FOR most of the year residents of Julia Creek, a town in mid-northern Queensland with a modest population of about 300, lead a fairly ordered outback life.
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But all that changes in early April and it wouldn’t be rash to say that for a weekend things in Julia Creek go more than little bit whacky.
The Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival celebrates its 23rd year in 2017 with an invitation to get down ‘n’ dirty from April 7 to 9.
The town, 664 kilometres west of Townsville on the way to Mount Isa on the Flinders Highway, is expected to swell to several thousand, with visitors arriving from all over Australia for an outback experience like no other.
For example, there’s the best butt competition – all clean good fun – as butts of all ages put on their tightest jeans and shake their booty to the approval of the crowd; or bog snorkelling – good but definitely not clean fun.
There’s horse racing and yabbie racing, professional bull riding and country music from some of Australia’s top musicians, who this year include James Blundell.
One of the highlights of the festival is the annual triathlon, which features an 800-metre creek swim, a 25-kilometre bike ride on the highway and a five-kilometre run around the town.
There’s plenty of accommodation, with a tent city being established for the weekend and plenty to do in the region both before and after the festival.
This article first appeared on thesenior.com.au
