Forget traditional horse rides – experience the unique thrill of riding a gentle, desert-dwelling camel with its distinctive hump.
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Peter Hodge Camels, owned and operated by Peter Hodge, is bringing several camels to the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo.
“We do short camel walks, about five minutes, I’ve got a loading platform so the camels don’t have to get up and down,” he said.
His experienced team isn’t just any collection of camels – it’s led by Roman, a seasoned 26-year-old camel, alongside his dedicated crew of working camels.
“I've had Roman for 20 years, he came out of the desert and the second camel will be called Handsome. He was born at my place and is now 10 years old,” Peter said.
“Then Buddy, a 13-year-old camel, I got when he was about six months old, and Pretty boy, he’s 24 years old, I've had him since he was about five years old.”
The camel rides have been at the expo for over 15 years and have no plans of stopping.
“It’s a really good event, and it’s got a good atmosphere,” he said.
After more than 30 years working with camels, Peter has welcomed riders of every age and background, developing a genuine love for these remarkable gentle giants.
“It’s a pretty good job and most people are pretty good with the camels,” he said.
“I find real joy in watching people connect with the camels, especially since these wonderful animals sometimes get an unfair reputation.
“They’re truly special animals, and just like our beloved dogs, they each have their own mischievous personality.”
Like most things, there are some people who are a bit nervous when it comes to camels, but Peter is an expert in relaxing a tense rider.
“I find it incredibly rewarding when someone starts nervous, but I help them feel confident, and they finish the ride saying it was wonderful,” he said.
“That is the best part, that they conquer their fear, and they do something out of their comfort zone, so that’s very, very rewarding.”
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