'Afghan' cameleers with their camels made a significant contribution to the opening up and development of inland South Australia and Australia for Europeans. Known generally as 'Afghans', the Muslim men were from several different places of origin and various ethnic groups. The first camel arrived in South Australia in October 1840 and was used in exploration work. It was shot in 1846 following the accidental death of explorer John Horrocks.

In the mid-1860s Thomas Elder and Samuel Stuckey imported 124 camels, with 31 Afghan cameleers from India, mainly to work on Elder's properties in the far north. A breeding program for camels was established at Beltana to meet increasing demand.

Crucial transport and communication for outback exploration expeditions, mining settlements, and provision of supplies to towns, stations and missions were enabled by Afghans and their camel teams. Afghans assisted survey expeditions, transported materials for construction of the Overland Telegraph Line in the early 1870s and aided railway construction. However, the cameleers were among the lowest paid workers in the country.

Anti-Afghan attitudes were encompassed in the 'White Australia policy' widely supported in the late 19th century, and incorporated in the Australian Commonwealth's Immigration Restriction Act of 1901. Today the name of 'The Ghan' Adelaide-Darwin train journey through central Australia honours the considerable contributions made by Afghan people to the development of remote inland regions.