Camel Treks Australia
Passion, Knowledge and Experience
The success of a tour can hinge entirely on the performance and abilities of the guides. This is precisely why Camel Treks Australia employs, recruits, and trains the very best in the industry.
Each trek is led by an experienced Head Cameleer, with the support of Senior Cameleers and experienced camp shift crew, ensuring a high level of expertise and professionalism throughout the journey.
Trained by Australian bush legends of a bygone era and further educated by nomadic camel communities in India, Turkey, Mongolia, Arab Nations, and The Sahara, the staff of Camel Treks Australia have received a comprehensive education in the art of being with camels. In addition to expanding their knowledge and expertise in this field, their commitment to ongoing learning also enables them to incorporate culinary cuisines that are enjoyed around the campfire.
We are proud to be a leading natural camel training company, dedicated to gentle and compassionate methods. Our camels are treated with the utmost care and respect, free from hurtful nose pegs, chain halters, or any control devices that could cause them discomfort or harm.
At the heart of our business is a deep appreciation for these remarkable desert companions, who are often misunderstood. Many of our camels have come to us from challenging circumstances, and it has been a privilege to witness them relax, heal, and thrive under our care.
When you join us, you’re not only embarking on an unforgettable journey through the stunning Outback of South Australia—you’re also supporting a life filled with kindness and dignity for our camels. For over 30 years, we’ve been committed to giving them the most natural and fulfilling life possible, all while promoting eco-friendly exploration of this beautiful region.
Thank you for being part of this journey, exploring the website and perhaps trekking with us!
Camel Treks Australia is
Paul Ellis and Karen Jane Ellis
Paul now in his early 60's began working with camels aged 28 and has developed an innate ability to read them whether in the yards or out in the desert landscapes. His extensive experience has made working with camels second nature, and he takes particular pleasure in working with untouched camels straight out of the desert, observing as their unique personalities emerge.
Prior to meeting Karen, he owned and operated a successful camel riding focused business. He developed an interest in leading and assisting camel treks after working with Rex Ellis at Bush Safari Co. in the 1980s. During this time, Paul was fortunate enough to learn from several experienced camel handlers, including Gordon Hampel, Jimmy Talbot, and Noel Fullerton. However, it was his time spent with Jim Lowe, who trained some of the first camels and donkeys for tourism in South Australia, that had the greatest influence on Paul's understanding of camels and Outback Australia.
Guests often praise Paul for his naturalist knowledge and assistance with identification of flora, fauna, reptile and geology formations. He is always available for evening chats around the campfire. Within Camel Treks Australia Paul is responsible for the camel saddlery, camp shift logistics, all vehicle and Camel Farm maintenance.
Paul is a licensed microlight pilot, skilled dirt bike rider with a competitive history in motocross, qualified in Permaculture directly under Bill Mollison, an amateur bee keeper of many years and certified numerous times in remote first aid. He has a background as a professional aborist and alternative builder, with a particular interest in using natural building materials and recycled hard wood timbers. He is a keen stonemason and currently working on an exciting project to restore an 1860's stone hut in the Far North Flinders Ranges. He has travelled through much of Europe pursuing an interest in microlight craft, and multiple times through the Thar Desert in India, the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, and the mountains of Turkey, living alongside nomadic cameleers and gaining a deep respect for traditional camel cultures.
How it all began
Karen is the Director of Camel Treks Australia and started her journey with camels over 29 years ago at the age of 21 when she bought her first camels named Aloka and Najara from Paddy McHugh. For several years, she worked with the renowned cameleer Lionel Keegan at the Wooyung Camel Farm, where she trained camels, led tours, participated in display camel races, and gained hands-on experience by living beside the camels without running water or power. Despite the challenging conditions, she thoroughly enjoyed this immersive lifestyle with camels.
In the 1990s, Karen received an invitation from a Member of Parliament to attend a camel race that aimed to showcase camels to visiting Sheiks from Arab Nations. It was at this event that she met Paul. Their meeting led to the development of three camel-related businesses and the formation of a family with three adult children of their own, and three adopted, now adult children. Eventually, they settled with Camel Treks Australia in 2013 and have been operating the business ever since.
Paul and Karen commenced Blue Sky Camel Charters in the year 2000 facilitating camel experiences, via beach journeys and camel riding on the Fleurieu Peninsula along the Sir Richard Peninsula in Goolwa, and Encounter Bay at Victor Harbour, also forest adventures within Forestry S.A. Countless events, functions, festivals, film and photography projects, both private and for the South Australian Tourism Commission were attended.
They changed their business name in 2004 to Camel Tours & Treks S.A in order to better represent the development of extended expeditions with a naturalist focus within the World Heritage listed Coorong National Park. These expedition style treks were assisted by Camp Coorong and Wilderness Lodge local Aboriginal Ngarrindjeri guides in an important area for Aboriginal communities, with middens dotted throughout the sandy landscape.
