Photographer nears the end of epic 5000km cross-country camel trek

Sophie Matterson has timed her epic cross-country camel trek to perfection.

The photographer has spent the past 19 months traipsing 5000 kilometres through the desert with five camels from the western edge of Western Australia to Byron Bay – the most easterly part of Australia.

Sophie Matterson stops for a beer at the Eltham pub in northern NSW. Credit: Elise Derwin

And during the whole journey, she hasn't once been ensnared in the dreaded border closures which have come to define most Australians' lives.

"I got super lucky really," she said. "I couldn't have picked a better time to head off into the desert with a bunch of camels."

Ms Matterson is presently in Eltham, about 30 kilometres from the Byron finish line which she expects to reach on December 10.

She decided to make the trek simply to have an adventure. She says the camels – Charlie, Clayton, Delilah, Jude and Mac – are "my five best mates".

Each of the five camels have their personality.Credit: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

"I know them like the back of my hand. They each have their own individual personality and needs and wants. I can tell by their facial expressions who's happy or unhappy or a little agitated."

Her highlights include seeing the wildflowers in the Strzelecki Desert, camping under the stars and meeting random people along the journey.

"It's so amazing that we have such wild spaces left. I'm always surprised that not many people go to visit them," Ms Matterson said.

Also memorable was the time her camels took off without her, bolting ahead with all her possessions.

"I had to run after them for several kilometres, so that was bloody scary. That's probably my lowest moment."

Lately, the main challenge is the traffic as the camels approach civilisation, as well as being in unfamiliar climes.

While the past two years have been marked by governments making drastic decisions such as lockdowns and closing borders, Ms Matterson has often been blissfully ignorant.

"I probably went about three months [this year] without having any signal on my phone," she said.

And when she did come back online, she wished she hadn't.

Thirsty work: Ms Matterson and her camel string trudge along the Oodnadatta track in May. Credit: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

"It'd be kind of overwhelming that I just couldn't wait to turn it off again and escape back into the desert," she said.

“I think compared to the rest of the country, I’m probably the least familiar with all the COVID restrictions. I’ve barely ever had to wear face masks, so I feel like I’m very lucky.”

Once the journey ends, Ms Matterson plans to take the camels back to the Flinders Ranges for "a good summer holiday", then return to WA and pick up her vehicle. After that, she hopes to take some time to reflect, make a documentary and write a book.

"It's a strange feeling coming to the end - I'm almost not quite even sure how to process it," she said. "It's been a massive part of my life for so long.

"Probably one of the biggest things it's taught me is resilience and perseverance.

"I've had times where I've wanted to just collapse in a heap and cry.

"I've never thought of myself as a good decision-maker. But when there's no one else out there, you're pushed to make those yourself, so it means that you have to step up and have that strength to keep on going."

While Ms Matterson doesn't expect too many fellow travellers to replicate her journey, she encourages people to tackle adventures when they present.

"If you have the opportunity at some point in your life to be able to take a big adventure, seize it."

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