7 DAYS OUTBACK | camel-treks-aust

7-Day Outback Adventure

Immerse Yourself in the Heart of the Outback on a 7-Day Journey. Wake up to soul-nurturing sunrises that cast a golden glow over the vast desert landscape, making each morning a cherished memory. Over seven unforgettable days, experience the simple joys of bushwalking, camel riding, and evenings by the campfire. Whether you ride, walk, or embrace the immersive Cameleer Experience, this journey will redefine what an unforgettable getaway means.

Three Booking Options

Riding Seat (Full Fare): Enjoy the adventure of riding atop a camel—a mentally restorative experience.
Bushwalking Option (Discounted Rate): Walk alongside camels and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.
The Cameleer Experience: A hands-on, immersive option where you’ll learn camel handling and join the trek crew.

Special Discounts

10% Reduced Rate for Bushwalkers
20% Discount for Return Trekkers

How to Book

Bookings are now open for 2025–2026.
Email us with your preferred trek dates before December 11th to secure your place.
Our new booking system launches December 11th for on-line payments.

Payment & Important Notes

20% Deposit: A non-refundable deposit confirms your booking (fully transferable if needed).
Final Payment: Due 90 days before departure and can be made online or via bank transfer with prior arrangement.
Travel Insurance: Mandatory to cover unforeseen events such as weather disruptions or travel delays.

Passenger numbers are limited to ensure a personalised experience.

Secure your spot today for this one-of-a-kind journey with Camel Treks Australia!

7-Days: Arrival & Departure Information

Arrive at your camel trek to a fully prepared campsite—dinner cooked, billy boiled, and the fire crackling under a star-filled sky. Relax in our premium Darche Eco Dee swags, designed for ultimate comfort with a high-density 70mm foam mattress, large entry doors for stunning views, and super-fine mesh for ventilation. Freestanding, hassle-free and over 7ft in length, these swags offer plenty of space to sit upright, making your Outback nights as comfortable as they are unforgettable.

A typical day on our camel trek unfolds with a serene rhythm:

Morning Delights: Begin with hot tea or coffee 1 hour after sunrise
Breakfast Bounty: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast amid the picturesque surroundings.
Camel Moments: Capture the beauty of camels browsing in the morning light.
Saddling Up: Observe or participate as cameleers prepare camels for the day's journey.
Scenic Walk: Set out for a walk with camels, cameleers, and fellow guests.
Midday Pause: Take a break for lunch halfway to the next campsite.
Camp Arrival: Reach a new campsite in the late afternoon.
Unsaddling Ritual: Join the process of removing saddles and blankets from camels.
Evening Atmosphere: Experience the magic of evenings with campfires, stories, and new friendships.
Guest Participation: Choose your level of involvement, from observing to hands-on engagement.
Hot Soak: At certain campsites a relaxing wash in the hot Artesian Basin waters is possible.

The trek's unhurried pace ensures you savour every moment of this unique holiday adventure. Each morning offers opportunities to witness and participate in the saddle-fitting process, fostering a deeper connection with the camels and the trek experience.

With an average daily trek of 10-15kms, there's ample time for exploration, relaxation, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Outback. Cameleers morning activities commence at sunrise, allowing early rising guests company and to appreciate the tranquil light, whilst others might best enjoy a leisurely start to their day.

Whether you're an early riser or prefer a bit more sleep, our camel trek accommodates your pace for an enriching and memorable experience.

DAY 1. Transfer Day and Arrival at the Clayton Station Wetlands Campground

If you have opted for the additional service departing Adelaide at 8:25 am on Saturday with the Stateliner Premier Coach Service from the Adelaide Central Bus Station, our Cameleers will welcome you at the Port Augusta Regional City, specifically at the Port Augusta East - Caltex Service Station, at 12:54 noon.

Our goal is to depart promptly, and along the journey, we break at the Flinders Food Co. Cafe in Hawker township for refreshments and lunch. We'll provide frequent bathroom breaks and pauses at notable locations en-route, taking you through the picturesque Flinders Ranges and into the Outback.

Day 2. Cameleers Rise Early for Your First Day of Trekking

Early in the morning, our Cameleers rise to prepare hot coffee and tea, setting up the breakfast/lunch tent with an array of options to cater to all tastes. Observe as we muster the camels, halter them, apply lead ropes, and feel free to become as hands-on as you'd like, brushing, blanketing, and saddling the camels before we embark on a full day's trek, covering typically between 10-15kms before setting up camp along the Clayton Creek.

