In May of each year, the Tablelands plays host to The Great Wheelbarrow Race!
The 140km race attracts more than 450 competitors annually. Some teams go to remarkable lengths to raise money for their nominated charity during the lead-up to the race. Last year, competitors raised a total of $124,000!
The Great Wheelbarrow Race may test the endurance of many competitors, but it is largely about having fun and raising money for charity in a team environment. Team building has become a major draw card for competitors.
The race kicks off in Mareeba on a Friday morning when competitors, dressed in their colourful costumes, parade down the main street to the cheers of hundreds of spectators, as they head out to Dimbulah where they stop and camp for the night.
The next day competitors head off over a gruelling 60kms of hilly terrain, to reach the small outback town of Almaden where a night of fun and entertainment awaits. On the final day, teams head to the historical mining town of Chillagoe, famous for its caves and marble production.