Paul and Karen, looking to incorporate a nature-focused experience and live in a place that best suited the physiology of the camel, felt a natural shift towards facilitating extended trekking journeys in Outback Australia in 2013. This decision allowed them to incorporate the rich history of the Australian Afghan Cameleers into their lives and treks, while also engaging with and supporting the Adnyamathanha Aboriginal culture and history. As a result, Camel Treks Australia emerged as a unique venture.
Life on Beltana Station
Camel Treks Australia from 2017 - 2022 lived on Beltana Station, the birthplace of camel history in Australia where they led camel treks and served as caretakers. This allowed Paul and Karen to intimately connect with the station's rich history. Beltana Station is a historical crown jewel of South Australia, established 163 years ago and owned by notable figures such as Sir Thomas Elder and Robert Barr Smith.
Sir Thomas Elder was a practical supporter of exploration who believed that camels could solve the transport problems of the outback. He imported breeding camels of different types for speed, stamina, and strength, and hired Afghans to manage them. The camels bred at Beltana proved their worth in several historic expeditions, including the overland telegraph line from Adelaide to Darwin and Peter Egerton Warburton's 4000-mile journey from the center of Australia to the western coast. Sir Thomas financed these and other expeditions, lent camels and drivers to genuine explorations, and helped open up much land through his ardent interest in exploration. It is reputed that over 60,000 camels were bred on Beltana Station.
Tours for The Royal Zoological Society of S.A
While operating Camel Tours & Treks S.A, Karen also took on a role as an independent keeper at Monarto Zoological Park. As part of an agreement between Camel Tours & Treks S.A and the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Paul and Karen provided a team of camels. While Paul managed the coastal camel experiences, Karen trained the team to walk alongside various arid zone animals exhibits, including rhino, cheetah, zebra, and giraffe. This training took several months before riders could enjoy the three-hour guided tour. Karen learned a lot during this period, especially while working closely with the rhino. She had to pay close attention to the angle from which the camels approached based on the wind direction before visual arrival. The visually disadvantaged rhino often reacted with sudden turns that startled the normally sedate camels.
Inspiration and Experience
Karen's interest in camels led her to work across a wide spectrum of cameleering, and she continues to expand her understanding of camels and their behaviour. Until his passing in mid-2014, she was mentored by Jim Lowe in a relationship that mimicked that of a father and daughter. Karen had her first camel ride with him as a young child with her parents and sisters, and he remained the greatest influence on her cameleer journey, passing away in her arms within a stone hut in the Flinders Ranges. Devastated for a very long time afterwards, Karen has strived to continue forward with his gentle, quiet approach and he is ever living in her heart and mind.
Karen also collaborated with the legendary Noel Fullerton who was a master at communicating with people and camels alike. Together they set about recording his life and knowledge of camels, with the intention of producing a camel training book. They intensely spent the last three months of his life putting his voice into recordings, just prior to his passing in September 2015. She intends to collate this information into a camel handling guide, including her own successful treatments for worms, mange, and bot fly, along with suggestions for improving gut health in camels. Karen is grateful to remain in contact with the legendary Rex Ellis of the long established Bush Safari Co. who has generously offered his guidance and support to pursue the facilitation of longer desert expeditions with guests.
Karen and Lionel Keegan, whom she started learning about camels with in 1996, still share a deep connection built on trust. They lived and breathed camels, establishing Lionel's Wooyung Camel Farm in Northern New South Wales, and created wonderful memories of discovery and pioneering.
Paul and Karen have worked in a long-term partnership with the Ngaanyatjarra Camel Company, training and exporting camels to the United Arab Emirates. Karen has accompanied camels on flights and provided professional handovers for the Sheik's staff. She has also presented at Australian government-supported conferences in Arab nations, sharing her knowledge of camel handling and welfare guidelines for importation. In addition, Karen has been a guest of several UAE Sheiks, visited numerous international camel facilities and dairies (including the Al Ain Dairy Company in Dubai, the International Camel Research Centre & associated dairy in Bikaner, India ), and served as a competition judge several times at the Bikaner Camel Festival in India. Paul and Karen have also formed close relationships in India and with many other families in countries with a strong camel culture.
Travel and Education
Paul and Karen have extensively travelled to camel communities in India, Mongolia, the Sahara, and Turkey, immersing themselves in local culture and learning traditional camel-handling practices. Karen, a certified Eco Guide, has completed multiple remote first aid trainings, and together, they have mentored numerous aspiring cameleers. Their hands-on, immersive approach to training has made a lasting impact, with many cameleers tracing their careers back to their time with Paul and Karen at Camel Treks Australia.
Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the team, often sharing his expertise in flora, fauna, reptiles, and geology around the evening campfire with guests. Within Camel Treks Australia, he is responsible for camel saddlery, camp shift logistics, vehicle upkeep, and Camel Farm maintenance. As a licensed microlight pilot and experienced dirt bike rider with a background in competitive motocross, he also holds certifications in remote first aid, has studied Permaculture directly under Bill Mollison, and has years of experience as an arborist and alternative builder, focusing on natural materials and reclaimed hardwood. Currently, he’s restoring an 1860s stone hut in the Far North Flinders Ranges, showcasing his skills as a dedicated stonemason.
Karen’s journey before Camel Treks Australia began in the arts, where she trained as a professional artist and teacher specialising in various performance modalities. This foundation led her to pursue certifications in Classical Ashtanga Yoga and Joseph Pilates' original 'Contrology' method. She also studied Vedic philosophies, which she incorporates into her regular visits to India.
Each year, Paul and Karen attend Satyalok in Varanasi, India, where they deepen their understanding of Kriya Yoga. Karen holds qualifications in teaching, performing arts, kinesiology, and guiding, and she has completed an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management. Her current focus is on fostering positive camel-human relationships and deepening her studies in Classical Yoga and Kinesiology. She considers herself a lifelong learner, committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.
Paul and Karen enjoy spending time with their three adult children in Australia and their three adopted children in India. They seek out places of solitude and reflection, often in remote landscapes. Recently, their travels led them to the Himalayan caves once hallowed by meditative rishis. Together, they have been featured in and contributed to various film and photography projects. For further details, please refer to this websites Film page.
Awards and Recognition
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Trip Advisor 'Certificate of Excellence' 2017, 2018, and 2019
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2006 South Australia 'Best Tour Operator' Award
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2016, 2021, 2022 Finalists S.A 'Best Adventure Tourism' Business
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2017 South Australian Tourism Award 'Silver Medalists'
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2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards Finalists 'Adventure and Eco-Tourism'
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2022 South Australian Tourism Award 'Eco Tourism Bronze Medalist'
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2022, 2023 Trip Advisor 'Travellers Choice'
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2023 Nominated in the Australia Travel & Hospitality Awards
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2023 THA Travel & Hospitality Awards - Winner 'Adventure Tour Company of the Year for S.A'
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2023 South Australian Tourism Awards Finalists 'Eco-Tourism'
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2023 South Australian Tourism Awards Silver Medalists 'Eco-Tourism'
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Listed in S.A's 'Top 100 Bucket List Experiences'
We are proud to have received these awards and recognitions for our commitment to delivering exceptional tourism experiences.
Professor Rafat Al Jassim
Camel Treks Australia is proud to have Professor Rafat Al Jassim as our dedicated camel advisor. With over two decades of experience in nutrition biochemistry and gut microbiology, Professor Al Jassim is a respected authority in his field.
He is currently an Honorary Associate Professor at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Camelid Science. Recently, he was elected as the Chairman of ISOCARD, the International Society of Camelid Research and Development. With his expertise and guidance, we are committed to providing the highest standards of camel health and welfare in the Australian camel industry.
Our Teachers
The Camel King
Rest in Peace Noel Fullerton
Born: 1934 Adelong, Temora NSW - September 6th, 2015 Quorn, SA.
Noel grew up in the Northen Riverina at Temora. His family were fruit carters refered to as ‘bucket men’ because they sold fruit in buckets. Noel drove road trains for years and moved to the Northern Territory. It was here that one of his sons married an Afghan, Sallay Mahomet’s daughter, Desray. His next door neighbour was old Roy Morgan who looked after a few hundred camels for Elders and Gool Mahomet used to live with Noel's family. Noel commenced his camel life in earnest from his 40's and was a living link to the Australian Afghan community and the last Australian man to be taught by the Afghans. Gool’s father came out in 1872 to work with camels. Gool carried on with camels until the 1930’s. Another mate of Noel's was Arthur Liddle, Arthur’s father, Bill Liddle opened up Tempe Downs, Angus Downs and Kings Canyon. Noel told me he learnt much also from the Liddle's.
Grandpa Jim
Rest in Peace James Sanderson Lowe Known to all as Jim, Dad and Grandpa - 23/11/1933 - 28/6/2014. We miss him so very much, Jim Lowe was Camel Treks Australia's guiding light, a down-to-earth practical man with a multitude of skills and a wealth of horse, donkey and camel experience spanning over 60 years. Wagons, desert trekking, carnivals & weddings, movies, commercials and a camel beach rides business for over 30 years. Jim walked thousands of kilometres with camels, across the Nullabour Plain and Lake Eyre to south of Adelaide. He has led camels and driven teams of donkeys & horses in parades and festivals. Jim's patience and skill allowed him to create everything required to complete the task, animal training, building saddles, wagons, harnesses, halters, packs & ropes. In his younger days, a professional rodeo & buck jump rider, Jim abounded with stories of fun, joy, challenges and how to make the most out of life.
