Fresh from the outback racing circuit, camel racing teams will descend on Tara on the Western Downs for the cultural extravaganza that is the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races from August 2 to 4.
While the $30,000 prize money means this event is serious racing business, the camel trainers and jockeys admit they also feel compelled to join in the non-stop festivities happening around them. Only once every two years an authentic camel race meet comes to South East Queensland and it is cause for a population explosion, with almost 2000 festival camp sites popping up.
Organisers have announced leading Australian country group The McClymonts will be headlining on Saturday night. Sisters Brooke, Sam and Mollie McClymont are one of the most exciting touring acts in Australian country music currently. Also appearing on the action packed program will be the Showtime FMX bikes, cultural dancers, camp oven cooking, whip cracking, sheep shearing, markets and kids amusements.
Festival President Linda Petersen said, “It’s almost unreal the variety of what our visitors experience all in one spot. One minute you can be watching the camels hurtling down the track and you turn around to see there’s a yabby race on, Bollywood dancers on stage and multicultural food just everywhere.”
New in 2019 are Tent and Ticket packages making camping even easier, with walk-in ready tents complete with bedding. Festival coach packages ex Gold Coast, Brisbane or Toowoomba, two nights stay and two days of festival fun for $380 per person twin share. Three-day Festival Pass $35 adult/ $70 family. Tickets and Information at the website.
