How to make Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival the outback adventure of a lifetime

If there was ever a festival that embodied the outback spirit, Julia Creek Dirt n Dust would be it. Serious competition – but without taking things too seriously. A little bit cheeky, and a lot of laughs.

Over 27 years, the annual festival has become a highlight on Outback Queensland’s event calendar – and a big deal for the 549 residents of Julia Creek, an outback town some 650km west of Townsville, who welcome thousands to their vast neck of the woods for a few days of fun and fierce action.

This year’s event will return from 11 –13 April 2025. Get ready to test your limits with the new Dirt n Dust Adventure Race, scrub up for Fashions on the Field at the Artesian Express Race Day, and get your heart pumping with nightly rodeo and live entertainment. 

Julia Creek accommodation

Want to know where to stay for the festival? If you’re seeking Julia Creek hotel accommodation, make your plans quickly as it tends to book out well in advance.   

The options are greater for those who prefer to admire star-studded skies while pitching a tent or BYO caravan.

Festival camping passes make things simple for event attendees. Located at McIntyre Park, next to the Julia Creek Turf Club, Dirt n Dust has a limited number of powered sites available. The campground is walking distance to all the festival action, however keep in mind pets are not allowed here.

Those with pets or who prefer more flexibility should check out Julia Creek free camping, down by the creek. There are no amenities available here, so this is best suited to self-servicing RVs only.

For the chance to soak under the outback sky, reserve your spot at Julia Creek Caravan Park. This spot has become a popular detour on road trips for van-lifers and grey nomads alike, in part thanks to the soothing artesian baths with the best outback views going. Just what’s needed to relax sore muscles after an endurance run through mud.

Of course, if you want to do the red-dirt commute to Julia Creek, base yourself at a caravan park in Cloncurry or in Mount Isa, which has its fair share of hotel accommodation. 

Things to do in Julia Creek

The action of Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival will keep you more than occupied, but don’t forget to check out what else this little town has to offer visitors. A few of our favourites:

• Meet resident dunnarts – endangered nocturnal marsupials – called Donald and Duncan at At The Creek visitors centre, while learning the story of Julia Creek’s fascinating past
• Splash at the local water park
• Uncover history at Julia Creek’s Opera House
• Soak in a private artesian bath
• Discover local murals while wandering around town
• Watch for wildlife on an early morning or late afternoon stroll along the 7km nature trail, located behind Julia Creek Caravan Park. Kangaroos, emus, lizards and brolgas are among the locals you might see. 

How to get to Julia Creek

No matter how you get to Julia Creek, you’ll be getting off the beaten track.

The easiest way for those shorter on time is to fly to Mount Isa, then rent a car for the three hour drive to Julia Creek. Quick, direct flights are available from Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns, with easy connections to other cities – and there’s something rather awe-inspiring about seeing the outback from above, taking in the vast sunburnt land at scale.

Up for a truly unique adventure? Turn Julia Creek Dirt n Dust into an opportunity to explore Outback Queensland on a road trip for the ages. There are a number of routes you can take – so chart your own course based on what you’d like to experience. Drive Overlander’s Way from Townsville to take in big landscapes, pioneer history and dig for dinosaur bones, or spend a week traversing country highways from Brisbane along Matilda Way to discover the heart of the outback in towns including Longreach, Charleville and Winton.

Plan your trip to the outback with this helpful guide. First time driving in the outback? Read these tips. 

Your Julia Creek Dirt n Dust itinerary: part festival, part adventure

You can’t venture this far without seeing some of Queensland’s biggest sights – or taking a little time to get under its red-dirt skin to understand why the outback spirit is such a huge part of Queensland’s story.

Attending Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival is the perfect opportunity to explore more – incorporate this itinerary into the beginning or end of your trip for the ultimate outback adventure.

Day 1: Arrive in Mount Isa and start exploring

Mount Isa is most commonly associated with two things: mining, and one hell-of-a rodeo (the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest, in fact). But there’s plenty to uncover in this outback city. With just a day to explore as much as possible, use this guide – but be sure to book a spot on the Hard Times Mine Underground Tour, a truly unique way to hear first-hand stories by an ex-Isa miner who'll be your tour guide.

Sunset is best taken in from the shores of nearby Lake Moondarra, while the locals will hook you up with where to dine and where to stay tonight.