The trees along the creek-line are home to varied birdlife, dingoes are regularly spotted, and the colours of the sunset never fail to disappoint. Once our Cameleers have completed their camel tasks, they set about lighting the evening campfire, boiling the billy, and preparing the evening meal, which frequently includes making damper breads with main meals and sweet puddings for dessert.

Days 3–5: Exploring Clayton and the Heart of the Tirari Desert

As we journey deeper into the Tirari Desert, the sand dunes grow taller and more striking, their ridges stretching endlessly northward. Between the dunes, vast inter-dune flats create contrasting landscapes of stark beauty. Running north to south, these dunes are punctuated by salt lakes and towering sand formations. The desert’s expansive terrain lies in South Australia’s Far North, encompassing part of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, with Lake Eyre North resting to the west.

Clayton and the Tirari Desert is a vibrant ecosystem, home to diverse flora and fauna. Dune crests and slopes feature sandhill canegrass and wattle, while the stable corridors host an array of grasses. Sparse acacia and eremophila shrubs grace the dune flanks, while the swales and interdune flats are dotted with saltbush and bluebush. Around floodplains and good rainfall catchment areas, coolibah woodlands thrive, adding depth to this arid wonderland.

The desert is also a sanctuary for threatened and vulnerable species such as the Crest-tailed mulgara, dusky hopping mouse, fawn hopping mouse, grey falcon, and woma python. A nighttime stroll with a head torch might reward you with sightings of these elusive creatures. Additionally, the Australian dingo makes its presence known here—listen for their distinctive howl as the stars blanket the sky. While they pose no threat, be sure to store your shoes safely at night!

Destinations You May Encounter:

Peachawarina Wetlands: A lush oasis attracting abundant birdlife and wildlife, thanks to artesian basin water. Soak under the stars in mineral-rich waters for a rejuvenating night’s sleep.
Kabeer Claypan: An ancient, fossil-laden claypan that resembles coral-like formations—a hidden marvel waiting to be explored.
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre: Witness the vast, otherworldly expanse of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. As we approach its edges enjoy the breathtaking sunset over this iconic landscape.
Dicka Dickana & Coodlunga: Near the Clayton Creek, this area is home to a wide variety of birdlife and offers soft creek beds for restful nights. Curious dingoes often make an appearance, adding a touch of wilderness.
Halfway Floodplain: Nestled at the southern end of the Tirari Dunes, this expansive floodplain greets the sunrise and holds remnants of Aboriginal life from generations past.
CaneGrass Swamp: A gibber plain signals our arrival at this lush wetland. Home to the majestic Brolga, Australia’s largest crane, this area is a haven for desert birdlife. Permanent waterholes and lush vegetation make it an idyllic campsite.
Illturina: Camp on a dune crest or near a serene wetland. Early risers can assist or photograph the morning’s activities as cameleers gather the camels for grooming and saddling.

Every journey on Clayton deepens our connection to this breathtaking part of Outback Australia.

Day 6: A Full Day of Desert Adventure

Cameleers rise early to prepare for the day, lighting the fire for fresh eco-billy coffee and an array of teas. In the kitchen tent, breakfast and lunch provisions are prepared, offering a variety of options. Early risers are invited to join the cameleers in preparing the camels, adding a hands-on start to the adventure.

Depending on the wind direction, the trek leads north, south, east or west guiding us to the southern end of the Tirari Desert—alongside the Clayton Creek and its resident birdlife.

Clayton and the Tirari Desert

Part of the Simpson–Strzelecki dune fields bioregion, the Tirari Desert spans 15,000 square kilometres in South Australia. Known for its parallel north–south sand dunes, the landscape features salt lakes, gibber plains, and corridors of coolibah-shrubland.

Dune crests are adorned with canegrass and sandhill wattle, while the swales are home to saltbush and bluebush. After rain, the gibber plains burst into life with ephemeral grasses and wildflowers, creating a vibrant, short-lived transformation. The Tirari’s unique features—clay pans, salt lakes, and desert pavements—offer an awe-inspiring experience. This trek provides a true immersion into Australia’s arid desert environment, with camels gliding effortlessly across the terrain, embodying the serenity and resilience of our historic Australian Afghan Cameleers.

Day 7: Farewell with Camels and Cameleers

Key stops along the way include:

Marree Oasis Café: A chance to purchase unique souvenirs.
Aboriginal Ochre Pits: A glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage.
The Flinders Food Co. Café, Hawker Township: Enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing the journey.

The journey back to Port Augusta is an adventure of its own. The return takes us along the iconic Birdsville Track, through the picturesque landscapes of the Remote Outback, Far North, and Central Flinders Ranges. Then winds through Quorn and into Port Augusta, where we bid farewell to Outback Australia.