Uluru Camel Cup: A true blue Aussie outback event

<p>Did you know there are more than one million wild camels running around the Australian outback? So suddenly, a whole racing festival dedicated to these ships of the desert doesn’t seem so strange…</p> <p>The Uluru Camel Cup started in 2012 and for the first year attracted mainly locals living in the town of Yulara, the closest settlement to Uluru. It’s now grown to one of the most popular events on the Northern Territory’s calendar and draws spectators from all over the world. This year, the cup will be held on May 27.</p> <p>The festivities begin on Friday night at the Outback Pioneer Hotel &amp; Bar. The evening starts with an Aussie buffet dinner, including a spit roast, followed by live music (mainly country), dancing and entertainment. The highlight of the night is the Camel Cup Calcutta, where you can bid on your favourite camel for the big race on Saturday. There’s no gambling at the track itself, so you’ll need to get your bets in the night before.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yeK8Qku_FPU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>On race day, the camels stretch their legs with qualifying races before the three big ticket shows: the Dash for Cash, Plate Race and the Uluru Camel Cup itself. The camels aren’t trained racers. Usually, they are carrying tourists on tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta at a slow walking pace. Their handlers will put them through a few races before the big day, but there’s really no way to know how the race will turn out.</p> <p>As with everything in the outback, the weather has a big role to play. One year, heavy rains made the track so wet that organisers decided that it wasn’t safe for jockeys to ride. No problem – the camels just ran on their own.</p> <p>Off the track, there’s plenty of action as well. Punters dress up to compete in the Fashions on the Field parade and there are stock whip demonstrations, wheelbarrow races and even a camel dung throwing competition. The weekend wraps up with the glittering Frock Up &amp; Rock Up Gala Ball, held under the stars with a red sand dance floor and music till the early hours.</p> <p>Have you ever been to the Uluru Camel Cup? Share your experience in the comments below.</p>

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