Great Wheelbarrow Race

Great Wheelbarrow Race On the third weekend in May of each year, Mareeba Shire Council plays host to ‘The Great Wheelbarrow Race’. Visit our website for more information.

This is an event where competitors push an empty wheelbarrow along the ‘Wheelbarrow Way’ between Mareeba and Chillagoe over three days. HISTORY: Late in the 1800’s when work was scarce and transportation was limited, miners often used to travel about the region using a wheelbarrow to carry all of their possessions. In 2004, as a tribute to these early pioneers and to honour their amazing trail-bla

zing feats, the road between Mareeba and Chillagoe was named the Wheelbarrow Way. The following quote from a Mr Peel, an early settler in Chillagoe captures the essence of the spirit that is being celebrated with the development of the Wheelbarrow Way.

“Dad pushed a wheelbarrow in which were stacked all our belongings. A few pieces of iron which would be used as a shelter, maybe some hessian, a spade, a lantern, a few kitchen things and very little else. Mum and the children walked behind, Mum usually with babe in arms.”
The original road to Chillagoe began at Herberton and locals claim that a ‘T’ model Ford was used to blaze a shorter route close to the railway track between Dimbulah and Petford in 1949. Today, the Wheelbarrow Way traverses this same country and follows a similar path close to the railway line which was originally privately owned but has since been incorporated into the state rail system. The line was originally used to ship material from the Chillagoe smelter to Cairns via Mareeba. Today a journey along the Wheelbarrow Way takes the traveller through rich farmlands and wooded Savannah country. All but 20kms of the road close to Chillagoe is sealed and travellers should be on the lookout for cattle and horse which wander freely across the unfenced road. Wildlife abounds in the region and it is not uncommon to see wallaroos and wallabies feeding beside the road. Travellers should also be aware that road trains use this section of road to take supplies and produce to and from the more remote parts of Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf country.

✨Save the date! The wheelbarrows will be on the road from Mareeba to Chillagoe on 14-16 May in 2027.
03/06/2026

✨Save the date! The wheelbarrows will be on the road from Mareeba to Chillagoe on 14-16 May in 2027.

🚨 Hey Teams! We want to hear your fundraising stories! 🚨The wheels have stopped spinning, but the impact is ongoing!👇 Dr...
27/05/2026

🚨 Hey Teams! We want to hear your fundraising stories! 🚨

The wheels have stopped spinning, but the impact is ongoing!

👇 Drop a comment below and tell us:

💰 How much did your team raise?
🎯 Who were you fundraising for?
❤️ Why does it mean so much to you?

Big or small, every dollar makes a difference — Let’s celebrate the incredible effort, heart, and community spirit behind the Great Wheelbarrow Race! 🛞

25/05/2026

🌞🏃 Thank you to Sunrise for capturing the fun on Friday morning!

🎉 And the winner is… To Chillagoe for Cole 🎉Congratulations! Please come and collect your prize from the Council office....
21/05/2026

🎉 And the winner is… To Chillagoe for Cole 🎉
Congratulations! Please come and collect your prize from the Council office.

A big thank you to all the teams for your incredible outfits — you truly help create such a fantastic atmosphere for the race! 👏🏁

The best dressed post has now been removed for tomorrow’s announcement!Top 3 contenders are:- Kuranda Rollies- To Chilla...
21/05/2026

The best dressed post has now been removed for tomorrow’s announcement!

Top 3 contenders are:

- Kuranda Rollies
- To Chillagoe for Cole
- The Sisterhood of the Travelling Wheelbarrow.

Voting has now closed.

Good luck teams! ✨

🌟The Great Wheelbarrow Race - Highlights 🌟Catch all the highlights from the 2026 Great Wheelbarrow Race here! ⬇️https://...
21/05/2026

🌟The Great Wheelbarrow Race - Highlights 🌟

Catch all the highlights from the 2026 Great Wheelbarrow Race here! ⬇️

https://youtu.be/fgA4ZldNtSM?si=nFcIqwnJvXtvzkI_

The race is all made possible thanks to our generous sponsors, thank you!

📹Shamrock Space Studio

🌟 The Great Wheelbarrow Race – Final Times 🌟Following some timing issues, we have carefully reviewed all race timesheets...
19/05/2026

🌟 The Great Wheelbarrow Race – Final Times 🌟

Following some timing issues, we have carefully reviewed all race timesheets over the weekend to ensure accuracy before posting again.

We can now confirm that the results are correct and final.

We sincerely apologise for the delay and errors and appreciate your patience and understanding while we worked through this process.

Thank you for your continued support and congratulations to all the teams for an amazing effort this year!

Address

65 Rankin Street
Mareeba, QLD
4880

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