Family has paid tribute to South Australian adventurer Rex Ellis after he died aged 83

The adventurer and jackaroo grew up in McLaren Vale and worked across stations in South Australia and WA.

Rex Ellis, with his dog Bill in the Murray River near Morgan. Picture: David Geraghty/The Australian

A well-known South Australian author and adventurer has been remembered as a loving father, tourism trailblazer and master storyteller.

Rex Ellis died on Easter Sunday, aged 83, with friends and family taking to social media to pay tribute.

Rex Ellis has been remembered a true outback hero after passing away on Easter Sunday David Sproule

Born and raised in McLaren Vale, Ellis worked as a jackaroo on stations in South Australia and Western Australia.

But it was his work as an outback safari guide and author where he gained his name.

Over 60 years, Rex took tourists to all corners of the state by boat, four-wheel drive and camel – by the side of late wife Patti.

Rex explored all corners of the state for more than 60 years Picture David Geraghty / The Australian.

“Our family feels grateful for this time together and for the relationships and initiatives that Dad created over his lifetime, and for his generosity and care as a father,” his daughter Katherine said.

“He joins Patti now, my mother to watch over us. Rest in peace Rexy.”

These outback adventures were documented in nine books, with titles such as The Desert Boatman, Mulga Madness, Ten Thousand Campfires and Country Town Boy.

Rex Ellis leading an "easy" two-day camel safari in the Flinders Ranges, SA, 11 Aug 1987. (Pic by unidentified staff photographer)

Rex was highly regarded within the outback tourism industry for completing some historic journeys, including the first ever commercial vehicle crossing of the Simpson Desert and a Trans-Australia camel expedition to mark the bicentenary.

Outback explorer Andrew Harper OAM paid tribute to his longtime friend.

“As the country’s longest-serving outback guide, with a remarkable 60 years of experience, he was undeniably a pioneer, blazing trails in countless areas and inspiring generations of explorers, travellers, and camel trekkers,” Mr Harper said.
“Rex Ellis was also a master storyteller, with more than a few legendary yarns, some of them perhaps a little too good to fact-check.”

Outback adventurer Rex Ellis holding his book "Outback by Camel".

He was also a publican at the Birdsville Hotel and Innamincka Hotel, with both pubs paying tribute.

“You were a true outback hero – we loved you for your irreverence, we respected you for your knowledge and we listened to your stories,” the Innamincka Hotel posted on Facebook.
“Rex - you were way ahead of your time and epitomised everything that is adventure tourism.”

“Rex devoted much of his life to exploration and adventure tourism in the Simpson Desert and surrounding area and we express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this true outback legend,” the Birdsville Hotel posted.