Horse and Camel Riding

Though neither horses nor camels are native to Australia, both have been there since the early days of settlement and exploration to share in the hardships of setting up a brand new country. These faithful creatures remain a part of Australia’s identity, and have a special place in the hearts of many a lone wanderer.

There’s nothing quite like making the acquaintance of a gentle camel and having it take you to the remote parts of one of the harshest countries on earth. Camels were originally imported by the Afghan traders of the 1800’s, since they could travel the long distances over the desert that were required to keep trade alive. Some were released into the wild, and the descendents of those first camels now make up the only remaining wild camels on the planet. Ironically, they are now sold back to Middle Eastern countries that no longer have them. Many operators have trained camels that will take you out for an afternoon or for a few weeks.

Horses have an even longer history in Australia, the first coming out at the same time as the early settlers of the First Fleet. Horses in the harsh Aussie conditions developed over time into some of the sturdiest and most hardworking in the world, and have been a part of the country’s development since the beginning. You can still experience the thrill of droving cattle across the country, mustering a herd or exploring the rough terrain of the outback from the back of one of these trusty steeds.

Wherever you go, you’ll never get over the joy of sharing your Australian adventure with one of these wonderful quadruped companions.