Dirt & Dust Triathlon

In 2019 we are celebrating 25 years of the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival! A quarter of a century filled with triathletes swearing at the constant outback headwind, dust being kicked up by people dancing to local and international artists belting out classic tunes, cowboys being tossed from the back of bucking bulls, cheers being carried across the track as people enjoy the horse racing, denim clad butts shaking and gyrating, kids developing a sweaty love for triathlons, mud laden larrikins snorkelling their way through bog pits and an endless number of local and visiting families having a blast together! Prepare yourself for 2019, its going to be a festival for the ages!

ATHLETES PACK:Your Athletes Pack now includes;– Race Singlet, Swimming Cap– Insurance, Bib and Timing Chip– 1x Ticket to the Saturday Night PBR Bullride (This is where the 2019 presentations are being held)– 1x Ticket to the Friday Night Carbo Dinner

Starting with an 800m swim through muddy water and thick reeds, participants continue on to a 25km bike ride into a strong headwind, taking them back into town where the 5km run begins and ends. With temperatures close to 40 degrees, the bitumen is hot, the creek water is warm, and the wind pushes you backwards – draining you mentally as well as physically.

Junior Tri DetailsJunior Race Date: Friday 12th April 2019Registration and Numbering: Friday 12th April - 12.30pm to 2pm - Julia Creek Swimming PoolBriefing: 2pm to 2.30pm - Julia Creek Swimming PoolRace Start: 3pm - Julia Creek Swimming PoolSenior Tri DetailsSenior Race Date: Saturday 13th April 2019Registration: Friday 12th April 4:30-9:00pm – Under the Water Tower accros from DnD CentralNumbering: Saturday 13th April 6.00am to 7.30am - Dirt N Dust CentralBriefing: 7:30am – Dirt n Dust CentralStart Time: 9:30am at Eastern Creek WaterholePost Race Dirt n Dust Central is the place to be from sunset onwards - with showstopping live music, before the Dirt n Dust Bullride sanctioned by PBR gets underway. It is a Bullride like no other, for only Australia’s gutsiest riders and biggest, toughest bulls. There are no time outs, no towels to throw in - once they’re on the back of the steed, there’s nothing to do but try and hold on for eight bone - shaking, desperate seconds. This is only the start of the night, with live music and family entertainment continued on afterwards, as well as the finals of Australia’s Best Butt Competition - where guys and girls alike pull on their tightest jeans, perk their cheeks up, and vie for the crowd’s approval of their behind.

GETTING THEREDRIVE along the Overlander’s Way, 8hrs West of Townsville or 2hrs East of Mount IsaFLY from Townsville or Mount Isa via Rex AirlinesBus, train, plane or car. Online packages will be available including transport to and from Julia Creek. Bus tickets can be booked online Bus Queensland at www.busqldoutback.com.au. Flights can be booked with Rex Airlines at rex.com.au and there are a multitude of stopovers and things to see on the Overlander’s Way during your Pit Stop to the Creek! Half the fun is getting there!!

Volunteers travel from across Queensland and are best known as the friendly faces you see during the triathlons. They help with marshalling, ticketing, ensuring the venue is spic and span and tidy for our guests … and more!Questions and enquiries regarding volunteering can be answered by our Volunteer Coordinator via volunteer@dirtndust.com

