What are you doing on Sunday 6th October? Want to attend a fun and quirky event? Come to the 27th annual Australian Goanna Pulling Championships in Wooli!
No goannas are involved in these championships – only men and women of all ages and sizes competing for the Goanna Pulling Championship belt in their category.
While it’s a fun yet serious competition with over $5,000 of prize money up for grabs, the day is not just about these championships.
A complete family fun day is also taking place on the Sunday, with carnival rides operating on Friday and Saturday night (4 and 5 October) from 6pm as well.
An excellent excuse to book a getaway to Wooli that weekend, we reckon!
Goanna pulling
Two contestants take their places on the Goanna Mountain – on their hands and knees, facing each other, with one big leather belt suspended between their necks.
What happens next resembles a tug-of-war game except the pulling happens with participants’ necks instead of their hands. A match can be over in a few seconds, or last many long minutes.
Proper technique is just as (if not more) important than strength in this game, so it’s not always the biggest and strongest person that wins, which makes it fun and exciting to watch.
Want to have a go? You can enter the competition on the day. Just make sure you are there at 9am to sign up.
More events on the day
Besides the goanna pulling competition, there are other fun events to watch or even take part in on Sunday 6 October:
Novelty races (e.g. brick carrying) for men, women and children (starting at 9am)- Wood chopping competition
- Dog obedience club display
- Tug-of-war
- Old McDonald’s Farm animals
- Australian Reptile Show – featuring Rex the Goanna!
Jumping castles- Face painting
- Sandwizard
- Giant ferris wheel
- Dodgem cars
- Bungee trampoline
- Bucking bull
- Cup & saucer ride
Food & drink and market stalls
Enjoy the BBQ food and drinks or have a refreshing ale at the beer tent. Bargain hunters will enjoy strolling around the Wooli Showground to take in a large variety of market stalls.
Afterwards: NRL Grand Final
For after-event entertainment, head to the Wooli Hotel where the NRL Grand Final will be shown live on the big screen.
Remember – the carnival rides are running from Friday night 6pm, continuing on Saturday night and the whole day Sunday.
Further information
Entry is by gold coin donation and proceeds will go to Wooli Yuraygir S.E.S., Wooli NSW Rural Fire Service and Marine Rescue Wooli.
The day begins at 9am – so be early if you don’t want to miss out on all the fun!
For more details about the Australian National Goanna Pulling Championships, visit the official website: http://www.goannapulling.com.au