The "Wheelbarrow
Way" Race
The road from
Mareeba to Chillagoe was named the Wheelbarrow Way
by Mareeba
Shire Council
in 2002 as a tribute to the area’s mining pioneers.
The development of
this themed road is an integral part of Council’s
efforts to promote the region. The idea behind the
development of a themed road is really quite simple.
Both interpretive and directional signs are placed
at strategic points so that the whole road corridor
becomes an interpretive trail which draws visitors
deeper and deeper into the region and encourages them
to stay longer, exploring as many options as they
choose.
The following quote
from a Mr Peel, an early settler in Chillagoe captures
the essence of the spirit that this name and indeed
the wheelbarrow race are celebrating:
"Dad pushed a
wheelbarrow in which were stacked all of our belongings,
a few pieces of iron which would be used as 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 a babe in arms."
Obviously if the Wheelbarrow
Way is to work as a themed road it will have to be
well known and have a very high profile amongst the
travelling public. To help achieve these outcomes
Council has taken on board the suggestion of holding
an annual wheelbarrow race along the Wheelbarrow Way.
The suggestion for the Wheelbarrow Race was made by
Carolyn Bondeson at the October 2003 meeting of the
Chillagoe Tourism Operators Group.
When: May
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here for Registrations
