Brigitte and George Prince catch all the action of the Tara Camel Races, before a rainforest reprieve
One of our Logan/Moreton Rambler members offered to organise an extra outing to this special event. So it was that 16 rigs camped for a couple of nights at Oakey Creek, before heading into Tara together. I felt this free camp was preparing my nostrils for the Camel Races, which I heard can get smelly. My sister thought it might be silage, but whatever it was, it spoilt the otherwise lovely, peaceful, rural setting for me, though others focused on the beautiful wide open spaces. It really is an excellent freedom camp, when not smelly. Fortunately, the offending odour was not an omen for the coming event, which we couldn’t fault at all.
ESTABLISHING CAMP
The little town of Tara buzzes with life every second year when the community hosts the Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races. We hadn’t been there before, and were astounded, and impressed, with the experience. All were welcome to set up camp the Wednesday morning preceding the races, providing ample time to catch up with friends and yarn around campfires (with wood available and delivered) in the lead up to the main events.
We’d never seen so many vans, even at a National Rally! It was claimed there were 1,600 vans with a total of 15,000 people attending the festival on the main day. We don’t know how the organisers kept the camping costs so low at $25 per van for up to five days, including hot showers and toilets. Another $35 provided three-day access to all the events and entertainment, and there was certainly plenty of that. Everything seemed to run so smoothly, from the entry to the campground, parking, provision of sufficient amenities, to the efficient scheduling of events.
RACING ACTION
Camel races are notoriously funny as the camels will do their own thing, and often head off in the wrong direction. I didn’t watch too many, as being a softie I don’t like to see animals hit with the crop, but we did see one camel streak early down the straight, with the dismayed rider looking over her shoulder at the stationary line-up. No need to use a crop here that’s for sure! The announcer explained camels don’t always co-operate at the starting line, as once they are facing the track, they’re ready to run at full gallop. Yabby races were new to us too and we were amazed at the high prices punters were bidding for each yabby, as they were auctioned off. Some fetched more than $300! Once all are placed in the middle of a ring, the first yabby to crawl to any edge of the circle wins. Apart from the races, which ran Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there were also sheepdog and shearing demonstrations, chainsaw and sand sculpting displays, multiple cultural demonstrations, roving entertainers, the ‘Globe of Death’ motorbike display, many market stalls, helicopter, camel and horse-drawn rides, plus a wide range of food offerings, bar and coffee stalls, and great raffles. The special children’s corner with fairy floss and other delights featured a mechanical bull, with clown entertainment for those waiting in queue.
George enjoyed a memorable birthday at the races, with many in our group sampling quinoa, chocolate and avocado cake for the first time.
Racing down the straight
SO MUCH ON OFFER
With the Camel Races and much of the entertainment starting on Friday, we were ‘wowed’ with an impressive fireworks display, followed by cultural entertainers. We found it impossible to attend all that was on offer; with two stages plus other arenas. Judah Kelly, the recent winner of The Voice, was very popular, with people claiming seats an hour and a half before his performance was due to start. On Saturday morning there was a street parade in which all the children of the community participated. It was Book Week parade with a cultural, international theme. A large number of countries were represented, and the kids were dressed in all sorts of colourful and imaginative costumes, providing a delightful display. There was even a miniature Donald Trump looka-like! It was obvious the whole town and surrounding communities supported this impressive festival in so many ways.
Sunday morning started with a short, early church service followed by a poet’s breakfast. We are used to several poets taking turns to present, but Gary Fogarty was the sole entertainer and he held us captive with his tall tales. Off for a coffee after this and I was astounded to see chai latte crossed out from the menu. Fancy running out of something so fancy, so quickly, way out here?
All weekend there were Latin dancers and drummers, a Bollywood band, a Caledonian pipe band, a Caribbean steel band, a Chinese musical duo, a Reggae/ Latin and soul band, Indian musicians, Indigenous performers, country musicians, Haka dancers, Polynesian and belly dancers, as well as some buskers. What a birthday party for George! It will be hard to trump that. It is a pity that we will have to wait another two years to appreciate this biennial event again.
WARM WATERS
Leaving Tara, we bid our farewells to our friends for a wonderful camp in Goondiwindi, near the NSW/ QLD border, and the therapeutic Boomi Hot Springs. We enjoyed the artesian springs so much, we headed for more at Moree. The Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel and Caravan Park, with its range of heated pools, had recently taken over a deserted nearby resort. A huge artesian spa pool, with several waterfall features and changing coloured lights, was housed under a dome. There were plenty of change rooms and amenities plus a resort-style ambience, with potted palms, huge television screens and modern beach furniture. We couldn’t resist the offer to camp over at this new area for only $17 per night, including power, as the park was still a work in progress. Walking back to our van after an evening appreciating the warm water in the Gatsby-style surroundings, we looked up to the stars and the clear, full moon added an enchanting touch. George had more delights in store as he drove us to another one of my favourite spots, Dorrigo. Although reaching there meant an overnight stay in Armidale (where the water pipes froze and we woke to ice on the ground in the morning), it was worth it once we reached the road known as Waterfall Way. I rate the Wonga Walk through the rainforest at Dorrigo highly, but we’d forgotten how long and steep it was, so we hadn’t taken a water bottle. However, with three waterfalls to admire including Crystal Shower Falls (which you can walk behind), the two and a half hour walk provided an abundance of beauty, so there were no regrets. We concluded our day at Dangar Lodge, next to Dangar Falls. The spectacular views were particularly picturesque at dawn, as we rose to another day of new adventures.
Celebrating a hard fought camel win
The impressive Crystal Shower Falls
