Camel Treks Australia - Information

Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd Postal: P.O Box 95, Hawker, S.A 5434 Email: [email protected]

Web: www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au M. (+61) 432 236 131

Hello and thank you for your enquiry and/or booking with Camel Treks Australia.

Camel treks are offered at an enjoyable steady pace with a normal maximum of 8 trekkers. Groups are welcome to contact us with more than 8 guests and we also cater for corporate and school camps.

Camel Treks Australia's standard treks are 100% camping. You can choose to sleep in fully netted swags or within a tent. We recommend swags because the night sky is famous for its clarity in the Flinders Ranges and there is nothing like falling asleep gazing at the stars. Photography treks offer optional accommodation as well as camping under the stars. Accommodation is available before, during, and following photography treks. Some guests prefer this option, whilst others choose a 100% camping experience in a swag or tent outdoors. Camel Treks Australia can assist guests that choose to arrive earlier or depart later, fully accommodated options are available.

If you’ve just made your booking, we look forward to facilitating your next adventure and kindly ask that you provide the following so we can make your stay as comfortable as possible:

● Your full name and any extra full names if you’re in a group ● Your selected or preferred dates ● Whether you require bedding for the provided swag? (additional $30) ● Do you require a return bus service from Adelaide - Hawker? ● Do you have any specific dietary needs, health challenges or allergies?

Please email us the above information at your earliest convenience so that we can begin making your arrangements.

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/



Frequently Asked Questions Transport

Check-In

What’s Included

Weather

Guest Numbers

Fitness and Family

Dietary Needs

Itinerary

What to Bring

Sleeping Bag and Bedding

Medical and Personal First Aid

Health and Travel Insurance

Emergencies

What about Toilets!

How to book a Camel Trek in 2016/2017

Lastly...




Transport Travelling with Genesis Tour & Charter’s Most Camel Trek dates are aligned with Genesis Tour and Charter's return bus schedule from Adelaide City. Genesis delivers guests to the township of Hawker where they are welcomed by cameleers and then transferred to Wonoka Station. Genesis Tour & Charter service can be booked directly by guests at their own discretion.

Arrival: 2016: The Genesis Transport Company runs from Adelaide to Hawker on Wednesdays and Saturdays and can pick you up at your accommodation in town.

2017: The Genesis Transport Company will run from Adelaide to Hawker on Mondays and Thursdays and can pick you up at your accommodation in town.

Departure:

2016: The Genesis Tour & Charter Company offers return transfers from Hawker to Adelaide on Thursdays and Sundays, departing at approximately 10:30a.m.

2017: The Genesis Transport Company will run from Hawker to Adelaide on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing at approximately 10:30a.m.

Please advise Genesis Tour & Charter at your time of booking that you are entitled to a discount as a Camel Treks Australia guest. Fares are normally $110 per person one way but our guests are discounted at $90 per person each way.

We also offer a pick-up/return service from Port Augusta for guests traveling from Adelaide with Premier Stateliner bus service when Genesis’ timetable does not align with trek dates. Please contact us prior to booking any Premier Stateliner service.

If you are travelling in your own car… If you are travelling in your own car or a rented vehicle, please arrive at Wonoka Station between 1:30pm and 2:30pm on the day of your scheduled trek. Please note- Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd is unable to accommodate guests arriving earlier than 1.30pm as we are with the camels attending to trek preparations. All guests that arrive independently start their Camel Trek on Wonoka Station unless otherwise notified via email.

We are based in the Central Flinders Ranges, 400km north of Adelaide City in South Australia. Camel Treks traverse two Stations, Mt.Little and Wonoka Stations. They are neighbours in The Central Flinders Ranges, located North of Hawker nestled amongst the hills of the Flinders Ranges with the Elder Ranges to the north east, the Wide Range to the east, Wonoka Bluff to the south and Mern Mora Hill to the north west. Once you've arrived in The Flinders Ranges it’s easy to appreciate why this region is fast becoming one of Australia's most sought after destinations.




To find Wonoka Station travel 8 kms north of the township of Hawker, S.A. Wonoka Station is sign posted on the right hand side. Enter Wonoka Station driving a further 7kms until you reach Wonoka Station Homestead at which point staff and cameleers will be waiting to meet you on your scheduled day of arrival between 1.30pm2.30pm.

Wonoka Station Address: Wonoka Station Road (Wonoka Homestead), Hawker SA 5434.

Check-In Check-in with Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd is from between 1.30pm-2.30pm on all treks. Please note: we cannot accommodate guests arriving earlier than 1.30pm as we are with the camels attending to trek preparations.

