April 16, 2018
Wooroolin got to experience the benefits of motorcycle tourism at first hand over the weekend when more than 100 bikers camped out in the town centre.
The group were attending the Woolly Rally, which was organised by Kerrie Bantoft from Kerri B’s Motor-Bikery.
Lynnsay Fryer, who operates Big Bike Tours out of the Motor-Bikery, said he and Kerrie had decided to hold the rally to encourage more motorcyclists to visit the South Burnett.
The couple also wanted to provide visitors with a fun weekend that would encourage further visits in future, as well as give Wooroolin an economic boost and help raise funds for charity.
The three-day event ran from Friday afternoon to Sunday, and featured a number of novelty activities including helmet tossing, egg tossing, a motorcycle parade and a “Great Croc Hunt” in the nearby Wooroolin Wetlands.
There was also tyre tossing (with separate sections for men and women) and competitions for blokes in pink, the best welded contraption, the best pillion passenger and the best tattoos.
On Friday night, 52 early arrivals were treated to a fun night of karaoke at the Grand Hotel, and on Saturday guests were also able to browse the monthly Wooroolin Markets next to the camping area.
On Saturday night, it was back to the pub for another evening of live music before a Sunday recovery breakfast at the Wooroolin Cafe.
Lynnsay told southburnett.com.au he was unable to accurately estimate attendance numbers because bikers were arriving and leaving throughout the three days, but he estimated total attendance was “between 100 and 120”.
Geoff Grevell, from Love 2 Sing Karaoke, ran the Friday night karaoke session with Sue Bradley and said they were both impressed with the good behaviour they saw from rally attendees.
“They were one of the nicest, happiest audiences we’ve ever played to,” Geoff said.
“It was a real pleasure to be in the pub with them.”
Most guests were senior motorcyclists and were happy to camp out in tents they’d brought along for the weekend.
Several that southburnett.com.au spoke to came from outside the region, and had found out about the rally by word of mouth.
Profits from the rally – generated from donations to take part in the novelty events – will be donated to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
