Nineteen camels are travelling from West Queensland to the East Coast to raise awareness for youth suicide prevention.
Leading the camels are Ashley and Maree Huskisson who acquired them from George and Pip Hacon in Wirrilyerna, West of Boulia.
They include nine pure white camels, which Mr Huskisson says are “very rare”.
“These are different to any camels we’ve seen in the last six years,” he said.
Mr Hacon gave them the white herd with 116 bails of hay as a bonus after Mr Huskisson worked on his property at Kalala.
Mr Huskisson said it was a generous gift, rounded up by Mr Hacon on his property with a helicopter.
”He’s one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever met, him and his wife Pip and son Rick” Mr Huskisson said.
The train of camels (also known as a “caravan of camels”) will set out from Wirrilyerna on Monday morning.
Boulia is known as camel country, and these ones have been successfully broken in.
“These ones were as wild as anything,” Ms Huskisson said.
Joining the couple on their nomadic journey is daughter Amy, nephew Shane Conway, and friend Graeme Peachy.
Once they reach the ocean, the group plans to host camel rides for tourists on the beach.
Camels in Australia are considered a pest, but are also used for racing, and eating.
To follow the camels’ trek visit ‘Desert to Ocean Camel Walk 2K17’ and northweststar.com.au for updates.
Mr Huskisson appeared in The North West Star in 2013 when he first had the idea to use camels to raise money for charity.
