Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival

Julia Creek, a small Outback town in North Queensland, is about as far into the middle of nowhere as you could get. It is home to blinding sunlight, harsh winds, a muddy creek, and just 400 thick-skinned locals. This has made it the perfect destination for the dirtiest, dustiest, most challenging Festival you will find in Australia – the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival.

In 1994, the first Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Triathlon was held, with just 15 athletes up to the challenge of competing in the event. However, over the years, the legacy has grown, the challenge has been set, and the bar has been raised- and Julia Creek is now bombarded every year by those keen to prove their courage - or insanity - in the Cannington Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Triathlon, the Dirt n Dust Festival’s main drawcard.

Although it isn’t the longest triathlon in Australia, past competitors do say that it is the toughest sprint triathlon they have experienced. Starting with an 800m swim through muddy water and thick reeds, participants continue on to a 25km bike ride into a strong headwind, taking them back into town where the 5km run begins and ends. With temperatures close to 40 degrees, the bitumen is hot, the creek water is warm, and the wind pushes you backwards – draining you mentally as well as physically.

More than 400 competitors converge on Julia Creek for the triathlon on the Saturday morning, doubling the population of the town, before spending the rest of the weekend putting their feet up or going wild. After the Dirt n Dust Triathlon, the Turf Club is packed for the annual BHP Billiton Artesian Express- the race that stops a road train. It is an event closely related to the Melbourne Cup, with the ladies frocked up for fashions on the field and the horses hammering around the track- except this race has spectators in their finest akubras, and the dust of the track makes for a much more impressive show than the manicured grass of Flemington as it billows out from behind the flying fillies.

Dirt n Dust Central is the place to be from sunset onwards - with showstopping live music, before the Dirt n Dust Bullride sanctioned by PBR gets underway. It is a Bullride like no other, for only Australia’s gutsiest riders and biggest, toughest bulls. There are no time outs, no towels to throw in - once they’re on the back of the steed, there’s nothing to do but try and hold on for eight bone - shaking, desperate seconds. This is only the start of the night, with live music and family entertainment continued on afterwards, as well as the finals of Australia’s Best Butt Competition - where guys and girls alike pull on their tightest jeans, perk their cheeks up, and vie for the crowd’s approval of their behind.

Winding down on Sunday morning is easy, as Julia Creek puts on a beautiful outback breakfast and hosts novelty events where, contrary to the Triathlon, competitors require a tough stomach rather than a tough spirit to get through events like cow pat throwing, fly swatting, and the infamous bog snorkelling.

Add athletes, triathlon spectators, Race Day punters and Bullride enthusiasts into the mix and you have over 4,000 people in the town of 400. With equal parts city slickers and country folk, from neighbouring towns and cities further afield taking part, the Dirt n Dust Festival really is an event like no other.

The Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival is a unique event, setting a good challenge for athletes, a good time for families, and a good laugh for spectators.

The 22nd annual Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival will be held from Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9, 2017. For more information and tickets, go to www.dirtndust.com.

GETTING THERE
DRIVE along the Overlander’s Way, 8hrs West of Townsville or 2hrs East of Mount Isa
FLY from Townsville or Mount Isa via Rex Airlines