Calamunda Camel Farm

It was a public holiday last Monday (Queen's birthday). I had a day off from work and was sitting on the sette wondering how to entertain bub when I remembered seeing an advert on the parent's paper about a camel farm. I rang them up to check if they operated on a public holiday, and yes they were! So I packed bub in the car and off we went with my mum. It was up in the hills in Kalamunda, and it felt like we were driving for hours on the never-ending and winding road.

Bub fell asleep in the car, and woke up 30mins later when we arrived at the farm. The farm is really deserted, and surrounded by lots of bushland. There were heaps of cyclists who parked their cars at the farm, and rode their bikes down the cycling path from the farm. The large number of cyclists were attributed to the upcoming Sam Hill Ride Out next Saturday, 12 October. Hence they must have been training for the Ride Out. There is a complimentary outdoor BBQ pit for public use - free of charge and first-come-first-serve. You do not need to be a customer of the camel farm, although the BBQ pit is located on the farm's property. In fact, all facilities at the farm is available for public use at no charge, except for the camel rides or camel training lessons. The farm sits on 10 acres of state forest, with a large part set aside for public use (isn't the owner super nice?).

We paid $20 for a 15mins camel ride. This charge applies to all riding on a camel, irregardless of age due to insurance purposes. The camels travel in pairs, so even if there is just one rider, there will be two camels trekking. Also, the camels take turns to be camel number 1. Basically, camel number 1 is in-front, and camel number 2 is behind. Camel number 1 is in a better position with unlimited access to food. Camels eat all types of vegetation, and we were surrounded by bushland so there were plenty of food for them everywhere! Trees, bushes, twigs, thorns, grass - almost everything! Hence camel number 1 is the happiest camel. The camels usually rotate to be camel number 1 to ensure that the camels will be evenly fed. Bub enjoyed watching the camels munching on the vegetation. In fact, whenever we go past a tree, bub would point to the tree with one hand and speak in his language (he's still learning to talk) telling the camel that there was food there. When he did that, I must gently remind him to hold the handle bars with two hands as I didn't want him to fall off the camel.

Waiting for Chris to come before getting on the camel

Camel number 1 feasting on the shrubs, while camel number 2 watches jealously from behind

Upon completing the ride, we received a certificate and a sticker to remember the day.

We decided to have a hot cup of chocolate and berry muffin after the ride. The muffin was served hot and was so fresh!! I LOVED the muffin, and was so tempted to try the chocolate muffin too but my mum started giving a speech about fats, eh.

We explored around the property on our own. There's a lawn, garden, farm animals, benches everywhere for you to just sit and relax, and BBQ pits. It's free entry to the farm, and the nursery is home to animals like emus, sheep, goats, baby camels (twelve months old), roosters, hens and ducks.

Lots of cyclists' cars.

If you are looking for new experiences for your kid, Calamunda Camel Farm is the best place to be. Had we known of its' amazing opportunities, we would have had a BBQ and rode our bikes through the bush after the camel ride. If you are planning a visit to the farm, the number of activities there is a great way for you and the kids to absorb and treasure nature.



Calamunda Camel Farm
361 Paulls Valley Road
Kalamunda
Tel (08) 9293 1156
http://www.camelfarm.com/    ---> see website for detailed list of prices for camel rides