Ecologist Tara Hunklinger and cameleer Danielle Curnow-Andreasen lead the camels out into the scrub at the end of the day for a feed. Some of the camels are tied to trees at night, while others are left loose but wear hobbles. They also wear bells so the cameleers can keep track of their whereabouts. 

Ornithologist Julian Reid and botanist Jennifer Silcock take a moment’s break with the camel train at the edge of a salt lake. These surveys are a rare chance for scientists to explore on foot areas of the desert that wouldn’t be possible without the aid of the camel train. 

Camels have flexible lips that help them grip and draw food into their mouths.

Julian scans the skies for birds from an unusual vantage point – an empty wedged-tailed eagles’ nest. Among Julian’s sightings during the survey was a lone male redthroat, which he says was “quite unexpected in such sparse habitat”.

About 40 stone artefacts were recorded during the 2014 survey season, including many grinding stones that would have once been used by the Wangkangurru people. The team also documented areas that contained thousands of discarded stone chippings. 

After their loads have been unpacked at the end of a day’s walk, the camels relax and shake off the journey. Some of them will stand up as soon as their saddles are removed, while others prefer to stay sitting – just like people, they have personalities all their own. 

The whole team pitches in each morning and afternoon to help load and unload the camel train. For many of the trekkers who accompany the ADE team on their surveys, such as Ken Tierney pictured here, the chance to work closely with the camels is a highlight of the trip.

Cameleers Ann Hamilton, Danielle and Trudi Thomas-Morton prepare dinner for the group. Taking turns to cook each night, the cameleers must consider what fresh ingredients are left, what food needs to be saved for the remainder of the trek and also any dietary requirements of the group. 

In a rare quiet moment at camp, expedition leader Andrew Harper charts the progress of the camel train. 

In anticipation of a cup of tea or coffee, cups are lined up at the fire while the billy boils.

A puddle of dingo puppies is discovered under the lip of a sand ridge near Lake Thomas. They are chubby and seemingly healthy, probably due to the significant rabbit population in the area.

Several camel skeletons are discovered near the SA/NT border. It’s likely they are the result of the 2009-2013 aerial program launched by the federal government, which culled 160,000 wild camels. 

During his desert travels over the years, Andrew has collected many dingo skulls, some of which have helped scientists to better understand the species.   

Adhering to water rations means the cameleers will go for extended periods – sometimes months – without a proper shower. The camels carry the group’s drinking water in jerry cans and the supply is usually replenished at the beginning of each survey at the same time as the food restock.

Each day the group will walk 10-15km, paying close attention to the ground surrounding lakes and saltpans for any evidence of past human occupation.

Andrew shares an orange peel with Morgan. They have worked together for many years and in 2013 they assisted with the production of Tracks, an adaption of the book by Australian adventurer Robyn Davidson. 

It’s common for botflies to fly up into the nasal cavities of camels and lay their eggs. When the larva begins to irritate the animals – sometimes causing nose bleeds – the camels will attempt to sneeze it out. Here, Andrew shows the group a freshly dislodged botfly larva.

Andrew loves showing people the “nitty gritty” of Australian deserts and says that walking country is the best way to do so. “What is living in the desert now – as well as what has lived there and who has lived there and how they’ve lived there – is all written in the sands,” he says.