Eve and Jason Travel Oz: Fitzroy Crossing Annual Rodeo

A quick stop for lunch, and we're on our way....

Fitzroy Crossing is a small rural town which lies between Darwin and Broome, and has a population of around 1500 people. It is a popular stopover for caravanners due to its proximity between the two major stops, so it has several caravan parks. We chose the Crossing Inn, mostly because we figure it'll be the cheapest accommodation, being reasonably old and adjoining a 'local' pub (very local).

Fitzroy Crossing sits on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, which is stunning, especially at dusk when the air is still and the sun is starting to set (by the way, the sun sets at 5.30pm in these parts of world, so we've gotten used to eating dinner early!).

Upon checking in, we are informed of a 3-day rodeo event taking place in the town. Jase asks if they need staff, perhaps in the bar, over those 3 days? "Nah mate," says the man, "But I hear the IGA Supermarket is looking for counters for their stock take tonight...."

We high-tail it over to IGA and sure enough, we are booked in to work for $25/hr cash in hand that evening. 4 hours of backbreaking, frustrating, annoying work, we collect our money and resolve to putting it back into the community by attending the rodeo for 2 days. Our one-night stop over becomes a three day FX party!

What a blast! Clare Rodeo was great, but really, were they really riding big nasty feral (dare I say it, "bull-headed"?!) bulls?? Nope - they're all here at FX. These bulls are nasty. They are dangerous. They are frightening!! One bull even scaled the fence of his corral, puffing and howling with rage. Children ran backwards into the arms of their mothers (some crying) and everyone else cheered!!!!

I believe the tally after 2 days was bulls 400 to cowboys 4. Something like that. Enjoy the photos and the movie. What a weekend!! Well worth 4 hours of stocktaking!