Time for a roadtrip and camel trek!! First stage, Ringwood to Meningie (South Australia) via Port Fairy and Robe.  Camping in caravan parks and loving the sights and sounds.

Heading northwards from Meningie to Crystal Brook.  Weather improving as I clock up the kilometres.  So many amazing green paddocks.  Cooking for myself.

From Crystal Brook to outback town of Marree and eventually Clayton Station, 60kms NE of Maree, for the start of the camel trek

Stopped to enjoy the Wadlata Centre at Port Augusta.  Very informative about the geological history and social (indigenous and white) development of Australia.

Called into outback towns of Quorn, Parachilna (ancient fossils), Copley (quandong pie with ice cream!) and Farina (intended early wheat centre but drought stopped that).  Finally arrived in dusty Marree after one week on the road.  Nearly 1600kms.

Since Lake Eyre had water in it, I decided to take a small plane trip to get the aerial view which was spectacular.  Loved seeing Marree Man and actual water in the lake.  Unfortunately it will all be evaporated by the end of October.

Aus Geographic – On a remote and empty desert plateau, on the banks of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, South Australia, is the world’s second-largest geoglyph. Unlike the 1000-year-old Nazca Lines in Peru that hold the title of the biggest geoglyph, the artwork that became known as the Marree Man is of more recent origin. Located 60km north-west of the tiny town of Marree, it was first spotted from the air by a local pilot in 1998. Investigations were immediately launched into the work, which is 4.2km long and shows a man hunting with a stick.

Local pub-owner Phil Turner bought the Marree Hotel seven years ago partly on the strength of the Marree Man. “I got carried away, like everyone else, with the myth, the mystery and the intrigue, the fact they couldn’t find the people who did it,” he says. “The Marree Man was such an attraction – scenic flights were helping business – and it was part of our decision to buy the pub.”

Theories about who created it sprouted and grew in all different directions. Investigations centred for a while around the US Army, thanks to the Man’s proximity to the joint US-Australian defence projects of the Woomera Prohibited Area, and the sending of press releases purporting to be written by its creator that included US terminology. In 1999 a plaque was discovered near the Man’s head showing a US flag, and another flag was found in a nearby pit, although it’s been suggested both were red herrings. Inevitably, someone also proposed a theory that it was the work of aliens.

Another possibility is that it was created by SA artist Bardius Goldberg, reported by the Adelaide Advertiser to have told friends he’d been commissioned – and paid $10,000 – to create an artwork visible from space. However, Goldberg died in 2002, and with him the possibility of discovering the truth of that theory.

Having reached Marree, I then continued northwards to Clayton Station, 60kms on the Birdsville Track which thankfully, had been recently graded.  Kept my speed between 40kms-60kms and reached my destination after 1.5hours.  Collected a bit of dust!!!

On to the amazing camel trek!  Nine days travelling in the Lake Eyre North region with Karen and Paul Ellis, Julian the amazing French chef, along with cameleers Brian and Coby.  what an incredible experience!  I rode at every opportunity, loved the expansive horizons and the camaraderie of the other nine guests.  Happily camels do not spit and provided a gentle, steady, swaying ride through the sand.  Weather wise we had four warm days while the other five were quite windy and cold due to a severe cold front pushing through southern Australia.  Five-six layers of clothing were needed during the day!  Great campfires, sensational menu and cosy, warm swag/bedding.

We 4WDrove to a small section of Lake Eyre North which was as dry as chip!  Having done the flight over the area, it was great to know that there was an extensive amount of water further to the west and south.  Some camel bones were discovered when there had been a previous wet and the poor animals had become bogged.  A sympathetic farmer came out and put them out of their misery.  One of the guests gave Roger the gnome a photo opportunity.  Apparently he is a well travelled gnome!

Back to the trek and as you can see from the photos, we didn’t suffer too much.

Looking closely at a dromedary - 
the calloused sections of their body help protect them from the 
continual resting on harsh ground.  I didn't know that the callous
under their chest is called a "pedastal" and it bears their weight
when they "hoosh."

Final leg of trek.  More campfires, more amazing food, sand dunes and a rest at Kelly’s Bore, a hot water opportunity for washing the hair and body.  Sensational!!!!!!

My testimonial for Camel Treks Australia:

I cannot recommend a trek with Camel Treks Australia highly enough. I have just returned from a nine day trek /10 guests with Karen, Paul and the fabulous crew, departing Clayton Station north of Marree and travelling in the arid Lake Eyre and Tirari Desert region. 

The many positives from my experience:

Total care and attention to guest safety and enjoyment at all times

Absolute dedication and concern for the wellbeing of the 17 camels throughout the journey

Detailed explanation by Karen as to the harnessing, saddling and appropriate techniques used with the camels including plenty of hands on involvement by guests – shepherding camels from overnight grazing, brushing camels before saddling, blanketing and saddling camels ready for the day’s trek

Ongoing enthusiastic and upbeat attitude from all crew during the nine days

Information on local aboriginal culture

The feast of food! Secret weapon, fantastic French chef Julian, ably assisted by Brian and Coby, served an amazing array of breakfasts, lunches and dinners including an impressive daily assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables.   Especially loved the grilled zucchinis with tasty topping; potato and olive mash; to die for chocolate and orange flan; fresh garden and kale salads with delicious French dressing; freshly baked damper; daily porridge and cooked breakfasts; the amazing chocolate cake; dhal and patties; aprucot and coconut rice cream

 Plenty of drinking water available at all times, no rationing

Thoroughly organised and well prepared trek with detailed risk management back up to cater for any event or contingency

Willingness to liaise with guests as to preferred daily program with option of staying two nights at hot springs campsite to enjoy warm bathing and bird life

4WD morning trip to Lake Eyre provided a different experience

Comfortable swags with plenty of warm bedding

Abundant supply of baby wipes for personal “bathing”

Two nights at Kelly’s Bore/hot springs with tarped bathing holes

Two toilet tents with comfortable arrangements and copious hand sanitiser

Mac the camp dog who, although only having two hind legs due to an accident in his early life, used his special wheeled harness to mingle happily with everybody

Terrific group of nine other travellers who bonded really well and shared many laughs

Mostly blue sky days in early August and stunning, starry nights. 

Congratulations Karen and Paul on providing an amazing and unforgettable experience in remote South Australia.  Your vast experience and expertise with camels and your obvious love of these special creatures has enabled you to provide a thoroughly enjoyable trekking experience.

And finally, the trip home via the Flinders Ranges, green green green Jamestown, historic Burra, Morgan on the Murray River and Ouyen and the nearby art silo trail in six small wheat towns.

So, a wonderful travel experience.  In total I drove 3300kms, averaged 5L /100km in my fuel efficient Prius and enjoyed some wonderful blue sky weather while poor old Melbourne suffered with wind and rain.  It was great to get away for three weeks.  Sunny was very well looked after by some young English sitters and gave me a huge greeting on my return.  Thank you all for your ongoing interest and support!  Cheers  Kim  xx