Camels grazing in outback South Australia; exact location not known. Camels were first introduced to Australia in the 1840s to be used as beasts of burden in desert exploration. However the major move was in 1866 when Sir Thomas Elder imported large numbers of camels and established a breeding stud at Beltana. Throughout the late 19th century the animals were essential in the construction of railway and telegraph lines and were used extensively by hawkers carrying goods to remote stations.