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The Crossing
An epic story of leaving everything behind to find purpose, adventure and love by crossing 4750km of rugged Australian terrain with five wild camels, from the winner of the 2022 Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure Award
'The Crossing is as profound as it is moving - a tapestry of adventure, love and, of course, camels.' Tim Cope, author of On the Trail of Genghis Khan
In 2020, at the age of thirty-one, Sophie Matterson set out to walk her five camels from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay on the east coast. At a time when most of her friends were getting engaged or starting families, Sophie longed for adventure, independence and purpose. She broke up with her long-term boyfriend, packed all her belongings into saddlebags and trained her wild camels to follow her lead.
Her thirteen-month solo crossing was the ultimate test of resilience and self-sufficiency – with each state in various forms of lockdowns, Sophie would often walk for weeks without seeing another soul. She crossed harsh, remote deserts, navigated treacherously beautiful salt lakes, and visited country towns and isolated cattle stations. Along the way she survived life-and-death situations, fell in love in the middle of the Outback, and slowly began to trust herself and her own abilities.
With echoes of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, The Crossing is an empowering memoir about giving up a conventional life in the pursuit of something more.
'The Crossing is as profound as it is moving - a tapestry of adventure, love and, of course, camels.' Tim Cope, author of On the Trail of Genghis Khan
In 2020, at the age of thirty-one, Sophie Matterson set out to walk her five camels from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay on the east coast. At a time when most of her friends were getting engaged or starting families, Sophie longed for adventure, independence and purpose. She broke up with her long-term boyfriend, packed all her belongings into saddlebags and trained her wild camels to follow her lead.
Her thirteen-month solo crossing was the ultimate test of resilience and self-sufficiency – with each state in various forms of lockdowns, Sophie would often walk for weeks without seeing another soul. She crossed harsh, remote deserts, navigated treacherously beautiful salt lakes, and visited country towns and isolated cattle stations. Along the way she survived life-and-death situations, fell in love in the middle of the Outback, and slowly began to trust herself and her own abilities.
With echoes of Cheryl Strayed's Wild, The Crossing is an empowering memoir about giving up a conventional life in the pursuit of something more.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
16 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 30, 2023
I listened to this as an audiobook and I loved it. Wholesome, inspirational, feel good & well paced. I knew nothing about camels and very little about the Australian outback before hand so this was also educational for me and I really enjoyed that aspect. Somehow I also found it very relatable despite my lack of camels, 5000km trek and ability to be self sufficient in the outback. I think it was more Sophie yearning for adventure and her starting point of not very much experience. I was so proud & emotional for her at the end of her journey & I am very happy that I consumed this story. I recommend.
May 16, 2023
loved the ending of this book so much! I cried on the second last chapter. It was written beautifully although sometimes i didn't agree with her thinking i still loved hearing about how in helped make her decisions. It's made me feel like an adventure! I am also someone that seeks adventure and loves things like that so it was amazing to hear someone's journey.
June 6, 2023
I knew as soon as I saw this, I’d have to read it. I’ve read both Tracks by Robyn Davidson and also Wild by Cheryl Strayed and loved them both. I am not sure I fathom what it is that motivates people to do things like this – in Sophie’s case, walking from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay in north-east NSW, which is a distance of about 5000km the way that she would be walking it. It’s sort of impossible to imagine, walking that sort of distance. Originally she planned to do the journey in nine months, a task that would’ve involved walking up to about 25-30km a day but had to revise it and make it a two year journey instead, with a break over the summer to agist the camels and avoid the worst of the desert weather. For the most part, Sophie also did it largely alone in terms of the big picture, although when you break it down there are definitely people who help her along the way and when she meets Jimmy in South Australia, he becomes a regular fixture, often driving up to thousands of kilometres in round trips to spend some time with her between waypoints.
But mostly, it is just Sophie and her five camels: Jude, Mac, Charlie, Clayton and Delilah, all of whom were mustered wild in the year or two before the journey and trained by Sophie herself to carry her supplies. I am actually kind of terrified of camels. Where I grew up, one of the beaches is 10km long and past a certain point it’s kind of anything goes. You can take dogs, you can take a 4wd, there is a guy that has camel rides (although I’m not sure if they’re still there, it’s been a while). My grandparents paid for a camel ride for my brother and I when I was about 10 or 11, and there’s a picture that gets dragged out all the time which is me, on the back of the camel (my brother insisted on being at the front), half turned to stare at the camel right behind me, in complete terror. And although I’m much older now, nothing has changed. But Sophie loves camels, and that comes through a lot, even when they frustrate her – because camels are weirdly terrified of the strangest things and when they are terrified, they bolt. And that is terrifying, the fact that the animals carrying your worldly possessions, the things you need for your very survival across this inhospitable landscape, are prone to bolting off into the distance at any given moment.
