Recently reopened roads have successfully attracted visitors to Jundah for the inaugural camel race of the Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail.
For Emily Parrott, the victor of the Jundah Cup, the primary goal is to instill joy and excitement within outback communities.
The event organizers are optimistic that the camel racing series will continue to draw essential crowds, with three additional races scheduled for Bedourie, Boulia, and Winton before the month concludes.
Jake Callaghan, who had no prior experience in camel riding, was pleasantly surprised when he received an invitation to act as a camel jockey. “A friend called and asked if I wanted to give it a try. I couldn’t resist the chance,” he shared.
The 30-year-old musterer participated in the Jundah Camel Races, the opening event of the annual Outback Camel Trail, over the weekend. “I was unsure what to expect during the first race, but once I got the hang of it, I just went with it and followed the camel’s ears, and it guided me to the finish,” he explained.
It is a common phrase among camel jockeys to “follow its ears.” As the starter’s gun fired and with no reins available, the camels raced down the track, driven solely by their instinct to return to their stables for food.
The small jockey saddles are placed directly behind the camel’s hump, with jockeys adopting a crouched position while their feet rest in the stirrups during the race.
Mr. Callaghan adapted quickly, achieving a win, a second place finish, and three third places. “It’s challenging to gauge your speed,” he noted. “There are only four camels in each race, but they move along quite well.”
Fellow competitor Kyrraley Woodhouse, hailing from Boulia, estimated that the camels can reach speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour. With 13 years of camel riding experience, she was excited to introduce two new camels, Raygun and The Clown, to the racing circuit this year.
Raygun finished second in the Jundah Cup, just behind seasoned Newcastle jockey Emily Parrott and her veteran racer, Polished Copper. “I’m thrilled with our camel Polished Copper; he always performs well,” Ms. Parrott expressed.
The month-long Desert Champions Way: Outback Camel Trail kicks off in Jundah, proceeding to Bedourie on July 11, then Boulia from July 17-19—where the 1,500-meter sprint is recognized as Australia’s longest camel race—before concluding in Winton on July 25.
Despite adverse road and weather conditions following recent rain, around 300 people attended the Jundah event, with some roads reopening just the day before the races.
Dan Pitman, president of the Jundah Camel Races, expressed satisfaction with the turnout. Local residents worked diligently to prepare the track after the rains, with volunteers dedicating three days to pump water off the track, add extra soil, and smooth the surface.
Mr. Pitman remarked, “It’s beneficial for us because we experience many more quiet periods than busy ones. Having tourists visit is great; they often stay a few days and spend money in local shops and pubs, which is excellent for Jundah.”
For Emily Parrott, the objective extends beyond racing; it’s about injecting fun into outback towns that are struggling to attract visitors this tourist season. “The whole idea is to draw a different clientele to these areas,” she stated. “It’s a valuable boost for tourism in these towns.”
She encouraged more travelers to venture westward to experience the unique atmosphere of camel racing. “Be prepared for a good time—place your bets on the bar rather than the camels; it’s a safer wager. And expect to make new friends who offer diverse perspectives on life that you’ll truly enjoy,” she added.
