Dirt N Dust postponed due to rain, mud

Julia Creek’s famous Dirt n Dust Festival has been pushed out to late August after flood waters closed all roads into the outback town. The three-day event was due to start next week.

2024: Competitors wade through mud at the Dirt N Dust adventure run.

Julia Creek’s Dirt n Dust Festival has been postponed to late August due to “boggy conditions” closing roads and making travel hazardous.

The three-day event was due to start next week, April 11.

In an announcement on Monday, March 31, the festival organisers revealed the hard decisions had been made to pull up stumps and move the entire music/rodeo/horse race/fun run event to August 29 - 31.

“The decision has been made to reschedule Dirt N Dust Festival 2025 due to ongoing adverse weather, including road closures, hazardous travel, and significant challenges in event logistics,” the statement read.

“Currently all access roads to Julia Creek remain closed, and while there is hope they may reopen in the next couple of weeks, persistent boggy conditions could remain a substantial risk to the safety of festival attendees, rodeo stock, volunteers, and event staff.”

Julia Creek Dirt N Dust 2023 competitors Ellen Dallavanzi of Julia Creek, and Scott Banney of Townsville

Julia Creek has received nine days of non-stop rain - a total of 116mm.

Tickets will be automatically transferred over to the August dates, however if people are unable to attend they will be offered refunds.

Those with sites booked at the Julia Creek Caravan Park can either get a refund, or transfer their dates to August.

The full program of events will be shifted to the new August timeslot, this includes the South 32 Adventure Run, DirtNDust Rodeo, the Multicom Resources Artesian Express Races, Australia’s Best Butt Competition, and live concerts from the Homegrown Trio, Tommy Contor & the Western Wranglers, Tyson Lucas, and the Branded Men.

Originally published as Dirt N Dust postponed due to rain, mud