In some ways, I feel this book is as much a love story to and about her camels, as it is about her crossing the country. They are so precious to her, not just because they make the journey possible, but because she does truly love them and comes to know and appreciate their very different personalities. They are, for long stretches, her only company and she talks to them and sings to them and lays down in the shade with them and constantly worries about them having enough feed and water and keeping their condition. Despite the fact that camels can go for long periods without drinking, having stored water in their humps, they still need considerable forage and in certain conditions, frequent water too. Keeping the camels fed, watered, happy and in good condition is a priority for Sophie, it’s a constant mental calculation.
I really enjoyed how this was broken up into two parts. The first part encompasses Sophie’s journey from Shark Bay in WA to just near Coober Pedy in outback South Australia, which involves traversing some of the most remote parts of the country. This also took place during 2020, when large parts of the country were under various lockdowns, which meant that people who had planned to join Sophie for parts of her trip, were largely unable to. However due to Sophie’s isolation and methods of travel, her permits were approved to move between states. The second part of her journey takes her up into northern South Australia where she crosses over into Queensland and moves along that border with NSW until crossing over into NSW in order to reach Byron Bay. There was a hard border involved between NSW and QLD which meant that once she crossed into NSW, she wouldn’t be able to go back to QLD (but you could go from QLD into NSW). The terrain that she traverses changes dramatically over the thousands of kilometres, places that many, if not most Australians, will never see. I had never even heard of the Anne Beadell track before reading this book. A lot of Australians really do know little about what is in the middle of this huge country.
Sophie Matterson clearly sacrificed a lot in order to do this trip – it became something she couldn’t ignore, something that she had to do and it seemed like she was willing to even self-sabotage so that it might happen. Therefore when she does undertake it, she also goes through a period of personal reflection and growth but it also comes with a lot of inner monologue and thinking about what she left behind. I mean there’s little else to do, as you walk almost 5000km through the heart of mostly isolated, remote country where you can go days, weeks without seeing another person. However there are sections where Matterson is granted assistance in terms of water and supplies, often by remote Indigenous communities and she is hosted and fed and her camels given water and they teach her about local areas and customs. There’s a lot about the people that rendered assistance, even in any small way and that’s really lovely to read. Even just the people who gave her somewhere to have a shower, sleep in a bed and provide a safe space for her camels.
Some people would probably be surprised to find that Australia has a feral camel population – I mentioned earlier that Sophie’s own camels were mustered from a wild population. Years ago, camels were used to transport supplies through parts of the interior of the country, before the building of the railway line between Adelaide and Darwin (which they were also used on). They were also used for various other things as well. After the completion of the railway, which negated the need for the herders, a lot of them just turned their camels loose as there were really no other options for them and in central Australia, there are herds of wild camels. In certain parts of the journey, Sophie must deal with those wild populations, including bulls that are violent and aggressive. There’s really only one solution to such a charging bull camel and in order to do the journey, you must be willing to do it – because it could cost you your life.
This was excellent – really enjoyed it. And if you’re interested in parts of Australia that you don’t get to read about much or just the idea of someone doing this, then I highly recommend it.
***A copy of this was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
But mostly, it is just Sophie and her five camels: Jude, Mac, Charlie, Clayton and Delilah, all of whom were mustered wild in the year or two before the journey and trained by Sophie herself to carry her supplies. I am actually kind of terrified of camels. Where I grew up, one of the beaches is 10km long and past a certain point it’s kind of anything goes. You can take dogs, you can take a 4wd, there is a guy that has camel rides (although I’m not sure if they’re still there, it’s been a while). My grandparents paid for a camel ride for my brother and I when I was about 10 or 11, and there’s a picture that gets dragged out all the time which is me, on the back of the camel (my brother insisted on being at the front), half turned to stare at the camel right behind me, in complete terror. And although I’m much older now, nothing has changed. But Sophie loves camels, and that comes through a lot, even when they frustrate her – because camels are weirdly terrified of the strangest things and when they are terrified, they bolt. And that is terrifying, the fact that the animals carrying your worldly possessions, the things you need for your very survival across this inhospitable landscape, are prone to bolting off into the distance at any given moment.