Day 2

AM: Make your way to Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival

Just over an hour into your drive to Julia Creek, stop and stretch your legs in Cloncurry – known as the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service in 1928.

Learn about the town’s history at Cloncurry Unearthed Museum, check out an outstanding piece of silo art at the Cloncurry Water Tank, and cool off with a swim in Chinaman Creek Dam. It’ll soon be time to head further down the road – you have somewhere to be. 

PM: Catch the action of rodeo and rock music

Festival gates swing open from 4.30pm and so does the entertainment, with country star Leigha Moore heating up Dirt n Dust Central. At 5.30pm, the rodeo kicks off its first night with Junior Mini Bulls (riders aged 9-12 years) and the open saddle bronc.

Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Rodeo is notorious for being one of Australia’s toughest – and attracts the toughest competitors who risk it all to try to hold on for eight long, bone-shaking seconds. After the rodeo, meet your mates on the dance floor - live music and DJs rock the main stage until late.

Day 3

AM: Get down and dirty

The most action-packed day of Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival has arrived: be prepared to kick off early and kick on well into the night.

Your call time for the dirtiest run in the outback is 7.30am, so gear up and get ready for mud and mayhem. 2024’s race is looking to be the wildest, dirtiest Adventure Run yet, a challenge for endurance, strength, balance and more thanks to a range of obstacles to tackle along the course.

You must register ahead of time to join the race, choosing between 5km, 10km and 15km distances (there’s 1km and 5km races for the kids, too).

Post-run, freshen up and don your glad rags for the Artesian Express Race Day at Julia Creek Turf Club. A highlight in the country racing calendar, there’s action on and off the track. This year’s Fashion on the Fields theme is ‘East meets North West’ championing earthy tones, Moroccan jewels and designs inspired by the desert – while attendees can buy tickets to premium Trackside Tastes, a cocktail-style luncheon complete with canapes, casino games and mixologists shaking up cocktails.  

PM: Party into the night at Dirt n Dust Central

As the suns sets, Dirt n Dust Central comes into its own for night two. The rodeo returns for an exciting night of bull riding and all the action of the finals, while the hilarious search for Australia’s Best Butt takes the stage… all in good fun.

Live music and DJ sets continue into the night, and so should you. 

Day 4: Depart Julia Creek for Boodjamulla National Park (currently closed)

Join your new friends for one last meal together – the event’s BBQ Recovery Breakfast – then hit the road. It’s a long six hour drive to today’s destination – one of the wonders of North West Queensland.  

The drive will keep you more than occupied as you navigate big sky country and country roads peppered with windmills and cattle. Stop as often as you like for photos, and for a beer and pub meal at Gregory Downs Hotel, before you arrive at an outback oasis Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park (currently closed).

Those camping ‘off the grid’ may choose to book a campsite within the national park campground, but for a beautiful sense of community among nature’s looming presence, make your base at Wugudaji Adels Grove which is home to campgrounds, ensuite cabins and bunkhouse-style accommodation (with air conditioning). It’s also a hive of activity – with tour desk onsite, canoe hire, plus swimming spots – the ultimate way to shake off travel-day legs and feel revived by nature.

Day 5: Explore the national park

Get ready for an adventurous day as you explore Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill Gorge) from all angles.

If you’re staying at Wugudaji Adels Grove, bus trips into the Gorge depart hourly - just book a ticket at the tour desk. 

Lace up your hiking boots then follow the tracks along the escarpment for iconic views of Boodjamulla’s emerald waterway cutting through the ancient landscape. Trails range from an easy 600m walk to a 7km return hike, but offer a variety of views around the gorge and brushes with the bush. Choose your own adventure, but bring plenty of drinking water.

Then, take to the water itself. It’s an incredible contrast to descend below to the winding river, with massive red rock towering above. Wugudaji Adels Grove offers two different ways to get out on the water: onboard a solar powered pontoon boat (1-hour or 2-hour tours available), or by your own paddle-power instead - simply rent canoes from the tour desk.

Once you’re ready to slow down, head back to base to cool off in the swimming hole then recount the day’s adventures with new friends around a campfire at night.

Caught the outback spirit? Mark your calendar for these incredible outback events:

• Mount Isa Rodeo
• Birdsville Races
  
• Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, Winton
• Outback Queensland Masters

Read all about them here.