Camel Wagon – White Cliffs, Wilcannia

Not far from White Cliffs in western New South Wales (NSW), heading for Wilcannia and Broken Hill, we came across Ken with his camel, Mazan and camel wagon.

Ken had been on the road for three months, traveling from the Murray River country, east of Adelaide in South Australia (SA).

Mazan had worn his soles thin and although not lame, was beginning to have trouble with tender pads, so it was time for a break in the journey.

It was an area without much in the way of firewood except for a few dead sticks on a distant tree, so Lesley suggested giving Ken an armfull of the firewood we were carrying for our stay at Mungo National Park, in a week or two. Ken was greatful and said he’d be able to make some flat bread on that.

Living very simply, the camel wagon is Ken’s home. He carries all his food and gets water where he can, topping up his tanks to take he and Mazan to the next water.

The wagon and gear is quite a load for Mazan so Ken walks most of the way, the exeption being the occasional downhill stretch where he needs to hold the wagon back with the breaks.