In some ways, I feel this book is as much a love story to and about her camels, as it is about her crossing the country. They are so precious to her, not just because they make the journey possible, but because she does truly love them and comes to know and appreciate their very different personalities. They are, for long stretches, her only company and she talks to them and sings to them and lays down in the shade with them and constantly worries about them having enough feed and water and keeping their condition. Despite the fact that camels can go for long periods without drinking, having stored water in their humps, they still need considerable forage and in certain conditions, frequent water too. Keeping the camels fed, watered, happy and in good condition is a priority for Sophie, it’s a constant mental calculation.
I really enjoyed how this was broken up into two parts. The first part encompasses Sophie’s journey from Shark Bay in WA to just near Coober Pedy in outback South Australia, which involves traversing some of the most remote parts of the country. This also took place during 2020, when large parts of the country were under various lockdowns, which meant that people who had planned to join Sophie for parts of her trip, were largely unable to. However due to Sophie’s isolation and methods of travel, her permits were approved to move between states. The second part of her journey takes her up into northern South Australia where she crosses over into Queensland and moves along that border with NSW until crossing over into NSW in order to reach Byron Bay. There was a hard border involved between NSW and QLD which meant that once she crossed into NSW, she wouldn’t be able to go back to QLD (but you could go from QLD into NSW). The terrain that she traverses changes dramatically over the thousands of kilometres, places that many, if not most Australians, will never see. I had never even heard of the Anne Beadell track before reading this book. A lot of Australians really do know little about what is in the middle of this huge country.
Sophie Matterson clearly sacrificed a lot in order to do this trip – it became something she couldn’t ignore, something that she had to do and it seemed like she was willing to even self-sabotage so that it might happen. Therefore when she does undertake it, she also goes through a period of personal reflection and growth but it also comes with a lot of inner monologue and thinking about what she left behind. I mean there’s little else to do, as you walk almost 5000km through the heart of mostly isolated, remote country where you can go days, weeks without seeing another person. However there are sections where Matterson is granted assistance in terms of water and supplies, often by remote Indigenous communities and she is hosted and fed and her camels given water and they teach her about local areas and customs. There’s a lot about the people that rendered assistance, even in any small way and that’s really lovely to read. Even just the people who gave her somewhere to have a shower, sleep in a bed and provide a safe space for her camels.
Some people would probably be surprised to find that Australia has a feral camel population – I mentioned earlier that Sophie’s own camels were mustered from a wild population. Years ago, camels were used to transport supplies through parts of the interior of the country, before the building of the railway line between Adelaide and Darwin (which they were also used on). They were also used for various other things as well. After the completion of the railway, which negated the need for the herders, a lot of them just turned their camels loose as there were really no other options for them and in central Australia, there are herds of wild camels. In certain parts of the journey, Sophie must deal with those wild populations, including bulls that are violent and aggressive. There’s really only one solution to such a charging bull camel and in order to do the journey, you must be willing to do it – because it could cost you your life.
This was excellent – really enjoyed it. And if you’re interested in parts of Australia that you don’t get to read about much or just the idea of someone doing this, then I highly recommend it.
***A copy of this was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
June 28, 2025
Enjoyable! Still a massive challenge to undergo even with the help of a satphone, and friends and locals along the way. I know it's not a direct comparison with Tracks, but in a lot of ways I felt The Crossing didn't quite reach the depth it intended. I would've liked more rawness, but a very inspiring adventure nonetheless. 3.5 but I'll give it a 4 because I love reading about and promoting solo female adventure.
February 1, 2024
I found this self indulgent and lacking depth . She annoyed me that she would put wild animals at risk or harm her camels for essentially a whim. Very little indigenous insights and it just seemed a bit pointless to me . A quick read at least
March 18, 2024
I'm surprised I never heard about this as she was doing it! Really good story, super inspiring
February 2, 2024
Wow! What an adventure! Trekking across Australia alone with five camels had me wondering why? But after reading Sophie’s story I’m now thinking why not? A journey of grit, determination and love. A fabulous read.
May 14, 2024
A super easy read right before bed, I thought the way Sophie wrote was incredibly authentic and a true reminder that when you are honest and true to yourself, the universe will guide you forward to where you’re meant to be
February 9, 2024
A really lovely read on such courage, determination, peace and a view into a beautiful side of humanity with everyone who helped Sophie along the way. Sophie is so humble! I loved the dedication in the book to talking about aboriginal culture being so alive in the desert. It seems simple but it is so often forgotten or ignored and I think Sophie did a beautiful job of shining a light on her learnings.
May 5, 2025
I love a good memoir and Sophie Matterson does not disappoint.
