Dare from friend launches camel driver's career training animals for Cable Beach tourist train
Faced with a list of potential jobs in a Centrelink office nearly 30 years ago, a joke from a friend set Luke Campbell's career path.
"I looked under miscellaneous and there was a camel driver wanted – a mate looked at me and said, 'I dare you'," he said.
"So I hitched up to Carnarvon, and I've never looked back."
Currently, Mr Campbell is making his way on foot from Shark Bay to Broome – a three-month-long, 2,000-kilometre journey – alongside four wild camels he is in the process of training for a special purpose.
Eventually, they'll be a part of the iconic camel trains that take tourists down Broome's Cable Beach.
"I spend pretty minimal time on them, and then get on the road and do most of the training on the road," he said.
Luke Campbell treks with his camels. (Supplied: Luke Campbell)
Mr Campbell said he had taken many of these trips over his long career.
"We weren't too far away from Steep Point in Shark Bay, and we're walking all the way up to Broome to deliver some camels up there for the tourism operators," he said.
He prefers a hands-on approach to training the animals, instead of using vehicles.
"I don't muster, and I don't use choppers, bikes, cars or anything like that," he said.
He said that approach helped the camels become accustomed to environments like Cable Beach.
The camels Mr Campbell is training will end up being part of the iconic Cable Beach camel walk. (ABC News: Charlie Mills)
Mr Campbell said the most important aspect, especially in the beginning, was allowing the camels to become accustomed to his presence.
"I'll spend a day or two just sitting with them," he said.
"Because when you catch an animal, the first thing they think is you're probably going to hurt him or something so they get a bit nervous."
From there, he said it was a "basic process" in getting them used to saddles, walking in a train and becoming accustomed to riders.
Despite focusing on the process of training, Mr Campbell said the journey was just as important.
"I'm expecting it to be three months — if I find a nice waterfall and a good shady gum tree it might take four," he said.
Bond formed with wild camels
Having travelled with wild camels on multiple occasions, Mr Campbell said he was able to form a strong affinity with the "intelligent" animals.
"When you get out on the road with them and get them out of their home place, you really form a bond," he said.
He is currently trekking alongside four male camels, known as bulls, which he said was out of the ordinary.
Luke Campbell shares a swim with his camels after arriving in Perth from Coolgardie. (Supplied: Luke Campbell)
"You don't normally work bulls together. in fact, I think it's not many people that work bulls at all," he said.
"I find them quite confident animals."
Despite their closeness, Mr Campbell said he was still careful to stay safe, especially at night, when he sleeps in a swag next to the camels.
"Not too close ... I don't want to end up with one sleeping in my swag with me," he laughed.
Luke Campbell sits with two of his camels. (Supplied: Luke Campbell)
Sharing the journey
After nearly three decades of camel driving, Mr Campbell has recently added a camera to his pack, sharing his journey to thousands of viewers around the world.
Posting on the YouTube channel Luke Campbell Adventures, he said he was surprised to see so many interested in his travels.
"I was just sort of hoping Mum and Dad and a few mates might watch it, but it seems to be going alright," he said.
"It turns out I've got new mates in Arabia now, and everywhere!"