Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival is delivering on its promise to be bigger and better with a 20 per cent increase in this year’s registrations.
With only seven days left to register competitors are flocking to secure their spot in Australia’s toughest tri for the iconic outback weekend.
The overwhelming response to this year’s registration means there is every chance that organisers may have to consider closing registrations early to cap competitor numbers.
“It’s been such a phenomenal response, we’re really grateful that people are so excited for this years event,” said president of Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival Committee Stephen Malone.
“The more the merrier out here but we may also have to close regos earlier than expected,” he said.
“This really is a bucket list event, you can’t find anything like this anywhere else. It’s one of a kind.
“So we just encourage everyone who might want to come and compete to get in now! It’s filling up fast.”
Organisers are expecting more than 3,000 attendees at this years event and are looking forward to welcoming people from across Australia.
Word has spread about the incredible weekend with competitors travelling across Queensland as well as the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and even Victoria.
Currently the furthest travelling competitor, Anthony Cole, is journeying more than 2000 kilometres across three states.
“We just put the bike in the back seat and drive through the days so we can avoid any run ins with roos at night,” Mr Cole said,
“It’s a nice pleasant trip.”
Mr Cole said it’s the unique atmosphere and experiences that encourage him to travel that incredible distance.
“It’s quite unique, to get to come back home after it’s done and tell people the stories. Like the waterhole, it really is a waterhole you swim in and then getting to load your bike into a cattle truck,” he said.
“There’s nothing like it. Getting out there, running into the mud and the dust. It’s all good fun.”
Mr Malone said it was a testament to the Festival and to Julia Creek that every year it had more and more people coming out to get involved
“People have a great time out here and then they can’t keep it to themselves, they rope in their family, friends and even complete strangers just because they heard how great it is.”
Registrations for the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival close at midnight on the 31st of March.