Inspired by Tracks, a sense of adventure and a love of camels, Sophie sets off with a goal to walk from the West Coast of Australia to the East.
This story is engaging, inspiring and a great yarn. Sophie faced both adversity and triumphs. She writes with great depth, explores her own feelings, and it feels quite honest.
I loved it.
Inspired by Tracks, a sense of adventure and a love of camels, Sophie sets off with a goal to walk from the West Coast of Australia to the East.
This story is engaging, inspiring and a great yarn. Sophie faced both adversity and triumphs. She writes with great depth, explores her own feelings, and it feels quite honest.
I loved it.
March 21, 2025
Loved this book, read it whilst I should have been reading A Gentleman in Moscow for our book club, so got a bit behind with that. What an adventure, what a courageous, incredibly determined young woman Sophie is! Lisa recommended it to me, and we had a quick chat about it on our Sydney get away to see Hadestown in Feb, 17, 18, 19 with Cath. Which, by the way, was totally superlative!!
July 3, 2023
What a wonderful adventure, enjoyable read.
December 4, 2023
One of a handful of non-fiction's I've finished this year. I really enjoyed this and found the writing to be quite good. I always love reading about people's stories when they do hard things. Maybe I'll cross the desert alone one day, too!
May 30, 2023
Enjoyable book to read, amazing adventure that was very interesting. I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it as it seems a similar story to Tracks, but a more modern story with different challenges that was still a great read!
September 6, 2025
An inspiring journey documented in down-to-earth simple writing.
April 17, 2023
THE CROSSING by SOPHIE MATTERSON
You’re female, over thirty, have no permanent partner, what do you do with your life? Well, how about walking with five camels across the width of Australia. That should use up some of your time.
Thus we set out from the almost most westerly point of W.A., have a splash in the ocean and head off. Of course, there are some problems you have to sort out. Like, where do you get the camels; what will you load on them, how do you get across hundreds of kilometres of private property and national parks, what about the last bit when there’ll be traffic….and that’s just some of them!
It starts and finishes as an emotional, soul searching trek wherein Sophie finds answers to some of life’s questions but raises others previously unconsidered. The camels are young, have noticeably different personalities and react in different ways to situations. In addition, they spook easily, even at things much smaller. A benign cow came into view once and they stampeded, camel-style. Sophie panicked as well and raced after them, initially dropping her guidance system. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere without a clue where your base is. Fortunately, she eventually back-tracked by following the camel prints in the sandy desert. Then what happens when a feral bull camel comes across the group is not for the faint hearted.
Her original plan was to do the whole trek in one go of around 8 months. That went out the window and she decided to abandon around half way in the remote northern part of the Flinders where there’s a camel farm, and finish it the following year.
En route she had met many interesting people, all the while still in contact with her ex, Sam, whom she still has strong, but uncertain, feelings for.
It starts to change when she returns to pick up the camels; enter Jimmy, based at the property, who was also a bit lost in life, who shows interest in both Sophie and her camels.
Though details are noticeably missing (this isn’t a romantic novel in that sense), when two people share a sleeping bag, you can but surmise what must have happened. After that, Jimmy makes several return trips to bolster her food supply and give support, thinking nothing of travelling hundreds of kilometres each way to support Sophie.
As part of planning such a journey, you have to contact so many en route (that’s after you work out the route) and the property managers are universally friendly and give more support than necessary.
Then she arrives at the Great Divide. Suddenly there’s traffic and people. At some of the villages she’s welcomed like a conquering hero; everyone wants to say “G’day”, a pub clears the parking area and designates a space for camels only and Sophie is overwhelmed initially and has trouble coping. Eventually she comes to terms with fame and accepts her fate.
The camels are boarded for a week while Sophie’s strong emotions from the completion of her trip are unleashed. After that the camels are shifted to her dad’s property at Kilcoy, before being transported back to Flinders.
While Sophie’s enjoying herself for a couple of days, one of the animals dies at Kilcoy. She’s devastated, to say the least, but eventually recovers enough to get the vehicle, that wouldn’t pass a rego check, and transport the remaining beasts back to South Australia where Sophie and Jimmy are already thinking of the next excursion……and other things.
A wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
You’re female, over thirty, have no permanent partner, what do you do with your life? Well, how about walking with five camels across the width of Australia. That should use up some of your time.
Thus we set out from the almost most westerly point of W.A., have a splash in the ocean and head off. Of course, there are some problems you have to sort out. Like, where do you get the camels; what will you load on them, how do you get across hundreds of kilometres of private property and national parks, what about the last bit when there’ll be traffic….and that’s just some of them!
