Rival camel champions set for a red-dirt rematch across Outback Queensland… and the female cameleer traveling 4,000km with them!
Polished Copper and Geoffrey are back under the saddle and heading deep into Outback Queensland to defend their titles in one of Australia’s most extraordinary sporting spectacles, and they’re bringing three debutants with them - Stormin Gorman, Beatie and Turbo Timmy!
The camel racing rivals from Newcastle will once again go head-to-head as the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail returns, a desert carnival of racing, storytelling, music, and community across some of the country’s most iconic outback towns. 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.
Last year’s fiercely contested Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail saw Copper and Geoffrey share the ultimate Camel of the Trail honours. This year, the camel stablemate rivalry is back on! The Newcastle camel squad will be joined by camel racers from throughout Outback Queensland, so anything could happen, on the racetrack, and off!
At the heart of the action is cameleer and camel jockey Emily Parrott, a second-generation camel racer who has spent her life in the sport and is now leading her camel pack 4,000km from Newcastle through South Australia and into Queensland’s Outback heartland. Raised at her family’s Oakfield Ranch, Parrott has been racing camels since she was 14 and now brings her own children, Cooper (7) and Abby (11), into the tradition, marking a third generation of cameleers on the trail.
“It’s an ancient sport, and our camels genuinely love what they do,” Parrott said. “Polished Copper is the one to watch again this year, he’s in great form and really powering on.” While she jokes about her “elegant dismounts” over the years, Parrott says camel racing is simply in her blood, and she like her camels, just loves it!
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!
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 has added a day because one just wasn’t enough!! Joining the camel races will be sheep racing, working dog jumping, sheep penning on the Friday night, live entertainment and FREE CAMPING! This little Outback town with a big heart is home to incredible hospitality, great fishing, bird watching, sightseeing, swimming, canoeing, and boasts spectacular sunrises and sunsets! Follow (20+) Facebook for more
Birdsville Carnival – July 8 & 9, 2026:
The Birdsville Carnival is a spectacular new event celebrating the town’s deep-rooted history and Outback spirit, with live music celebrations at the legendary Birdsville Pub, Outback flavours at the renowned Birdsville Bakery (Camel Pie is a must taste!), family-friendly entertainment, and open-air film screenings under the stars. All information HERE
Bedourie Camel & Pig Races – July 11, 2026:
Known as the "Town of Sand and Sun” – welcome to Bedourie where - and only in Outback Queensland – fans will experiences the thrill of camel racing, the hilarity of pig racing, and a whole variety of novelty events that make for bucket list memories! There’s food stalls and all the country hospitality this little town is famous for.
Boulia Camel Races – July 17–19, 2026:
Australia’s legendary and iconic Outback event is back, the Boulia Camel Races, aka the Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing. This is where horsepower steps aside and hump-power takes over. Experience on Saturday and Sunday camels thundering down the track in the epic 1200m Camel Cup, lawn mower races, boots & jock races, truck pull, camel tagging, yabby sprints, kids races, amusement rides and plenty of laughs, with live music under the stars Friday and Saturday nights. For tickets and more info visit www.bouliacamelraces.com.au
Winton Camel Races – July 25, 2026:
The finale of the trail takes place the legendary town of Winton, where visitors can enjoy camel racing alongside the town’s vibrant arts and music scene, including nods to its strong ties to Outback storytelling and history. The famed Crack Up Sisters will take the entertainment rein. The birthplace of Banjo Paterson’s "Waltzing Matilda", Winton hosts more than just a race—it's a celebration of Outback history, culture, and community spirit.
A Celebration of Outback Queensland The Outback Camel Racing Trail, supported by the Outback Queensland Tourism Association and local councils, is designed to enhance cultural tourism across the region. It aligns with the Diamantina Shire’s tourism strategy to expand arts and cultural events that highlight the region’s distinct identity while fostering sustainable economic growth.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A Celebration of Outback Queensland The Desert Champions Way, produced by Diamantina Shire Council and supported by the Tourism and Events Queensland , Outback Queensland Tourism Association, is designed to enhance cultural tourism across the region. It aligns with the Diamantina Shire’s tourism strategy to expand arts and cultural events that highlight the region’s distinct identity while fostering sustainable economic growth.
Contact details:
Kath Rose | 0416 291 493 | [email protected]