Check-in for Overnight Safaris is between 11.00 and 11.30am. Return time the following day is 11.30am and pre-booked station accommodation for Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd guests is available from 1pm onwards.

Check-in for Day Tours is between 11.00 - 11.30am, returning at approximately 5pm.

What’s Included on a Camel Trek On scheduled treks we depart from Wonoka Station between 1.30 - 3.30pm, this allows people either driving or travelling with Genesis Tour and Charter time to arrive. Lunch is not provided on Day 1, guests can however look forward to a camp fire and tasty camp oven meal that evening. All camping needs are provided, including swags, mattress, and if pre-arranged you can hire a clean sleeping bag with liner, blanket and pillow ; tents are also available. We don't include any pre or post alcohol as drink driving offenses can include riding camels as well as driving cars! We serve a limited amount of red wine and port, shared around the nightly camp-fire. Guests are also welcome to bring their favourite drop. We provide a special breakfast on the final day of each trek. Treks conclude around midday on the final day of departure, lunch and the evening meal are not provided. Guests are welcome to stay for the final unsaddling and release of the camels into their home paddock with the rest of the camel herd family.

Weather All Camel Treks operate outside of the Australian summer months from April through October. Weather can vary throughout our operating season and affect our treks. In the event of wet weather, we use accommodation, covered camping grounds, and an historical heritage listed stone hut. In the rare event of extreme rain on a trek day, we four wheel drive into Hawker and visit the Art Gallery, General Store Café and dine at the famous outback Prairie Hotel located in Parachilna.




Expect warmer weather in April/early May and late September/October. The cooler months are June, July and August. Generally, we expect average daytime highs in the mid 20's and skies are usually clear and sunny—perfect conditions for being outdoors.

Guest numbers Camel Treks Australia limits their trek number participants and having small groups mean that each trek can be a personalised experience with the maximum amount of riding! Camel treks are offered at an enjoyable steady pace with a normal maximum of 8 trekkers. Groups are welcome to contact us with more than 8 guests and we also cater for corporate and school camps.

Fitness & Family It is expected that each participant be in good health and able to combine walking and riding throughout the duration of his or her chosen trek. Riding is not compulsory and most of our guests are typically enjoying retirement.

We have easy access to Hawker Hospital, skilled nurses and a local Doctor, however individuals experiencing known health challenges are required to seek medical approval prior to participation and encouraged to attend either a full day camel riding tour or an overnight tour in preference to the longer 3-5 day Treks. We also recommend comfortable station accommodation either side of the one night camped under the stars. Photography Treks suit persons that have less than optimal health as they can be fully accommodated and four-wheel drive station transfers are an option.

Parents of children aged between 4 and 14 years are encouraged to join the '4 Day Family Treks', currently offered in the July South Australian public school holidays (excludes photography trek). Family groups are welcome to contact us with their own preferred dates.

The owners of Camel Treks Australia have raised their three children on treks and are very kid-friendly. Families are encouraged to book into 'Family Treks' which proves relaxing for parents and kids!

Dietary Needs Our cameleers will be your personal guides, you'll find yourself in great company, and if you like can enjoy a hands-on experience of helping to prepare tasty camp oven meals over the fire. If you want to sit back that's fine too. Trekkers compliment our use of fresh vegetables and fruits. All of our flours and grains as well as much of the dairy used is certified organic. Cameleer staff live their lives on treks and need to keep healthy, you'll be eating good tucker.




We can happily accommodate people with dietary restrictions. Please notify us at the time of booking so we can ensure that your needs are met throughout the trek. We cannot guarantee to accommodate your request if we are not notified of your dietary restriction in advance. The station is in a remote area and the purchase of specific food supplies must be planned in advance.

Please advise when booking if you are vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, dairy, wheat, or nut free, or if you have any other dietary concerns or food allergies. We would also like to be informed if any of your allergies lead to anaphylactic shock.

Itinerary Camel Trek days are spent with camels and other guests in the Central Flinders Ranges enjoying photography, bushwalking, camel riding, and many bring a good read and drawing utensils.

Treks are all inclusive: breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and the evening meal. Wine is offered for those who like a drop. With satisfied bellies, we share stories around the camp-fire and retire to swags (or accommodation if you have booked this option) for an evening under the stars. You'll have time to enjoy the sunrise and morning bird songs whilst enjoying breakfast being served around 8am. Guests regularly compliment our camp cooks and menu which uses fresh ingredients and caters for all needs including allergies.