It starts and finishes as an emotional, soul searching trek wherein Sophie finds answers to some of life’s questions but raises others previously unconsidered. The camels are young, have noticeably different personalities and react in different ways to situations. In addition, they spook easily, even at things much smaller. A benign cow came into view once and they stampeded, camel-style. Sophie panicked as well and raced after them, initially dropping her guidance system. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere without a clue where your base is. Fortunately, she eventually back-tracked by following the camel prints in the sandy desert. Then what happens when a feral bull camel comes across the group is not for the faint hearted.
Her original plan was to do the whole trek in one go of around 8 months. That went out the window and she decided to abandon around half way in the remote northern part of the Flinders where there’s a camel farm, and finish it the following year.
En route she had met many interesting people, all the while still in contact with her ex, Sam, whom she still has strong, but uncertain, feelings for.
It starts to change when she returns to pick up the camels; enter Jimmy, based at the property, who was also a bit lost in life, who shows interest in both Sophie and her camels.
Though details are noticeably missing (this isn’t a romantic novel in that sense), when two people share a sleeping bag, you can but surmise what must have happened. After that, Jimmy makes several return trips to bolster her food supply and give support, thinking nothing of travelling hundreds of kilometres each way to support Sophie.
As part of planning such a journey, you have to contact so many en route (that’s after you work out the route) and the property managers are universally friendly and give more support than necessary.
Then she arrives at the Great Divide. Suddenly there’s traffic and people. At some of the villages she’s welcomed like a conquering hero; everyone wants to say “G’day”, a pub clears the parking area and designates a space for camels only and Sophie is overwhelmed initially and has trouble coping. Eventually she comes to terms with fame and accepts her fate.
The camels are boarded for a week while Sophie’s strong emotions from the completion of her trip are unleashed. After that the camels are shifted to her dad’s property at Kilcoy, before being transported back to Flinders.
While Sophie’s enjoying herself for a couple of days, one of the animals dies at Kilcoy. She’s devastated, to say the least, but eventually recovers enough to get the vehicle, that wouldn’t pass a rego check, and transport the remaining beasts back to South Australia where Sophie and Jimmy are already thinking of the next excursion……and other things.
A wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
September 12, 2023
Book 31/2023
The Crossing by Sophie Matterson is a memoir of a woman, who set out to walk her five camels from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay on the East Coast of NSW. Walking 4750 kilometres of untamed Australian wilderness this captivating memoir recounts her remarkable journey with five wild camels and stands as a testament to the unyielding human spirit.
Sophie’s original plan was to complete her journey in nine months, walking approximately 25-30km a day but once in the elements Sophie made a reassessment and for the best welfare of the camels decided to make the journey over two years allowing the camels to spell over the summer and avoid the worst of the desert weather.
As Sophie walks she unpacks her thoughts and feelings on her recent brake up with her long-term boyfriend, her longing for adventure, independence and purpose.
Through Sophie’s descriptive prose you are vividly transported to the heart of the Australian outback. This is a story of the ultimate test of resilience and self-sufficiency, often walking weeks without seeing another soul. She endeavours the harsh Australian sun, dry winds, and the rugged terrain that she and her camels traverse. Beginning her walk in 2020 Sophie also has to navigate her way around various Australian states in the midst of covid lockdowns.
This thing I liked the most about the book is that it is a true show that the Australian spirit is truly alive. Sophie along the way visits country towns and isolated cattle stations, meeting fellow Australian’s who were mostly encouraging and willing to help her wherever they could. She also meets Jimmy, who gives Sophie his unwavering commitment to assist her in any way possible so that she completed the journey.
I recommend The Crossing for anyone who loves an epic and inspiring tale of an adventurous spirit who embarks on a transformative journey across the Australian wilderness with her wild camel companions. It’s a testament to the power of adventure, self-discovery, and the enduring connection between humans and nature. If you’re drawn to tales of exploration and resilience in the face of adversity, this memoir is a must-read.
The Crossing by Sophie Matterson is a memoir of a woman, who set out to walk her five camels from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay on the East Coast of NSW. Walking 4750 kilometres of untamed Australian wilderness this captivating memoir recounts her remarkable journey with five wild camels and stands as a testament to the unyielding human spirit.
Sophie’s original plan was to complete her journey in nine months, walking approximately 25-30km a day but once in the elements Sophie made a reassessment and for the best welfare of the camels decided to make the journey over two years allowing the camels to spell over the summer and avoid the worst of the desert weather.
