The Camel Story: How Camels Shaped the Flinders Ranges

When most people think of the Australian Outback, they picture endless red earth, rugged mountain ranges, and vast salt lakes. But few realise that one of the most iconic animals to roam these arid landscapes isn’t native at all — it's the camel. And nowhere is their legacy more evident than in South Australia's Flinders Ranges.

Camels in Australia: A Solution to a Harsh Land

The story of camels in Australia began in the mid-19th century, when European settlers were struggling to unlock the vast interior of the continent. Horses and bullocks simply weren’t up to the task of hauling goods across the blistering deserts and saltbush plains. Enter the camel — nature's ultimate desert traveller.

Between the 1860s and early 1900s, thousands of camels were imported to Australia, primarily from India, Afghanistan, and Arabia. Alongside them came experienced cameleers — many of whom were of Afghan, Pakistani, Persian, and Indian descent — hired to manage these animals and navigate the unforgiving Outback. Though often collectively called “Afghans,” these men came from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

Camels in the Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges, stretching over 400 kilometres through South Australia's mid-north, became a key region for camel transport. With its rugged gorges, ancient mountain ridges, and sparse water sources, the terrain was challenging — but perfect for the sure-footed camel.

From the late 1800s, camels were vital to the development of remote settlements, sheep stations, and mining ventures across the Flinders and beyond. They hauled wool, food, building supplies, and equipment across distances that would have been impossible for other animals. Camels were also used on exploration expeditions into the far north and central deserts, including those led by explorers like Ernest Giles and Peter Warburton.

The Legacy of the Afghan Cameleers

The cameleers, often referred to as "Ghans," were instrumental in establishing reliable transport routes across inland South Australia. Many settled near the towns and tracks where they worked, building mosques — some of which still stand today — and contributing to the cultural diversity of the region.

In towns like Marree and Beltana, remnants of this history remain, from camel yards to gravesites and historical buildings. The old "Ghan" railway, which eventually extended through the region, takes its name from these early cameleers.

Camels Go Wild — The Rise of the Feral Herds

As trucks and rail replaced camel transport in the mid-20th century, many animals were simply released into the wild. Far from struggling to survive, camels thrived in Australia's deserts and semi-arid regions, including the far reaches of the Flinders Ranges.

Today, Australia is home to the world’s largest population of wild camels — an estimated 1 million — and they continue to roam parts of the Outback, including the northern Flinders. While they are a fascinating link to Australia’s pioneering history, feral camels can also cause environmental damage, particularly in fragile desert ecosystems.

Camels in the Flinders Today

Though their working days are long gone, camels remain part of the cultural fabric of the Flinders Ranges. Visitors can still encounter them — sometimes in the wild, or... on the AW Outback Camel Trek which operates at least once a year. 

See the tour here.