Camel riding treks are a great experience for anyone who is in good general health. You do not have to be gym fit, however if you are a person who is unhappy at the idea of leaving home comforts and technology behind, you might not cope as well as a office worker who is prepared to be out bush. Hair dryers don't plug into gum trees! We have had many guests enjoy trekking days yet require additional support staying in accommodation because they need access to power for medical reasons. Both Wonoka and Mt. Little Stations do have accommodation options and staff can provide a pickup service in the morning prebreakfast and a drop off service in the evening postdinner.

What to Bring? Below you will find information to assist you with your booking or to consider before you book with us. This information is a guide and offered in good faith. It suggests what to bring covering the average range of conditions likely to be found on you camel trek journey in the Central Flinders Ranges. We work and trek In remote areas where abnormal conditions can prevail at any time, and all adventures can therefore be subject to unexpected changes. In order to enjoy your camel trek you should be arrive prepared to be flexible where necessary in the rare event of wet weather.

You will need to bring two packs/bags:




Bag #1: Your day bag should be able to contain essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, a broad brimmed cap or hat, camera, lunch, water bottle that can hold at least 1 litre and any other personal effects such as medication. The camels carry additional water for the group, and we can top up your 1 litre bottles during the day.

Bag # 2: This luggage can hold all your other overnight camping needs and clothes that will remain in our vehicles that are transported to each campsite for you to access. You may leave any non-essentials at the station.

The following suggestions have been compiled after many years of camel trekking in the Central Flinders Ranges and South Australia:

Sleeping bag rated from five to zero degrees Celsius. Night temperatures vary each month. We hire sleeping bags with clean liners at $30 per person per tour.

1 litre drink water bottle which we will refill throughout the day/journey.

Warm jacket and beanie for cool mornings and evenings.

Water-proof/wind-proof jacket/pants, especially mid-year trekkers.

Long and short sleeve shirts/T-shirts comfortable enough for riding and walking.

Long pants for riding and walking; we do not recommend shorts.

Broad brimmed sun hat and fly net. ( we do have spare hats and nets )

Sunscreen and fly/insect repellent.

A second pair of shoes for around the campsite, if desired.

Basic toiletries including hand sanitary wipes; showers will likely be an option at one point during the trek.

Camera with fully charged batteries and spare batteries as we have limited re-charging abilities. Extra memory cards.

Head torch and larger touch if desired.

Towel and swimming costume; if weather is warm you might swim in the water holes!

We provide limited wine in the evenings; guests are welcome to BYO their favourite drop.

Personal Medications

Comfortable boots/shoes that allow for walking over varied terrain and socks per days of trek.

IMPORTANT – Your feet will be busier than normal and comfortable footwear is probably the most important consideration before your camel Trek. Expensive new hiking shoes and boots are not required for treks. If you do need to buy new shoes, please allow enough time to wear them in. Being equipped with comfortable shoes will ensure your feet remain blister free and you have a great time. Cameleer staff wear closed-toe walking boots that allow good ankle and foot movement. Sandals are not advised due to spiky ground covers and rocky terrain. What you wear comes down to personal preference, our cameleers wear workmen’s boots such as Rossi or Blundstones, many also add sock savers to cover their socks and prevent prickles from entering their boots. Remember, if you are buying new boots, make sure they are well broken in before your Camel Trek.




Additionally, pay attention to the socks you choose to wear, there are socks and then there are woollen and bamboo socks! Cameleers have found that good quality, thick, natural fibre socks breathe and keep the feet happy. Gaiters can also be helpful!

Sleeping Bags and Bedding We provide all of our guests with swags, which act like a small canvas tent, fully netted, with a mattress, and can comfortably be slept in with the addition of a pillow and sleeping bag.

What’s a swag? We hear you! Originally, a swag referred to a bundle of belongings rolled in a traditional fashion to be carried by a foot traveller in the bush. Before motor transport was common, foot travel over long distances was essential to life in the Australian bush. It is sometimes referred to as a "backpack bed.” Swags have been carried by shearers, miners, and many others, some of whom would have been happy to have been called a swagman, and some not. Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd provides guests with modern swags that are made from a waterproof canvas. They create a sleeping compartment that is completely insect proof with a fully netted screen allowing guests to view the stars at night.

The Outback of South Australia is renowned for its star-filled skies. Your sleeping bag will be kept in your swag, which is numbered for ease of identification, for the duration of your camel trek. If you are providing your own sleeping bag, it should be durable and suitably rated to keep you warm in temperatures of five degrees and, at the lowest, below zero. If you are with us in our warmer months around March or October, low temperatures are less likely, but as stated above, the outdoors can be unpredictable.

