Our History
The Outback Camel Company has been exploring the vast deserts of inland Australia since 1976, when legendary outback tour pioneer Rex Ellis completed Australia's first commercial camel expedition - across the Simpson Desert.
​
Using our string of pack camels to carry all supplies and equipment, we proudly honour the tradition of the pioneering Afghan cameleers, whose vital contributions shaped the exploration, development, and sustenance of inland Australia.
​
Our camels serve as one of the last living links to the golden era of camel exploration in Australia. As the only camel operator in the country that actively and continuously explores all of the continent's great deserts, we remain true to this enduring legacy, unconfined by any single region.
​
In 2025 we have some short treks in the eastern Simpson Desert in Queensland and South Australia.
Walking alongside our camels is a serene and immersive way to experience the beauty and vastness of the Australian deserts. Our camel string is entirely self-sufficient - no backup vehicles & no wagons - allowing us to travel almost anywhere in the authentic style of the explorers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. This approach not only provides a practical means of travel but also offers a genuine, back-to-basics Australian bush experience.​
The arrival of the first OCC expedition at the Birdsville Hotel in 1976. OCC founder Rex Ellis riding the lead camel. This was the first camel expedition to occur in Australia since Cecil Madigan's 1939
Simpson Desert Expedition.
Our treks are participation-based experiences where your active involvement is greatly appreciated by our cameleers.
You may be invited to assist with the daily tasks that keep the trek running smoothly. Comprehensive pre-departure information will ensure you are well-prepared for the enriching experience of working alongside the camels. Tasks could include shepherding the camels in the mornings and evenings as they feed, helping to saddle them, or loading equipment—all under the guidance of our experienced cameleers.
Please note that your level of participation may vary from day to day, depending on the decisions of our senior cameleer and the needs of the trek.
If you prefer not to work directly with the camels, that’s perfectly fine—there are always other tasks where your help will be valued.
Meals are cooked over the campfire by your Outback Camel Company cameleers, but aspiring chefs are always welcome to lend a hand!
It’s important to note that our treks and expeditions are not camel riding safaris, nor are they about “conquering” the desert. Instead, they encompass a rich variety of experiences: extreme desert adventures, the discovery of Indigenous habitation sites, remote desert bushwalking, the observation of intricate arid ecosystems, and the profound, simple joy of being fully immersed in the wilderness, far removed from the constraints of modern society.
For many, a camel trek or expedition becomes a holistic journey of self-discovery, offering a pivotal life moment. The slow pace of nomadic life awakens the senses, fostering a deep connection to the life, beauty, diversity, and shifting moods of the Simpson Desert.