As Sophie walks she unpacks her thoughts and feelings on her recent brake up with her long-term boyfriend, her longing for adventure, independence and purpose.
Through Sophie’s descriptive prose you are vividly transported to the heart of the Australian outback. This is a story of the ultimate test of resilience and self-sufficiency, often walking weeks without seeing another soul. She endeavours the harsh Australian sun, dry winds, and the rugged terrain that she and her camels traverse. Beginning her walk in 2020 Sophie also has to navigate her way around various Australian states in the midst of covid lockdowns.
This thing I liked the most about the book is that it is a true show that the Australian spirit is truly alive. Sophie along the way visits country towns and isolated cattle stations, meeting fellow Australian’s who were mostly encouraging and willing to help her wherever they could. She also meets Jimmy, who gives Sophie his unwavering commitment to assist her in any way possible so that she completed the journey.
I recommend The Crossing for anyone who loves an epic and inspiring tale of an adventurous spirit who embarks on a transformative journey across the Australian wilderness with her wild camel companions. It’s a testament to the power of adventure, self-discovery, and the enduring connection between humans and nature. If you’re drawn to tales of exploration and resilience in the face of adversity, this memoir is a must-read.
October 26, 2024
In The Crossing, Sophie Matterson brings readers along on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of companionship as she recounts her solo trek across Australia with five camels. This memoir combines adventure, introspection, and the beauty of Australia’s vast and varied landscapes to create a captivating narrative that explores both physical endurance and emotional growth.
The story begins with Matterson’s decision to leave her familiar life behind and undertake the monumental challenge of crossing Australia on foot with only her camels for company. Through her vivid storytelling, she allows readers to feel each gruelling step of the journey, from the intense desert heat to the remote outback's harsh and stunning beauty. Her descriptions of the land and her journey are both informative and poetic, immersing readers in an experience that feels deeply rooted in the Australian terrain.
Matterson's bond with her camels – Jude, Mac, Delilah, Charlie, and Clayton – forms the heart of the memoir. Her evolving relationship with these animals, each with its own distinct personality, adds depth to her story, highlighting themes of trust, patience, and mutual reliance. As Matterson faces the challenges of navigation, isolation, and exhaustion, her connection with her camels offers companionship and keeps her grounded in her purpose.
What sets The Crossing apart from other travel memoirs is Matterson’s honest reflection on the inner journey she undergoes. The solitude of the outback pushes her to confront personal fears and insecurities, and her transformation unfolds in a way that feels authentic and relatable. She writes candidly about moments of doubt and vulnerability, but also about the empowering realization of her own resilience. This personal growth is as central to the story as the physical journey itself. Sophie Matterson’s journey across Australia, marked by both hardship and wonder, will resonate with readers who crave adventure, connection, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
The story begins with Matterson’s decision to leave her familiar life behind and undertake the monumental challenge of crossing Australia on foot with only her camels for company. Through her vivid storytelling, she allows readers to feel each gruelling step of the journey, from the intense desert heat to the remote outback's harsh and stunning beauty. Her descriptions of the land and her journey are both informative and poetic, immersing readers in an experience that feels deeply rooted in the Australian terrain.
Matterson's bond with her camels – Jude, Mac, Delilah, Charlie, and Clayton – forms the heart of the memoir. Her evolving relationship with these animals, each with its own distinct personality, adds depth to her story, highlighting themes of trust, patience, and mutual reliance. As Matterson faces the challenges of navigation, isolation, and exhaustion, her connection with her camels offers companionship and keeps her grounded in her purpose.
What sets The Crossing apart from other travel memoirs is Matterson’s honest reflection on the inner journey she undergoes. The solitude of the outback pushes her to confront personal fears and insecurities, and her transformation unfolds in a way that feels authentic and relatable. She writes candidly about moments of doubt and vulnerability, but also about the empowering realization of her own resilience. This personal growth is as central to the story as the physical journey itself. Sophie Matterson’s journey across Australia, marked by both hardship and wonder, will resonate with readers who crave adventure, connection, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
September 23, 2025
I read this in two days - as I enjoyed this so much. This is a refreshingly honest account of an intrepid journey undertaken by a 32 year old Australian woman across Australia from west (Shark Bay) to east (Byron Bay). Sophie Matterson's journey was broken into two stints over two years as she faced Covid restrictions and the unimaginable brutality of summer conditions in the desert. Still she demonstrated incredible resilience, determination, self-sufficiency and gratitude as she walked over 5,000 kms with 5 camels that she had trained and had to protect as they protected her.
