddle and heading deep into Outback Queensland to defend their titles, and they're bringing three debutants with them - Stormin Gorman, Beatie and Turbo Timmy! The Newcastle camel squad will be joined by camel racers from throughout Outback Queensland, so anything could happen, on the racetrack, and off!
FUN FACTS ABOUT CAMELS
- Camels have THREE eyelids and two rows of eyelashes to protect their eyes from desert sand. Perfect for Outback Queensland dust storms too.
- They're surprisingly quick and can reach speeds of up to 65km/h in short bursts and comfortably cruise at 40km/h.
- They can drink an entire bathtub of water, up to 100 litres of water in around 10 minutes after long periods without a drink.
- They don't store water in their humps; it's one of the biggest myths! Their humps actually store fat, which can be converted into energy when food is scarce.
- They're built for endurance and can carry heavy loads and travel vast distances through harsh environments, which is exactly why they were brought to Australia in the 1800s.
- They don't really spit, they're actually regurgitating stomach contents when annoyed!
- Australia has the world's largest population of wild camels anywhere on Earth, with estimates ranging into the hundreds of thousands.
AND
- Outback Queensland is one of the world's great camel-racing destinations. The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail links five iconic towns — Jundah, Birdsville, Bedourie, Boulia and Winton — across a month-long celebration of racing, music, storytelling and community.
- Boulia hosts the "Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing" – it attracts thousands of visitors every year and features Australia's longest camel race at 1500 metres.
- The Trail spans some of Australia's most iconic landscapes - the Channel Country, Simpson Desert country, historic pubs and legendary outback communities.
The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail:
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
