The tiny town of Julia Creek in Outback Queensland is calling all friends, family, runners, rodeo riders, jockeys and visitors ready to kick up the dirt for their famous DirtNDust Festival, with accommodation filled to the brim and a packed program of righteous fun!

“We’re calling all to join us for the 2023 Festival, kicking off from the 21st to 23^rd April,” invites Festival President, Sheree Pratt of Julia Creek. “We take great joy welcoming all to our town and sharing the spirit of the DirtNDust Festival.”

Living up to its reputation, an anticipated crowd of over 2,000 people are set to descend on this town of less than 400 people next weekend, with organisers guaranteeing visitors a fun filled weekend of dirt and dust.

“With all our accommodation at capacity we’ve just released new Glamping tents to the festival this year, plus camping onsite between the festival grounds and racetrack” explains Sheree.

“We have literally hundreds of competitors from social and serious runners in the South 32 Adventure Run, cowboys from juniors to elite vying for a record in the DirtNDust Rodeo, to jockeys and punters donning their best dressed at the Artesian Express Horse Race.”

“One of the absolute funniest events of the festival would have to be Australia’s Best Butt competition. Literally anyone can compete, and we have heats on the Friday night with the crowing of Australia’s Best Butt on the Saturday night. It’s all in good fun. Having as much fun as you can with your clothes on!” chuckles Sheree.

“To top off each night we have a line up of Australian and emerging performers in our concert series, including Route 33, Zac & George, Leigha Moore and Dee Jaye Bux to help us kick up the dirt into the early hours!”

“So answer the call and join us in Julia Creek,” says Sheree. “What are you waiting for?”

SOME FUN FACTS

750+ burgers, 5,000+ beers are expected to be sold, 60 rodeo cowboys, 60+ runners, with a bonus 98 flies and 100g of mud per visitor!

DID YOU KNOW?

Australia’s Best Butt Origins

It all started when a power outage happened during a live Mental As Anything set at the Julia Creek DirtNDust Festival. Instead of panic, someone had the bright idea of grabbing a torch and starting a dance competition… and so began one of the toughest events over the DirtNDust weekend – Australia’s Best Butt!

Julia Creek DirtNDust Festival origin dates back twenty-eight years ago to 1994 and began, like all good outback tales, at the bar in the Julia Creek Town and Country Club. A conversation was held between locals as to how they could get Julia Creek on the map and bring the community together.

The group decided on an event that would incorporate the harsh outback surroundings, during a time that visitors didn’t traditionally visit Outback Queensland. A triathlon would be staged over a weekend featuring a bull ride and live music. Today the program includes a rodeo, adventure run, horse racing, live concerts under the stars, and an ever expanding camp ground.

2023 JULIA CREEK DIRTNDUST FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Get the full lowdown www.dirtndust.com

The Dirt n Dust Festival is staged in the rural town of Julia Creek, 646 kilometres west of Townsville along the Overlanders Way, and an adventurous seventeen and a half hour road trip (1,628km) north west of Brisbane.

The Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.