ISBN:9781761182334
Publisher:A&U Children’s
Imprint:A & U Children
June 2026
RRP: $24.99
This one took a long time to get to me – even longer than an actual camel race across the wide open interior really – and then it’s had to sit waiting its turn patiently after it arrived but it’s such a great book. Your readers who love animal stories, especially true animal stories, will love it and it’s a really interesting and engaging read for all readers who enjoy a true story.
Back in the late-80s we had not long relocated from the central west of NSW to Queensland and this was news that attracted not just our attention but the whole country really. But for one camel rider it was an especially momentous trip.
Jill Colwell was a keen and experienced equestrian who thought that riding a camel wouldn’t be too much different to riding a horse. Wrong! And when she first met Tiki he was still half-wild so even more of a challenge.
But embarking on the three month trek across Australia from the Red Centre to the Gold Coast was a challenge they both accepted – albeit, reluctantly at times on Tiki’s account. This lovely narrative relates that story and is lavishly accompanied by a factual recount from Jill, some history of the camels of Australia. a full page of notes on the photos and documents used through and terrific end papers featuring photographs from the actual event.
Until the book came along, I had completely forgotten about this amazing event and it was a real pleasure to recollect it now. Kate Simpson has put this narrative together with a fine sense of what will most engage the readers and, of course, Craig Smith’s illustrations are always a delight – the expressions on faces of both riders and camels in this are pure joy! And the double spread map with the addition of wildlife is a cracker!
If you hadn’t got around to this one, it’s a definite must-have because, apart from anything else, it fits so nicely with that UoI on Australian landmarks, geography as well history – usually around Year 2 or sometimes 3. It gets a humpy 5 🐪🐪🐪🐪🐪from me for kiddos from around 7 upwards (who may need some help with the back matter).
The Great Australian Camel Race (part 1) – ABC listen
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