WHERE IS JULIA CREEK?Julia Creek is situated on the Overlander’s Way (Flinder's Highway) 650km west of Townsville and 250km east of Mount Isa.WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET A FLAT TYRE OR BREAK DOWN OVER THE WEEKEND?Once in Julia Creek – there are a couple of local businesses that can help with tyres and mechanical issues, please see the local business directory for details on the McKinlay Shire Council Website at www.mckinlay.qld.gov.au/WHAT ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?Unfortunately all Motel and Hotel Accommodation is booked out well in advance – but don’t let that deter you! Its time to get your Fair Dinkum Outback Experience! There are a number of options available including our McIntyre Park Self-Camping campsites, the Julia Creek Caravan Park and also the Free RV Camping site along the creek (no amenities available, self-servicing RV’s only)Camping is also available at the Julia Creek Caravan Park. Bookings are essential. Please phone the Julia Creek Information Centre (07 4746 7690) to make a booking. Powered and unpowered sites available.DO I NEED TO PRE - BOOK MY CAMPSITE?If you are staying at McIntyre Park Campgrounds, and want a powered site, bookings are essential as these run out quickly. This will need to be booked online or through our office on 0448 901 392. If you want a non powered site, you can still make bookings online or thorugh the office, however this is not essential, you can rock up on the weekend and pay the volunteer coordinators with cash at the gate.If you wish to stay at the Julia Creek Caravan Park bookings are essential for all powered and non powered sites. CAN I BRING MY DOGS/CATS TO THE EVENT?No, sorry you will have to leave them at home for the event, due to their being livestock on site.WHAT ABOUT CAMPING?Animals are not permitted on the McIntyre Park Campgrounds – if you have fur babies travelling with you, you can contact the Julia Creek Caravan Park – or camp at the Free RV site on the Creek providing you are fully self-servicing as there are no public amenities at this site. Please remember that these sites book out fairly quickly and you will need to make a booking.I’VE BOOKED MY CAMPSITE – NOW WHAT?You will receive an email the week of the event with all contact details for the camp hosts and check in and out times etcFor further information and Camping rules on McIntyre Park Camping please download the information page TRIATHLONSCAN I HIRE A BIKE?No, unfortunately notOK – I’VE SIGNED UP, NOW WHAT?Full details and run sheet of the Triathlons will be listed in the Official events guide and you will also receive an email the week of the event instructing you where to go. If you have any queries in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact our coordinators on seniortri@dirtndust.com or juniortri@dirtndust.com!HAS THE TRIATHLON HAD ANY FAMOUS NAMES COMPETE IN THE PAST?Yes we have had some of Australia's best triathletes run in the event: The late Luke Harrop, as well as, Lorretta Harrop, Andrew Johns and Brad Beven, and Emma Jackson.WHERE DOES THE BUS TO THE WATERHOLE FOR THE START OF TRI (TRIATHLETES INCLUDED) AND TO THE HORSE RACES LEAVE FROM?All buses, for all events throughout the weekend, leave from Dirt n Dust HQ. The bus will also collect people from accommodation suppliers to the races on Saturday. Please see bus timetable for further information.AFTER THE TRIWHERE CAN I PICK UP LOST PROPERTY OR TRI GEAR BROUGHT BACK FROM THE WATERHOLE?All tri-athletes gear brought back from the waterhole and general lost property will be available from the Dirt & Dust Office at DND HQ!CAN I SEE THE TOP TRIATHLETE’S PRESENTATIONS?Triathlete’s presentations will be held at the racecourse on Saturday, there are tickets for athletes to enter the races for this included in their race packs, family and supporters will need to buy a ticket at the gate.WHERE CAN I SEE THE RESULTS OF BOTH THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR TRIATHLONS?Results will be posted on a notice board at the Dirt n Dust office by 3pm on Saturday. Results will be available on the Dirt n Dust website after the event.THE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER TOOK A GREAT PHOTO OF ME WHERE CAN I BUY A COPY OF THIS FROM?Please talk to the official photographer on the week-end and we will have a link to their web site on the Dirt n Dust website.CAN I CHEER ON THE KIDS TRIATHLON?The Junior Triathlon is held on Friday at the local pool. We encourage ALL senior triathletes to come and cheer the kids on. This means a lot to them. Presentations for the junior triathlon will be held at the Dirt n Dust Venue inside the bullring on Friday Night from approx. 