Further Information - Kallakoopah Creek Megafauna Expedition
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A Great Desert Walk: A Journey of Connection and Discovery
Walking through the desert with pack camels offers a truly unique and transformative experience. The journey is slow and mindful, where you walk quietly across the desert, with the camels following behind, offering a steady, calming rhythm throughout the day.
Our treks honour the deep history of camel transport in Outback Australia, tracing back to the Afghan cameleers and early explorers who ventured into the deserts over a century ago. Rooted in this legacy, a Great Desert Walk is an authentic Australian outback experience, one that existed long before terms like “ecotourism” or “adventure tourism” became popular. It’s a step back into a time when the land shaped the journey and patience was the only guide.
Though modern safety practices and materials are embraced, the spirit of our walks remains firmly grounded in tradition. Working with camels requires respect, calmness, and understanding - qualities that our experienced team of cameleers has cultivated over decades of leading journeys across thousands of kilometres of desert.
A Great Desert Walk is accessible to most people, but preparation is key. It is not about luxury or ease; it’s about authenticity and respect for the landscape. This is not a casual stroll with evening drinks or hot showers waiting at day’s end. It’s a journey that requires a commitment to experiencing the desert as it has existed for millennia - vast, untouched, and humbling.
While 4WD trips across the Simpson Desert have their appeal, our walks offer something profoundly different. In a vehicle, the desert is observed from a distance, shaped by tracks, fuel limitations, vehicle capability and the hum of an engine. On foot, there is no such separation. The land is no longer a place to traverse and conquer, but a living, breathing presence to connect with. Without roads or the intrusion of machinery, you are fully immersed in the wilderness, guided only by the contours of the dunes and the timeless rhythm of the natural world.
Walking with camels also offers a humbling reminder of our connection to nature. It reminds us that, like the camels and the land, we too are part of this ancient, vast ecosystem.
This is desert bushwalking in its purest form - wild, free, and memorable. A Great Desert Walk is not just a trek; it’s a journey of connection, discovery, and transformation.
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How we walk in the landscape
Regardless of your bushwalking experience, walking with animals may be a new experience for you.
Camels are the heart and soul of our treks, enabling us to access some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes that would otherwise be out of reach for walkers. Carrying all the supplies needed for treks of any duration, our camels make it possible to journey deep into the wilderness.
The path we take through the terrain is carefully chosen with the camels in mind, as they navigate dunes, rocky outcrops, steep gullies, or claypans that might be muddy or water-filled.
Tethered in single file, the camels consequently zig-zag through the landscape. For the cameleers guiding them, it’s a bit like steering a road train through multiple roundabouts.
Over the years, our trekking style has evolved to enhance the experience for both trekkers and camels. Prior to 2022, our treks had walkers following the camels or walking alongside them. But we’ve since reimagined the way we move through the landscape, and now the trekking party leads the way, with the camels and cameleers following behind.
This change has two key benefits:
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Safety and Simplicity – With the trekkers out in front, the trek leader can easily keep everyone accounted for with quick headcounts throughout the day. This prevents anyone from lagging behind unnoticed in the vast desert.
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A Calm Camel String – Like all animals (humans included), camels can be startled by unexpected movements or sounds from behind. Despite their training, camels can (and sometimes do) spook easily if they can’t ascertain what made a sudden movement behind them or where a noise may be emanating from. By keeping trekkers in front, the camels remain calm and focused, making the trek smoother and more enjoyable for everyone, particularly the cameleers who are constantly monitoring the camels.
That said, our treks are anything but rigid. Depending on the terrain, the time of day, or the direction of travel, we sometimes allow trekkers to walk alongside the camels on the near (left) side.
Walking with camels is more than just a simple trek; it’s a harmonious journey, weaving Humans and Humps together in the rhythm of the desert. Every step, whether yours or the camels’, brings a deeper connection to the land and the journey.
Getting Hands-On with the Camels: A Unique Opportunity
While our crew includes experienced cameleers, some with decades of expertise in handling these incredible animals, we understand that most trekkers may have little to no experience being in close proximity to large animals.
More Than Just Camels
Our camels aren’t your typical beach-riding camels from places like Cable Beach in Broome. These are robust, highly skilled desert pack camels, trained to carry heavy and intricate loads through changing terrain. They’re the backbone of our trekking adventures, making it possible to access remote areas.
It’s All About Understanding the Humps
Camels are intelligent, emotional creatures with distinct personalities, and they’re far from static objects; they have quirks, moods, and even the occasional “off day.” Loading a camel requires care, precision, and an understanding of their individual needs, and it’s not like tossing boxes into the back of a ute. Cameleers follow a specific sequence when loading each camel, ensuring the load is balanced and the animal is comfortable.
Want to Lend a Hand?
