Andrew Harper

desert walker : explorer

I’ve been walking and exploring the Australian deserts since 1995 and so far, have journeyed over 20000 kilometres across all of Australia's nine major deserts either as a solo explorer or as leader of commercial camel expeditions with my trekking business, the Outback Camel Company.

In 1999 I brought to fruition a 17 year dream of walking across Australia along The Tropic of Capricorn, a 229 day, 4637 kilometre journey raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Stage 2 of Capricorn Expedition, a two-stage walk across South America began in October 2017, and I hope to continue the walk in 2022. More information here - www.capricornexpedition.com.au

In 2007 I founded Australian Desert Expeditions, a Registered Australian Charity that partners with leading universities and national research institutions to conduct scientific & ecological surveys in the far reaches of the inland deserts.

I believe that Australia's long cameleering exploration heritage can successfully partner with modern science to further our ecological knowledge of Australia's great arid wilderness.

Since 1995 I’ve walked across the Simpson Desert - the worlds largest parallel sand ridge desert - 12 times in various directions, the latest solo journey being reconnxpedition, a 35 day, 700 kilometre crossing in 2012.

On Australia Day 2015, I was honoured to be awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), for service to environmental science, research and adventure tourism.

"The desert deserves to be approached gently, so its mood is revealed. The way people have always approached the desert was on foot, as we have done today. That reveals the country - the continuum of country."

Capricorn Expedition - Australia 1999

Day 228, near Rockhampton.

Day 228, near Rockhampton.

Along the beach on day 229. Pacific Ocean, Queensland.

Along the beach on day 229. Pacific Ocean, Queensland.

MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

On the move, Gibson Desert, WA.

On the move, Gibson Desert, WA.

Over the tracks, QLD.

Over the tracks, QLD.

Boots off - day 229.

Boots off - day 229.

A stop with schoolkids in QLD.

A stop with schoolkids in QLD.

Morgans mudbath.

Morgans mudbath.

The Indian Ocean meets the Pacific Ocean.

The Indian Ocean meets the Pacific Ocean.

Mac & TC.

On the gibber, QLD.

On the gibber, QLD.

East MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

East MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

The dry Simpson Desert.

The dry Simpson Desert.

Termite mounds, northern Simpson Desert.

Termite mounds, northern Simpson Desert.

Where am I?

Mac.

Taking a break.

Taking a break.

West MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

West MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

The way ahead, Gibson Desert, WA.

The way ahead, Gibson Desert, WA.

Day 229.

Stockmans Hall Of Fame, Longreach, QLD.

Stockmans Hall Of Fame, Longreach, QLD.

Getting dirty.

..time for a wash at a cattle trough, western Queensland.

..time for a wash at a cattle trough, western Queensland.

Where I lay my swag.

Where I lay my swag.

Contemplation. Day 229.

Contemplation. Day 229.

Afternoon cuppa, West MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

Afternoon cuppa, West MacDonnell Ranges, NT.

Morgan at Durba Hills, WA.

Morgan at Durba Hills, WA.

Capricorn Expedition - Sth America 2017

Outback Camel Company Expeditions

reconnxpedition 2012

IMG_1134 2.JPG

Australian Desert Expeditions

These photographs represent the type of scientific & ecological fieldwork that is conducted on ADE surveys.
Disciplines include

ornithology, archaeology, palaeontology
surveys for small mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and invertebrates
track analysis & scat collection surveys
bat surveys
botanical specimen collections
sampling of soil carbon

Images are sourced from Andrew's collection and from participants of the surveys.

Dr Mike Smith and Andrew Harper examine the findings from a survey dig, 2010.

Dr Mike Smith and Andrew Harper examine the findings from a survey dig, 2010.

Archaeological dig

ADE Archaeologist Dr Mike Smith (National Museum of Australia) talks to Ilse Pickherd about stone fragments. Northern Simpson Desert 2010.

Taking measurements of the hind leg of a Striped-faced dunnart, 2011.

Taking measurements of the hind leg of a Striped-faced dunnart, 2011.

Dr Mike Smith, National Museum of Australia, examines megafauna fossil, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

Dr Mike Smith, National Museum of Australia, examines megafauna fossil, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

Catching a sand goanna

Ecologist Max Tischler catches a Sand Goanna during the ADE Ethabuka Survey, July 2010.

The camel team walks across a small claypan, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

The camel team walks across a small claypan, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

Collating botanical specimens, Simpson Desert National Park Survey, 2010.

Collating botanical specimens, Simpson Desert National Park Survey, 2010.

Sydney University ecologist George Madani, inspects pitfall traps, 2010.

Sydney University ecologist George Madani, inspects pitfall traps, 2010.

Walking alonside Pulchera Lake, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

Walking alonside Pulchera Lake, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

Ecologist George Madani displays a small reptile, 2010.

Ecologist George Madani displays a small reptile, 2010.

Ecologist Dr Max Tischler collects measurements, 2010.

Ecologist Dr Max Tischler collects measurements, 2010.

Striped face dunnart.

Striped face dunnart.

Ecologist Dr Max Tischler with members of the trekking team.

Ecologist Dr Max Tischler with members of the trekking team.

Data is collected on all of our mammal & marsupial catches.

Data is collected on all of our mammal & marsupial catches.

Comparing sub-species.

Comparing sub-species.

Collecting data on Pijuri plants, 2010.

Collecting data on Pijuri plants, 2010.

A line leading to pitfall traps.

A line leading to pitfall traps.

George Madani exits a newly discoverd cave with a Stimson Python, 2010.

George Madani exits a newly discoverd cave with a Stimson Python, 2010.

The lush north eastern Simpson Desert after record rainfall, 2010.