7PM so come down and cheer on the little champions and enjoy some great family entertainment and live music. Food Vendors will be on site.FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AND JUNIOR TRI PRESENTATIONSDOES IT COST ANYTHING TO GET IN ON FRIDAY NIGHT?No! Friday night is Free Family Fun night and is free to all and has a bumper program of events for the evening, such as Kids Roving entertainment and amusements, Junior Triathlon presentations, a Disco, Bog Snorkelling, Live music and plenty of food vendors to get your carbs in before the Triathlon in the morning!I'M HUNGRY WHERE CAN I EAT?Get out and meet some of the friendly locals and support the Julia Creek community! Hours of business over the weekend will be advertised in our official program.Godiers Friendly Grocer Supermarket - Middle Burke StFoodmart Supermarket - Middle Burke StGannons Hotel Motel - Cnr Julia and Burke StreetsJulia Creek Hotel (Top Pub) - Cnr Goldring & Julia StreetsPLEASE SEE INDIVIDUAL ADVERTISING AT THEIR PREMISES FOR OPENING HOURS.WHERE IS EFTPOS/CASH AVAILABLE? EFTPOS and cash out facilities are available all weekend at the Dirt n Dust office. The Roadhouse on the Western Side of Town, Gannons Hotel Motel and The Top Pub are available for cash out transactions, all other businesses have EFTPOS facilities for purchases in their businesses. The Post Office is an agent for the Commonwealth Bank and the National Bank. It is highly recommended that you bring cash with you as there are limited cash supplies in town.WHERE CAN I BUY MERCHANDISE?Merchandise is available all week-end from the Dirt n Dust office.I WANT TO MAKE A PROPER “DIRT AND DUSTER” OF MYSELF WHERE CAN I ENTER NOVELTY EVENTS?Novelty events can be entered into with the appropriate forms, for some events, such as Bog Snorkelling and Australia’s Best Butt on Friday and Saturday Evening. These will be available at the Dirt n Dust Admin office at DnD HQ. This is great fun and a great release for a lot of committee family and friends after a busy week-end.SATURDAY NIGHT PBR AND LIVE CONCERTHOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET IN?The Saturday Night PBR Bullride and Concert is open to all ages – It costs $35 for an adult entry school aged children 17 and under are free with an accompanying adult. Tickets can be pre-purchased online at or are available at the gate. We suggest avoiding the queues and pre purchasing to get into the “Fast Lane“ at the gate!The Saturday Night is the highlight of the weekend - Bulls, Bands, Best Butts - We host the Australia's Best Butt Competition, which attracts many people of all sizes and shapes. The PBR Bullride is of National standard. Riders are qualifying for points that count towards world finals, after the action, our Headline artist will get you up and dancing and live music continues until the wee hours. There will also be Kids amusements and Roving entertainment to keep the littlies occupied!HORSE RACESWHERE IS THE RACE COURSE?The race course (McIntyre Park) is located approx 2kms from the town centre. Courtesy Buses are available to take you to and from the race course for just a gold coin donation. And there is a well lit pathway from the racecourse into the centre of town if you want to walk!IS THERE FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE RACE TRACK?There is an exclusive “ Country Tastes Luncheon “ held at the races, this is capped and tickets need to be pre- purchased for this through our website and there will also be food available to purchase at the track if you don’t go to the luncheon.ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE GATE?Yes, you can purchase tickets to get into the races at the gateAny further information on the Julia Creek Turf Club can be found at ( Link website or facebook to turf Club )LOCAL KNOWLEDGE!WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE IN APRIL?It can get up to 40 degrees during the day, however generally it is around 32-37 degrees. Hat and sunscreen are vital. It can cool down at night and early in the morning, so we suggest you bring a light weight jumper – and Lip Balm is a must!CAN YOU DRINK THE TOWN WATER?A local will tell you it's the best water on earth, but if you haven’t tasted bore water before, you might think that it does smell and taste different but it is ok to drink and shower in. You can buy bottled water at the supermarket if necessary.WILL MY MOBILE PHONE WORK IN JULIA CREEK?Yes, both Telstra and Optus now have towers located at Julia Creek for coverage. Coverage may be limited. Public phones are located outside the post office and the top pub. WHAT IS THE NIGHT LIFE LIKE?There are 2 pubs which also offer after party entertainment for all age groups.WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SEE IN JULIA CREEK?Julia Creek has a unique history based on the Artesian water, historical walking trails, unique and endangered species – Julia Creek Dunnart – This information is available at the local tourism information centre, which is located in the centre of town or visit: www.mckinlay.qld.gov.au. We have amazing towns to stopover at along the way, visit: www.overlandersway.com.As you can see we are not living in Vegas so no 24 hr shopping, sorry. Most of the businesses will be closed by 1pm on Saturday. Grocery stores are open until 1pm Sunday. The Newsagents is open Sunday until 10am.If you have a general town enquiry the Information Centre (Cnr of Burke and Julia Streets) will be open Friday until 5pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm.Dirt and Dust Festival operational specific enquiries should be directed to the Dirt & Dust Office, which is located at DnD HQ at the western end of the main street.=Committee members will be in uniform over the weekend so if you have queries please ask one of them. Please use your town map for locations of the above information.