Some comments that Sophie was self-indulgent or didn’t include enough detail about indigenous peoples are ridiculous! She knew her limits, openly admitted her failings and loved and cared for her camels to the best of her ability - even shooting amorous rogue bull camels when necessary! The descriptions of the landscape, weather extremes, night skies and the unexpected help she received along the way from indigenous people, pastoralists and random travellers was nothing short of remarkable - plus the love story that slowly developed in spite of long periods of loneliness and aloneness (yes there's a difference ). It's an epic adventure where Sophie got to know herself and followed her dream to live a life with no regrets. Highly recommended reading.
Some comments that Sophie was self-indulgent or didn’t include enough detail about indigenous peoples are ridiculous! She knew her limits, openly admitted her failings and loved and cared for her camels to the best of her ability - even shooting amorous rogue bull camels when necessary! The descriptions of the landscape, weather extremes, night skies and the unexpected help she received along the way from indigenous people, pastoralists and random travellers was nothing short of remarkable - plus the love story that slowly developed in spite of long periods of loneliness and aloneness (yes there's a difference ). It's an epic adventure where Sophie got to know herself and followed her dream to live a life with no regrets. Highly recommended reading.
October 10, 2023
I am always interested in these 'journey' stories, in this one Sophie Matterson walks with five camels from the most westerly point of Australia to the most easterly. A huge achievement especially when you consider the difficulties of being an inexperienced camel handler and trainer using camels fresh from the wild. The five camels are Jude, Mac, Charlie, Clayton and Delilah, and I enjoyed learning about their different personalities as the walk progresses.
The walk begins as the world is locking down for Covid-19 and this does mean that some of the journey is more alone than planned, but as well as that we do get to read about the interesting people Sophie meets along the way. We also read about the difficulties of being entirely alone with the camels for the outback parts of the walk, and then the difficulties of walking camels through the more populated and busy parts, and particularly the stress and danger of managing the camels along busy roads.
I found this an enjoyable and interesting read.
The walk begins as the world is locking down for Covid-19 and this does mean that some of the journey is more alone than planned, but as well as that we do get to read about the interesting people Sophie meets along the way. We also read about the difficulties of being entirely alone with the camels for the outback parts of the walk, and then the difficulties of walking camels through the more populated and busy parts, and particularly the stress and danger of managing the camels along busy roads.
I found this an enjoyable and interesting read.
January 31, 2025
I loved this book. I am a sucker for an outback memoir, and this one was very enjoyable. I saw it at the Kent Saddlery in Stanthorpe and, being the loser that I am, decided to buy it, a book, instead of any saddlery-related items.
I love the outback and I love camels. Two wonders of creation. The outback is the ultimate reprieve from our modern addictions to distraction and short-attention. It demands attention while allowing for minds to wander as you experience the rhythms of the land. Camels are the ultimate creatures of resilience, able to survive for weeks without water while carrying massive loads.
I was expecting the writing to be merely “serviceable” because Matterson is an expert in Camels and adventures, not necessarily writing, but in the end I found the writing “compelling”.
She communicates the ups and downs of the journey with hope and honesty and invites us to consider what adventures we may be able to pursue, as readers, in our own lives.
I love the outback and I love camels. Two wonders of creation. The outback is the ultimate reprieve from our modern addictions to distraction and short-attention. It demands attention while allowing for minds to wander as you experience the rhythms of the land. Camels are the ultimate creatures of resilience, able to survive for weeks without water while carrying massive loads.
I was expecting the writing to be merely “serviceable” because Matterson is an expert in Camels and adventures, not necessarily writing, but in the end I found the writing “compelling”.
She communicates the ups and downs of the journey with hope and honesty and invites us to consider what adventures we may be able to pursue, as readers, in our own lives.
May 27, 2023
THE CROSSING by SOPHIE MATTERSON
Sophie plan is to walk with five camels across the width of Australia, sets out from the westerly point of W.A Shark Bay and head to Byron Bay, have a quick splash in the ocean and head off. But in time Sophie realise she could not do it all at once she split the journey.
The camels are young, have noticeably different personalities and react in different ways to situations. In addition, they spook easily, even at things much smaller. A benign cow came into view once and they stampeded, camel-style. Sophie panicked as well and raced after them so to not lose her camel with all her supplied, Satellite phone, GPS, maps, water and food.
What an amazing adventure Sophie done and put herself through, the good times and the bad times, a great read.
Sophie plan is to walk with five camels across the width of Australia, sets out from the westerly point of W.A Shark Bay and head to Byron Bay, have a quick splash in the ocean and head off. But in time Sophie realise she could not do it all at once she split the journey.
