Pyndan Camel Rides calls last rides after 24 years ahead of 2025 restructure

After operating out of the Red Centre for 24 years, a cameleer is calling last rides to the public – but it doesn’t mean he or his camels are going away. Find out more.

Pyndan Camel Tracks founder Marcus Williams. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A Red Centre camel company is heading in a new direction after it was unable to secure a buyer, with the owner wanting to be “a bit like a tradie” moving forward.

After operating in Alice Springs for 24 years, Pyndan Camel Tracks owner Marcus Williams said he was scaling back the business.

Come November 28, the doors will be closed to the public.

Instead, Mr Williams said the business would be offering “off-site short camel rides”.

“No offence to the tradies, but I want to be a bit like a tradie – take a job when I want it, not when you have to do it,” he said.

Pyndan Camel Tracks in Alice Springs Picture: Pyndan Camel Tracks Facebook.

His plan would see the company take its camels out for various events, he said,

The move comes as Mr Williams placed the business – and his camels – for sale, but was unable to reach a buyer.

“I’ve been wanting to change direction for the past three years and so one direction was to try and sell the business, but that didn’t work,” he said.

“We had a few people looking at the business … but unfortunately it’s not really sort of their cup of tea, I don’t think.”

Mr Williams said he started his business with $5 to his name, and would walk the camels into town for tours along the Todd River.

A camel at Pyndan Camel Tracks, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

He earned enough to buy his property in Ilparpa, south of Alice Springs, where he has been operating since.

“I didn’t start this business up to make millions and millions of dollars,” he said.

“I started this business up to introduce people to camels and to give people an experience with them – a good one.”