It’s no small coincidence that Australia’s nickname is Oz: this place is as wondrous and peculiar as they come.
Venture into the wild untamed outback of the land down under and you’ll find a whole host of weird goings on, from crayfish racing to rodeo on sheep-back. Prepare to be surprised.
Croydon Poddy Dodgers Festival
20th-22nd June 2014
Introduced as an annual agricultural and rodeo weekend to celebrate Croydon’s rural heritage, the Croydon Poddy Dodgers Festival sounds ordinary enough.
But don’t be fooled, as this is one of the strangest events the outback has to offer. Events include the Greasy Pig Chase, Mutton Busting (kids’ rodeo on sheep), and the World Title Cow Milking competition.
You can also win a pig.
Lasseters Camel Cup
12th July 2014
Alice Springs’ Lasseters Camel Cup does exactly what it says on the tin. Visitors flock from all over the world to watch these competitions, as a cohort of temperamental and cumbersome creatures race around the dusty arena.
Annual highlights include the Rickshaw Races and slapstick Honeymoon Handicap, in which riders dressed as grooms pick up their brides and carry them over the finish line.
Divide your attention between camels, belly dancers, food stalls and bars for an extraordinary day at the races.
Henley-On-Todd Regatta
16th August 2014
Probably the most bizarre and backwards of all outback events, the Henley-On-Todd Regatta is a boat race without the water.
Hordes of competitors gather to race their makeshift ‘boats’ along the arid riverbed: some on foot, some on wheels, and others being dragged along by their teammates.
Many were left disappointed in 1993 when the race was cancelled, due to water in the River Todd.
Windorah International Yabby Races
3rd September 2014
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a “yabby” is a common freshwater crayfish found in the land of Oz.
Much like a shrimp, a yabby can be barbied – but it can also be raced, apparently.
Punters place their bets on each of the 10 yabbies in every event, and wait for the magic to happen. Slowly.
Outback Festival
22nd-26th September 2015
The self-proclaimed king of Outback events, the biennial Outback Festival in Winton (home of the famous Waltzing Matilda song), is a five-day Australian extravaganza.
If you’ve heard of the world-famous Dunny Derby, then you’ll have heard of this. Other events include Bushman’s Egg Throwing, Whip Cracking Championships, and the World Crayfish Derby Race. Go big or go home.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
(Featured image © TimHesterPhotography/iStock/Thinkstock)