The camels are young, have noticeably different personalities and react in different ways to situations. In addition, they spook easily, even at things much smaller. A benign cow came into view once and they stampeded, camel-style. Sophie panicked as well and raced after them so to not lose her camel with all her supplied, Satellite phone, GPS, maps, water and food.
What an amazing adventure Sophie done and put herself through, the good times and the bad times, a great read.
May 21, 2024
32 year old Sophie was working for a camel tour business when she decided to walk across Australia with 5 camels from Shark Bay to Byron Bay.
For an amateur author she writes very well describing all the adventures and insights she had slowly leading her camels 4500km across huge deserts and eventually the suburbs to the Pacific Ocean. She agonised over breaking up with her boyfriend who wouldn't come with her but eventually met another who helped her enormously with the huge task she had set herself. The story is full of wonderful descriptions of the many moods of the desert from dawn sunrises, occasional thunderstorms to beautiful sunsets. Well worth reading
For an amateur author she writes very well describing all the adventures and insights she had slowly leading her camels 4500km across huge deserts and eventually the suburbs to the Pacific Ocean. She agonised over breaking up with her boyfriend who wouldn't come with her but eventually met another who helped her enormously with the huge task she had set herself. The story is full of wonderful descriptions of the many moods of the desert from dawn sunrises, occasional thunderstorms to beautiful sunsets. Well worth reading
October 23, 2024
Sophie, a young g woman in her early 30’s trekked from WA to Byron Bay with 5 camels during COVID.
Sound familiar?
While a few comparisons and similarities are drawn between Robyn Davidson’s ‘Tracks’ and this trek by Sophie herself it is still a very different book and feel.
I particularly enjoyed her clear and vivid descriptions of the Australian outback’s people, geography and her day to day challenges.
Having been to many areas Sophie walked through also brought back many lovely memories for me.
Sound familiar?
While a few comparisons and similarities are drawn between Robyn Davidson’s ‘Tracks’ and this trek by Sophie herself it is still a very different book and feel.
I particularly enjoyed her clear and vivid descriptions of the Australian outback’s people, geography and her day to day challenges.
Having been to many areas Sophie walked through also brought back many lovely memories for me.
January 30, 2024
I was recommended this after I rated Wild 2-stars. And it's a vast improvement on that book. Both about women traversing the wild on their own, but very differently written. Sophie Matterson's story is more about the preparation and planning, her travel experience, the journey, and the landscape along with personal angst rather than the self-obsessed, navel-gazing, naive un-prepared-ness of Cheryl Strayed. I liked it but not a book I would re-read.
October 25, 2024
Wow. What an inspirational true story. I am in awe of Sophie's courage and mettle leading 5 camels through arguably the most hostile country on Earth. Through blistering sun, rain and wind they pressed on. Then being treated like a circus show on the last stretch. I'd have lost it. Well done. I cried when Jude died. It just didn't seem fair to have travelled so far and them wham.
Looking forward to future books.
Looking forward to future books.
August 2, 2025
An inspiring memoir of Sophie Matterson’s 4,750 km solo trek across Australia with five wild camels. After leaving behind a conventional life, Matterson sets out to find freedom and self-reliance in the vast, often unforgiving Outback. Her deep bond with the camels, vivid descriptions of remote landscapes, and honest reflections on solitude, survival, and purpose make this a phenomenal read for anyone drawn to adventure, animals, or personal reinvention.
August 22, 2023
Audiobook
What a tremendous undertaking! And so special for it to be done with five characterful camels!
Matterson's description of the outback scenery is beautiful, and does put some areas on my 'wish to see' list!
I'm so happy for Matterson that she met Jimmy, he sure sounds like a keeper!
Pleasant to listen to as an audiobook, but not wildly amazing as a piece of writing.
What a tremendous undertaking! And so special for it to be done with five characterful camels!
Matterson's description of the outback scenery is beautiful, and does put some areas on my 'wish to see' list!
I'm so happy for Matterson that she met Jimmy, he sure sounds like a keeper!
Pleasant to listen to as an audiobook, but not wildly amazing as a piece of writing.
January 13, 2024
What an amazing memoir and woman. She has showcased the harshness of the Australian outback while also featuring some truely open hearted people who she met on her journey. And those camels!!! There is no way of reading this book and not having a new appreciation for those animals. When I finished the book it was unknown who took who on the journey.
April 3, 2024
Enjoyed the description of the landscape, and good on the author for following her dream. Really could have done without the sideline in her romantic travails, which spoiled this promising narrative for me
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