If you do not own a suitable sleeping bag, Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd does offer clean pillows, pillow cases, sleeping bags, liners, and blankets at the fee of $30 per person per trek. Advance notice is required. Please notify us at your time of booking.

Medical & Personal First Aid Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd requires that you must notify us of any pre-existing medical condition or allergies. Depending on your health condition, our insurance company may require your doctor’s recommendation of approval. Please do this as soon as possible on your waiver forms we send you once your booking is confirmed.

Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd is unable to dispense any behind the counter pharmacy medicines, nor do we carry anything beyond over the counter pain relief. Please be advised that you should bring your own supply of medications for minor ailments such as colds & sore throats. Please be aware that any personal medication is your own responsibility, we cannot store or handle any personal medications and are not responsible or any loss or misplaced medications.




Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd carries a First Aid Kit on every Camel Trek, along with communication tools including Satellite phones, UHF’s and we are within close proximity to the Hawker District Hospital and airstrip for the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service. At least two cameleers per Camel Trek are trained in First Aid and Remote First Aid, but are not AMA Medical Health Professionals. It is necessary for Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd to refer anyone requiring medical attention or assistance to Hawker Hospital.

Health and Travel Insurance Camel Treks Australia strongly recommends travel insurance, especially for our international and interstate guests. It is highly unlikely that any treks will be cancelled as we operate in an environment that experiences stable weather conditions. However, in the rare event of extreme weather here, or in the location you might be travelling from effecting booked flights or hire cars, it offers peace of mind to be covered. Personal illness and extended family illness can't be planned for either and travel insurance covers you for the unexpected so you can reschedule without loss. We recommend Insurance through 'Australia Post' for comprehensive cover, International and Domestic Travel plans.

Emergencies We are equipped with satellite phones and UHF radio handsets. In the event of an emergency, we can be in immediate contact with Wonoka Station Homestead, Hawker Hospital, and Port Augusta Hospital emergency services. We also recommend the purchase of SA Ambulance insurance cover, especially if you have known health challenges. In the event of an emergency, this insurance covers all travel expenses to a Hospital, without which would be expensive from our location in the Central Flinders Ranges. If you are from South Australia, consider pre-purchasing the AUS $45.00 S.A Ambulance Service cover.

Camel Treks Australia strongly recommends travel insurance, especially for international and interstate trekkers. It is highly unlikely that any treks will be cancelled as we operate in an environment that experiences stable weather conditions.

However in the rare event of negative weather here, or in the location you might be travelling from effecting booked flights or hire cars, it offers peace of mind to be covered. Personal illness and extended family illness can't be planned for either and travel insurance covers you for the unexpected so you can reschedule without loss. We recommend Insurance through 'Australia Post' for comprehensive cover, International and Domestic Travel plans.

What about toilets! We have toilet tents that surround clean covered drop pits, as well as permanent bush toilets that flush and are kept neat and tidy. We have a plenitude of sanitary wipes and hand-washing




water. When out and about during the day moving from one camp to the other, we carry toiletries to make going in the bush private and easy.

How to book a Camel Trek in 2016/2017? Given that the nature of our business is largely out of range, it isn’t impossible for the office to be unattended for 2 week periods. Our preferred method of booking, and also the easiest for our guests, is online booking through PayPal. If you would prefer to pay via a direct debit, send a cheque or money order, that's an option also, please email us directly at [email protected] and we will reply as soon as possible.

Go to our website TREKS and MENU pages for Camel Trek descriptions which will give you a brief and clear idea of what to expect on the varied treks that we offer. Next, visit our 2016/2017 CALENDAR page which will give you Camel Trek dates and also list how many guest vacancies are available on each trek. Then make your booking on our website’s Book Now page. It's that easy! If you book direct with us, we require a 20% deposit to confirm your place on trek and final payment is required within 6-8 weeks prior to your trek departure. You can book with confidence knowing you are trekking with South Australian Best Tour Operator Award recipients.

Lastly... If you have any additional questions, we are often out of range attending to guests on Camel Treks, we encourage you to visit our extensive FAQ Page on our website or send over an email. We look forward to hearing from you! Warm Regards, Karen Jane Ellis Camel Treks Australia Pty Ltd


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/#!treks/galleryPage

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/#!menu/c1bsu

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/#!calendar/c7hs

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/#!book-now/c6gz

http://www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au/#!faq/c6oj

Documents

Camel Treks Australia - Information