Journey along the historic Afghan Cameleer trail, travelling from Adelaide to Darwin (or vice versa) on our new fully hosted exclusive air charter. From the mid to late 1800s, the Afghan Cameleers began their exploration into the centre of Australia to continue mapping the country. These explorers had many goals, but highest among them was to find natural resources to establish new viable areas for settlement. This new journey celebrates these pioneers who played a key role in shaping the Australian outback.
Before the building of railway lines and other various adoptions of transport, camels were the primary means of transporting goods and supplies through Outback Australia. The Afghan Cameleers played a vital part in opening central Australia and building the Australian Overland Telegraph Line between Adelaide to Darwin as well as the railways. Many of the cameleers and their families later returned to their homelands, but most remained and turned to other trades and ways of making a living. Today, people's ancestry can be traced back to the early cameleers, many of whom intermarried with local Aboriginal women and European women in outback Australia.
On this once in a lifetime opportunity, you will begin with a tour of Adelaide’s highlights. Day 2, the Afghan Cameleer exploration continues by air and land. Enjoy a scenic fly over Lake Eyre on your way to Coober Pedy for a short layover. Lake Eyre, officially known as Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, is the largest Salt Lake in Australia, filling only once every eight years on average. It was formed some 200 million years ago with the seemingly endless pink salt crystals glistening under the sun captivating travellers year upon year.
Upon landing in Coober Pedy you will tour and journey underground in Australia’s Opal Capital. Around 150 million years ago, Coober Pedy was covered by ocean and when the water receded, the sandy silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the rocky cracks and cavities. This solidified over time into a multi-colored gem-stone – opal.
Continue to Alice Springs as the Afghan adventure sees you out and about exploring the fascinating town of Alice Springs. The most visited landmark in Alice Springs, Anzac Hill is the ideal spot for an overview of the town with the lookout offering a panoramic view of township it’s beautiful surrounding ranges. It has now become a memorial to all those who have served their country during all wars in which Australia has participated. You may also see the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. A historic museum precinct with indoor and outdoor displays, presenting the story of the connection of Australia to the rest of the world through Telegraph Communication in 1871. Although Alice Springs has been linked with camels in recent years, Alice Springs was the last place where the Afghan Cameleers settled. When the Afghans built the rail lines up-to Oodnadatta the caravans travelled between there and Alice Springs. The Oodnadatta track runs close to the path the Afghans took from Marree and Oodnadatta to Alice. Camel cartage bases were formed at railheads or near ports where ‘Afghan-towns’ developed on their outskirts. These became more commonly known as Ghantowns. On the outskirts of Alice Springs lies the Mecca Date Farm, with the palms originating from eboee, the Afghans planted in various Ghantowns between Marree and Alice Springs.
The next morning a new venture awaits as you travel to Uluru for a 1 night stay at Desert Gardens, located at the iconic Ayers Rock Resort. The global phenomenon that is Field of Light, is an essential experience commencing after sunset with a convenient hotel pick-up and short transfer to the remote desert location. This is when Field of Light illuminates, lighting up the landscape for as far as the eye can see in a gentle rhythm of interchanging colors. 50,000 spindles of light set on swaying stems creating a never-before-seen fantasy garden being the work of internationally celebrated artist, Bruce Munro. After exploring 132 000kms of the country, July Gosse and Kamran named Ayers Rock (Uluru) after South Australia’s Premier at the current time, Sir Henry Ayers.
The next stop on your journey is at the stunning Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge where nature comes to life! The Katherine township began in 1872 as an outpost to the Overland Telegraph Line. Since then, its population swelled during the 1800s’ gold rush era and has more recently become the Northern Territory’s third-largest town. The spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge cliffs glow in the changing light among the pristine shimmering blue waters, thundering waterfalls and beautiful flora and fauna. Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a haven where everyone falls in love with the magical surrounds. Your journey includes a cruise through the gorges and is a highlight of the holiday.
To conclude your exploration of the Afghan Cameleer history, you’ll explore tropical Darwin, which is home to more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. Darwin is often the gateway for visiting Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park.
From lazy days at the Darwin Waterfront precinct, striking street art as you meander the city streets, unique bar and dining options to cruising the harbour and swimming under waterfalls, Darwin and surrounds delivers a unique holiday experience.
Today only a few second-generation descendants of the original Afghans are still alive in Australia, most being in their 70s or older. A few still live in their original Ghantown houses, with Muslim mementos of camels and turbaned men on their walls.
Click here to explore and discover the Journey of the Afghan Cameleers, or contact the Holidays of Australia team on 1300 854 897 or holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au
Image credit: Tourism NT, South Australian Tourism Commission
