Outback Queensland presents Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina

  • Camel_train,_Birdsville_QLD Photographer Brett Stanley
  • BOULIA Beaver (jockey) on Dolly (camel from Anna Bay NSW)
  • IMG_3578
1 / 3
Edited by Travel Weekly


Adventure seekers can set their sights on Outback Queensland with the month-long Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail – The Diamantina festival is set for 5 to 26 July.

Whether cheering on the camels, dancing under the stunning desert sky, kicking up red dust, or soaking up the rich cameleer history, there’s something for every traveller on this bucket-list travel adventure.

The month-long trail is set to become a cornerstone of sustainable tourism in Outback Queensland, drawing visitors to multiple iconic towns, and features two new outback events in the Betoota Desert Outback Muster and the Birdsville Camel Carnival.

The newly created Birdsville Camel Carnival is supported by the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland. From 8 to 10 July, this inaugural event in Birdsville becomes a central part of the larger Outback Camel Trail.

The Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail

Jundah Camel Races – 5 July
Kicking off the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail, the Jundah Camel Races bring high-energy racing, vibrant community markets, and family-friendly entertainment to the heart of Outback Queensland.

Set against the stunning backdrop of this picturesque township, the event offers visitors an authentic taste of Outback spirit, complete with local food, country hospitality, and a festival atmosphere.

Betoota Desert Outback Muster – 5 to 7 July
A new multi day event celebrating music, mateship and the Outback spirit set against the iconic Betoota Hotel. Gather the crew, giddyup and hit the road, and experience Betoota’s legendary hospitality!

New Birdsville Camel Carnival – 8 to 10 July
Experience Birdsville like never before at the inaugural Birdsville Camel Carnival, a spectacular new event celebrating the town’s deep-rooted cameleer heritage and Outback spirit, combining camel-inspired attractions, captivating storytelling, vibrant local markets, and incredible live music, all set against the legendary backdrop of Birdsville.

  • Evening concerts featuring headline acts at the Birdsville Hotel
  • Camel rides and cameleer history celebrating the region’s unique heritage
  • Entertainment by the Crack-up Sisters, pig races, and acoustic performances
  • Queensland artisan markets, showcasing local makers, including the Birdsville Bakery’s Camel Pies

“Birdsville’s newest cultural event is presented alongside the John Williamson Big Red Sunset Concert, offering outback audiences a wealth of arts activity across several days,” Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek, said. “The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Diamantina Shire Council to present the authentic Carnival experience, set to drive cultural tourism, employment opportunities for artists and arts workers, and economic outcomes for the Birdsville community.”

Bedourie Camel Races – 12 July
Known as the “Town of Sand and Sun,” Bedourie hosts a famous day of existing camel racing paired with family-friendly activities and local food stalls, showcasing the hospitality of the Diamantina Shire, in the iconic red dirt of the Queensland Outback. Mark your calendar for a day of racing, fun, and Outback adventure!

Boulia Camel Races – 18 to 20 July
As the “Melbourne Cup of Camel Racing”, the Boulia Camel Races are the pinnacle of the trail. This three-day event draws thousands for high-stakes racing, entertainment, and a true festival atmosphere.

Australia’s Richest Camel Races, Boulia Camel Races, is the ultimate showdown on the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail. With fast-paced action, family-friendly fun, and unbeatable Outback hospitality, this is one of Australia’s most iconic racing events.

The big finale – The Better Beer Cup is Australia’s most prestigious camel race win, being the longest and the richest in Australia!

Winton Camel Races – 26 July
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 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.

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]