Roads? There are none. Support vehicles?  We don't need them. Walk Across The Simpson Desert...Australia's most challenging walk. The Northern Simpson Desert Expedition
Australia's living connection to 19th Century Desert Exploration & Afghan Cultural Heritage
2009 Itinerary  |  Our Camels  |  Questions  |  Photogallery  |  Links   |  Contact Us
The Outback Camel Company has been exploring the vast deserts of inland Australia since 1976 after successfully completing Australia's first commercial camel expedition -  across the Simpson Desert. Using our string of packcamels to carry all the supplies and equipment, we honour the tradition of the pioneering 'Afghan' cameleers who played such a crucial role in the exploration, development and sustenance of inland Australia. Our camels represent the last living link to the golden days of exploration by camel in Australia, as we are the only camel tour operator in the country that actively explores all of the continents great deserts without restricting ourselves to one area, and in 2010 we present a range of distinctive educational treks & expeditions travelling through some of Central Australia's most remote areas. All our desert journeys are walking treks - they are not camel-riding safaris. The most effective way to learn about the beautiful Australian deserts is to walk and live in them - and our journeys represent the most effective way to do this. Our camel string is totally self-sufficient – there are neither back-up vehicles nor wagons – which not only enables us to travel almost anywhere in the true style of the explorers of the 19th and early 20th centuries, but also provides an authentic, back-to-basics and comprehensive Australian 'bush experience'. Your active participation is essential and you will be asked to contribute to the operation of your trek or expedition, assisting our cameleers with the daily tasks. The comprehensive pre-departure information will help to ensure that you are well prepared for the enriching experience of working with the camels. Duties would include shepherding them in the mornings & evenings whilst they feed and, under the supervision of the cameleers, helping to saddle the camels and load the equipment. Your Outback Camel Company cameleers cook all the meals on the campfire but help from aspiring chefs is always welcome! Our short treks ranges from 6 to 16 days, exploring the Great Victoria Desert in South Australia, the Gibson and Great Sandy Desert's in Western Australia and the Simpson Desert & Finke River in the Northern Territory. In western Queensland and the northeast of South Australia we operate treks that combine the desert dunes with the extensive waterholes of the Diamantina River and Eyre Creek. We vary our operating area and schedule from year to year depending on the seasonal conditions in each desert.
The ultimate Australian desert experience would have to be our Simpson Desert Expedition – a complete west-east crossing of the Simpson Desert. This magnificent journey, the world’s longest and most challenging commercial camel expedition, takes 28 days to cross the over 1000 sand ridges from Old Andado Station in the Northern Territory to Birdsville in western Queensland. In our 34th year we present treks & expeditions that will enable you to explore and experience the Outback in a way that you may never have thought possible. Journeys that will reconnect you to the land. Trekking with the amiable, charismatic camels offers an intimacy with the soul of the country that is completely absent when travelling by vehicle. You will discover that the pace of nomadic life will re-awaken your senses as they become attuned to the life, beauty, diversity and moods of the surrounding desert. You will not forget the camaraderie, the seemingly endless vistas, the brilliant evening glow of the stars, the captivating serenity of the day and pure silence of the night, and of course the remarkable attributes of our camels.
February & March Information Evenings If you would like to find out more about our 2010 itinerary in the Simpson Desert, please come along to one of our Information Evenings. Seating is limited at some venues & bookings are essential. Christchurch Information Evening & Kiwi Expeditions Launch Date: Tuesday February 9th Venue: Speight's Ale House, 263 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand Time: 5.45pm RSVP: Kiwi Expeditions geoff.ridley@paradise.net.nz or telephone 027 4333243 before February 5th Sydney Date: Wednesday February 10th Venue: Active Travel, Level 1, 447 Kent Street, Sydney Time: 6.30pm RSVP: BackTrack Adventures - occ@backtrack.com.au or telephone 07 3850 7600 Brisbane Date: Thursday February 11th Venue: BackTrack Adventures, Level 1, 132 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley Time: 6.30pm RSVP: BackTrack Adventures - occ@backtrack.com.au or telephone 07 3850 7600 Melbourne Date: Thursday February 18th Venue: The Royal Society of Victoria, 9 Victoria St, Melbourne Time: 6.30pm RSVP: BackTrack Adventures - occ@backtrack.com.au or telephone 07 3850 7600 Canberra Date: Thursday March 11th Venue: Friends Lounge, National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula Time: 6 for 6.30pm RSVP: BackTrack Adventures - occ@backtrack.com.au or telephone 07 3850 7600 Full details of the 2010 itinerary will be released on February 3rd!
Our renowned Simpson Desert Expedition (from the Northern Territory to Queensland) is rated by
as one of the ‘25 Greatest Adventures In The World'. "Adventure and 'hard' eco-tourism at its very best"
Visit Australian Desert Expeditions and view their ecological research journeys for 2010 2010-2011 is the 150th Anniversary of the Burke & Wills Expedition Australia's Muslim Cameleers Pioneers of the Inland 1860s-1930s Exhibition opens in Melbourne on February 26th Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Daily, 10 AM - 5 PM Explore the remarkable impact of Australia's Muslim cameleers in transforming central Australia. This exhibition reveals the remarkable contribution which Australia’s first Muslim community, from Afghanistan and British India, made to the exploration and settlement of Australia’s arid interior.Cameleers assisted all major expeditions into Australia’s uncharted interior starting with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 and have contributed significantly to Australia's economic and cultural development. These Muslim pioneers provided the lifeblood for many inland settlements, isolated stations and mines, and forged communication routes through remote Australia.
2009 Itinerary  |  Our Camels  |  Questions  |  Photogallery  |  Links   |  Contact Us
provided by elogicwebsolutions.com
This site was last updated on January 31st 2010