If you’re eager to get involved in the loading or unloading process, we welcome your assistance. However, for everyone’s safety (including the camels’), our crew will guide how and when you can help, and that may change from day to day.
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Not quite ready to jump in? That’s perfectly fine! You’re welcome to sit back and watch the process. It’s a fascinating experience to see the team and camels working in harmony.
A Chance to Connect
At the end of the trekking day, many camels appreciate a gentle brush or rub down, offering a special moment of connection between you and these remarkable animals.
Whether you’re helping hands-on or simply observing, your time spent around the camels is an unforgettable opportunity to build a bond with these incredible creatures and contributes to your general immersion in the rhythm of desert life.
A Typical Day
Please note!: Routine is critical when working with trained animals and our daily routine is built around the camels day. The following is an example of a 'normal' day.
The day begins at first light when the crew untie the camels from their night trees and shepherd the camels whilst they feed. The crew will have their breakfast first whilst the campfire is brought back to life, the billy boiled and breakfast is served for the rest of the trekking group.
After breakfast, we pack up camp and the camels are brought in ready to be loaded with saddles and equipment. We usually break camp between 9.00 & 9.30 a.m. and our pace of travel is based around that of the camels. They normally walk at about 3.5 kilometres per hour on flat country and 3 kilometres per hour over dunes. We are not in a rush and one of the first things that you will notice as you walk along is the sheer immensity of the desert silence. As you become involved in the day, your senses will soon become attuned to the surrounding desert.
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As and when our field ecologists discover items that require further investigation, we will of course pull up.
During the morning we also stop after the first hour to adjust loads and have a break, before pulling up for lunch about midday for an hour or so. Lunch is laid out on the tables and this is a time to rest and relax a while.
The afternoon walk follows a similar pattern to that of the morning. Camp is usually struck sometime between 3 and 4.00 p.m. at a suitable place where there is feed for the camels - this is the most critical factor in selecting a campsite. It may be necessary to camp quite some distance from the two mikiri that we intend to visit.
Our camp is run like a traditional 'stock camp', similar to those that you would find on any large Australian cattle station and is well equipped but not overloaded with the clutter that seems to accompany modern day camping.
Whilst the camels are grazing, this is a time for you to collect your swag & personal gear and relax, read, or write up the diary. The crew will be preparing dinner and all meals are cooked on the campfire in camp-ovens or woks and dinner is served just after sunset.
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At the end of the day, gathering around a campfire in the Australian Outback, surrounded by the desert night, is one of life’s great pleasures. It’s a time to reflect on the day’s events, share stories, or simply recline on your swag and take in the breathtaking brilliance of the stars and the profound, thunderous silence that only thousands of square kilometres of desert can offer.
It's also the time for our ecologists to review the days discoveries.
The camels also often become a topic of conversation, as our entire day revolves around their rhythm and their remarkable ability to traverse the dunes with loads that can weigh up to 250 kilograms.
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Day-to-Day Itinerary
The actual day-to-day itinerary of any expedition is, to a large degree, unplanned - that is the beauty of travelling with camels and exploring the desert. As the expedition is self-sufficient and the camels can travel virtually anywhere, the only definite objective is our final destination. For instance, it is seldom known in the morning exactly where that nights camp will be, as the route taken, weather conditions, availability of camel feed and 'unexpected discoveries' all determine the position of camp. The one constant however, is the daily routine of loading and unloading the equipment onto and off the camels, as well as the general camp duties.
On day 1, we will meet in Birdsville shortly after 1030AM after the Rex flight from Mount Isa arrives. Depending if that flight is on time, we may have an early lunch in town before setting off by 4WD to the camel camp located amongst the dunes of the Simpson Desert South Australia, southwest of Birdsville.
Upon arrival at the camel camp, you will meet your crew and the camels. Together, we will prepare for departure the next morning, packing food and other equipment, a vital task where your assistance is always appreciated.
You’ll have time to acclimatise to your new surroundings and organise your personal gear before the adventure begins. That evening, your expedition leader will provide an overview of the expedition route and objectives, share insights about the camels, and discuss essential safety points to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Day 2 - This first walking day is also a 'learning day' as your crew will demonstrate how they handle the camels and how the tonnes of saddles & equipment are carried. As already noted, you may assist the crew with the loading procedure, however that assistance may be on a needs be basis and can change from day to day.
The following trekking days consist of the same daily routine. We have allocated some days when we won't be walking, to allow us to explore the area around the Kallakoopah Creek and associated salt lakes. There will be no strict water rationing of drinking water during the expedition but please note that the water we carry is for drinking and not washing bodies!
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Day 13 will be our last walking day. The 4WDs will arrive at camp that afternoon and we will go back to Birdsville on day 14, arriving in mid/late afternoon.
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Before departure we will send you a comprehensive Expedition Information Guide which will contain everything you need to know about preparations for the trek.