The lush north eastern Simpson Desert after record rainfall, 2010.

Sanddune frog.

The lush Simpson Desert, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

The lush Simpson Desert, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

Dr Max Tischler displays a Mulgara.

Dr Max Tischler displays a Mulgara.

Dr June Ross examines rock paintings, 2010.

Dr June Ross examines rock paintings, 2010.

Aboriginal grinding stone.

Aboriginal grinding stone.

Ethabuka Reserve Surveys, 2010.

Ethabuka Reserve Surveys, 2010.

Archaeologist Dr Mike Smith examines an aboriginal tool factory, 2010.

Archaeologist Dr Mike Smith examines an aboriginal tool factory, 2010.

Dr's Philip Jones and Mike Smith examine artefacts.

Dr's Philip Jones and Mike Smith examine artefacts.

Thorny Devil.

Expedition artist Jo Bertini.

Expedition artist Jo Bertini.

Andrew leads the camel team, 2010.

Andrew leads the camel team, 2010.

The yellow desert, 2007.

The yellow desert, 2007.

Leading the camels across the muddy Kallakoopah Creek.

Leading the camels across the muddy Kallakoopah Creek.

The expedition doctor examines a fossilised megafauna bone.

The expedition doctor examines a fossilised megafauna bone.

Corellas.

The evening camp.

The evening camp.

The ecology team taking a break.

The ecology team taking a break.

Brolgas.

Grinding stone.

Grinding stone.

Kopi Caps, Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

Kopi Caps, Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

Stone axe.

Stone axe.

On the move, eastern Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

On the move, eastern Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

Aboriginal grinding stones.

Aboriginal grinding stones.

Cuppa tea time!

Cuppa tea time!

Loading the camels.

Loading the camels.

Documenting aboriginal artefacts.

Documenting aboriginal artefacts.

On the move.

Bearded Dragon.

Bearded Dragon.

Loading the camels.

Loading the camels.

Tracks in the white desert sands.

Tracks in the white desert sands.

Tool fragment.

Grinding stone.

Grinding stone.

Fossilsed shells.

Fossilsed shells.

Landscape along the Kallakoopah Creek.

Landscape along the Kallakoopah Creek.

Along the Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Along the Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Inspecting another fossil discovery.

Inspecting another fossil discovery.

Looking ahead!

Collecting plant specimens and dingo skulls.

Collecting plant specimens and dingo skulls.

Camel saddles.

Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Typical camp on the Arid Rivers Expedition.

Typical camp on the Arid Rivers Expedition.

Inspecting a megafauna fossil.

Inspecting a megafauna fossil.

Fossilised tooth.

Fossilised tooth.

Grinding stone.

Grinding stone.

Unidentified fossilised jaw fragment.

Unidentified fossilised jaw fragment.

Leading the camels across a small salt lake.

Leading the camels across a small salt lake.

Fossilised fish vertebrae.

Fossilised fish vertebrae.

Unidentified fossilised bone.

Unidentified fossilised bone.

Megafauna fossil.

Megafauna fossil.

Megafauna fossil.

Megafauna fossil.

Dr Mike Smith and Andrew Harper examine the findings from a survey dig, 2010.

Archaeological dig

Taking measurements of the hind leg of a Striped-faced dunnart, 2011.

Dr Mike Smith, National Museum of Australia, examines megafauna fossil, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

Catching a sand goanna

The camel team walks across a small claypan, Arid Rivers Expedition 2007.

Collating botanical specimens, Simpson Desert National Park Survey, 2010.

Sydney University ecologist George Madani, inspects pitfall traps, 2010.

Walking alonside Pulchera Lake, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

Ecologist George Madani displays a small reptile, 2010.

Ecologist Dr Max Tischler collects measurements, 2010.

Data is collected on all of our mammal & marsupial catches.

Comparing sub-species.

Collecting data on Pijuri plants, 2010.

A line leading to pitfall traps.

George Madani exits a newly discoverd cave with a Stimson Python, 2010.

The lush north eastern Simpson Desert after record rainfall, 2010.

Sanddune frog.

The lush Simpson Desert, Ethabuka Reserve, 2010.

Dr Max Tischler displays a Mulgara.

Dr June Ross examines rock paintings, 2010.

Aboriginal grinding stone.

Ethabuka Reserve Surveys, 2010.

Archaeologist Dr Mike Smith examines an aboriginal tool factory, 2010.

Thorny Devil.

Expedition artist Jo Bertini.

Andrew leads the camel team, 2010.

The yellow desert, 2007.

Leading the camels across the muddy Kallakoopah Creek.

The expedition doctor examines a fossilised megafauna bone.

Corellas.

The evening camp.

The ecology team taking a break.

Brolgas.

Grinding stone.

Kopi Caps, Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

Stone axe.

Stone axe.

On the move, eastern Simpson Desert Archaeology Expedition 2008.

Aboriginal grinding stones.

Loading the camels.

Documenting aboriginal artefacts.

On the move.

Bearded Dragon.

Loading the camels.

Tracks in the white desert sands.

Tool fragment.

Grinding stone.

Fossilsed shells.

Landscape along the Kallakoopah Creek.

Along the Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Inspecting another fossil discovery.

Looking ahead!

Collecting plant specimens and dingo skulls.

Camel saddles.

Kallakoopah Creek, Arid Rivers Expedition.

Typical camp on the Arid Rivers Expedition.

Inspecting a megafauna fossil.

Fossilised tooth.

Grinding stone.

Unidentified fossilised jaw fragment.

Leading the camels across a small salt lake.

Fossilised fish vertebrae.

Unidentified fossilised bone.

Megafauna fossil.

Megafauna fossil.