Camel trekking in Outback South Australia ... The ultimate adventure! No geographical goal, no phone range or internet, no vehicle support, no summits, no base camp ....pure and simple exploration of our 'country'.
Once again, we're heading remote, escaping the modern world for a while and what better way, than on a mode of transport that became outdated almost a century ago. With camels as our travelling companions, carrying all our food, water and swags on a traditional packsaddle, we walk alongside them and take time to immerse ourselves in the beauty and surrounds of this wild part of Australia. This style of trekking has been said to resemble a meditative experience, having no need to cast our minds ahead, nor strive for an end goal. Completely uncluttered, a sense of isolation, a feeling of freedom, with the only tracks being ours ... and those of the camels.
Our Cameleers are the best in the business, they and their camels played a part in the book and movie "Tracks" .... they will share their story with you around the campfire!
If you are coming to Adelaide interstate or internationally, you should arrive the night before. Adelaide has plenty of good accommodation options and being a relatively compact city, wherever you choose to stay will only require a short taxi ride to our meeting point on the morning of the tour start.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Loading for the first time on a trek appears hectic; loading times will decrease as everyone becomes more confident with the camels and gear.
Assistance will be required with the loading and unloading of the camels each day, we only ask that each person helps to their own capabilities. Once the camels are loaded the trek departs.
At lunch time we pull up, boil the billy and eat. We continue to walk for a couple of hours after lunch then find a suitable camp for the night. We aim to travel between 10km and 20km per day (this is flexible and will also depend on camels and individual trekker abilities) allowing plenty of time to take in the surroundings.
Fire wood is collected and dinner prepared. Day 3 to 7 (11th August to 16th August): Follows the same routine as day 2.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Swags
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel - Blinman
If you are planning to depart this evening, then you should book a flight departing no earlier than 6:30pm so as to allow a margin for delays on our drive back. The tour concludes at the Adelaide a Bus Station where taxis are readily available for the 15 minute journey to the airport or shorter journey into Adelaide's many hotel options.
Meals: Breakfast
8 Nights - A Swag will be supplied (canvas bed roll) that contains a mattress. It is necessary that you supply your own sleeping bag, one that is suited to the conditions (desert gets very cold at night) Your sleeping bag will be rolled in your swag each day. You may also choose to bring a small camping or yoga mat to use under the swag mattress for extra padding & warmth, which can also be rolled in the swag during the day.
1 Night - Hotel, Blinman (Twin Share from another lady in the group).
A Typical Day on the Camel Trek:
Mornings start around sunrise with the fire being lit, the billy put on and breakfast eaten around the fire. While this is happening the camels will be let off for some breakfast and we will begin packing up the camp.Once this is complete the camels are brought in and loading begins. When the camels are loaded we set off for the day, this will usually be somewhere between 8.30am and 10.00am.
We walk until lunch time briefly stopping and looking at any points of interest along the way (animals, old mines, plants, rocks etc.). At lunch we sit the camels down for 30-60 mins, have lunch and boil the billy, then resume walking until somewhere around 3.30pm or when a suitable camp can be found. The chosen campsite revolves around camel feed, as the camels must feed through the night; we choose a camp with good feed.
Upon reaching our camp for the night, the camels are unloaded. This is a relatively quick process as gravity is on our side and with everyone helping unloading can be completed within minutes. The camels go to feed for a couple of hours before being put to bed for the night. During this time the billy will be put on and the evening meal prepared over the fire. Help with fire wood collection is greatly appreciated.
During the afternoons you are free to do as you like (read, relax, or assist in any way you choose around camp or with the camels) Evenings are a good time for bird watching. Dinner will usually be served just after dark when we can sit around the fire, chat or star gaze before retiring to a comfy swag.
About the Walking/Trek Route:
The trek departs from a property in Blinman within the Northern Flinders Ranges and passes on to neighbouring Angorichina Station.
The trek will pass through towering gorges, winding gum lined creeks and through natural springs. The trek route will depend upon a number of factors including individual trekkers walking ability, terrain conditions, topography, the weather and the availability of camel feed among a few. As we carry all of our supplies for the entire trek, the walking route can be altered at any time to accommodate all of our needs.
The terrain the trek will pass through varies greatly. There will be sections of creek bed walking, bush walking cross country and walking along station tracks. There will be rocky hills; we try to avoid very steep hills with the camels. The trek requires a moderate fitness level for all trekkers. We travel between 10km and 20km per day, with our lead camel averaging about 3.5km per hour. The camel train speed depends upon terrain, travelling slower through highly vegetated or steep areas and faster over flat plains.
Example of Food Supplied while on the Camel Trek:
Breakfast- cereal, fruit, tea or coffee
Lunch- sandwiches (meats and salads) fruit cake, tea or coffee
Dinner- Moroccan couscous with chicken and jacket potatoes
Dessert- Rice cream and fruit, tea or coffee
A piece of fruit is provided in the morning that can be eaten through the day. Please note: snacks are not provided, if you are used to walking with muesli bars, hydrolite, lollies, please bring them along.
Water - A precious resource
Water is a precious resource during camel treks. The camels carry all of the water for the trek therefore there is not an endless supply. All the water on the trek is for drinking, there is no water available for washing/showering. Waterless hand sanitiser is provided before meal time to sanitise hands. After meals, kitchen roll is provided to clean plates. For personal hygiene it is recommended to bring along wet wipes/ face wipes to freshen up with.
Please ensure you read our No Princess Policy before signing up for this adventure to ensure it's right for you!
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude, after-all we're remote and in the Outback .....there are no toilets, nor showers!!
Please ensure you read what is involved before signing up ... While this is not a 'hardcore' hiking experience (the trekking component is moderate), you could be challenged in many other ways, ie: using a trowel to dig/toilet and not showering for seven days, loading up the camels every day with bags, camp gear etc, the weather. If you're up for the challenge and can maintain a positive mental attitude, you will be rewarded with the most amazing, uplifting, learning,... and unique experiences of your life... a true adventure!!
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
Cancellation more than 75 days prior to departure - Loss of Deposit
Between74 and 61 days - Loss of 75% of tour cost
60 days or less - Loss of 100% of the tour cost
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.
