Cruising Australia on 'ships of the desert'

Travellers searching for a unique holiday adventure should look no further than Australia's 'Ships of the Desert.'

Australia's camels offer a unique way to explore the continent's incredible landscape.

Camel treks are ideal for those wishing to experience a nature-based adventure, varying in length from 15-minute rides to week-long safaris. Bold adventurers are offered more challenging expeditions of 26 to 40 days across spectacular, uninhabited desert.

The Simpson Desert is host to a range of treks, with expeditions taking a different route each year across undiscovered sands.

Treks are also available along some of Australia's most beautiful beaches. Visitors to Noosa and Fraser Island can enjoy safaris along unspoilt, picturesque beaches and fresh water creeks.

The famous 'Take a Camel to Dinner' tour at Frontier Camel Tours in Alice Springs continues to entertain visitors from around the world. After meeting their dinner companions, guests enjoy a leisurely camel ride along the Todd River, before dining on traditional Australian fare.

Vineyard tours on camel-back offer wine enthusiasts a novel approach to traditional wine trials. Bush Safari in South Australia offers a one-day tour visiting four McLaren Vale vineyards, including the well known Wirra Wirra Vineyards.

And for those who would rather watch, Australia offers regular camel race meets nationwide. The Boulia Desert Sands 2000 in Queensland is Australia's premier international professional camel racing festival offering AUD$30,000 in prize money. Spectators and trainers come from leading camel racing countries around the world to attend this spectacle.

Many of Australia's specialist camel touring companies offer personalised trips and cater for special interest groups, conventions and incentives.

To learn more, visit www.australia.com, featuring over 10,000 pages of information to help you plan your holiday.

Make sure you join the Aussie Travel Club when you visit the site. Club members receive regular e-mail bulletins on new and exciting travel ideas and the latest deals to Australia, including some great off-the-beaten-track packages.