Llamas are docile camelids related to alpacas, guanacos and vicunas. They can carry up to 40kg for 20–30km a day. Mature llamas weigh from 80 to 200 kilograms, with males tending to be slightly larger. Normal lifespans are 15–20 years.

Llamas are multi-stomached ruminants that chew their cud, their digestive system being so efficient, they require relatively low quality feed. Their pelleted droppings, similar to sheep’s, are virtually odourless and are generally deposited in a communal dung pile. This neatness minimizes parasite contamination, reduces fly problems and makes cleanup easy. Their effective digestive system also helps to eliminate introduction of noxious weeds into the environment. Breaking camp is easy, shovel or scatter the pile. Llamas eat grass, hay and a little grain supplemented with minerals. They also like our Australian native flora but, being browsers, do little damage to the plants.

Llamas have a striking beauty owing to their elegant posture and graceful movement. Their wool ranges in colour from white to black, with shades of grey, brown, red and roan in between. Short-woolled llamas do not require shearing and are more valued as performance animals. Their high intelligence and docile nature make llamas easy to train to carry a pack, be ridden by children or pull a cart.In tourism, llamas are being used to link accommodation establishments. Patrons are guided from the first to the second destination with llamas as escorts. Llamas transport food, beverage and personal items in panniers on their backs, leaving the humans free to enjoy the trail without the encumbrance of a backpack. Luggage, vehicle and hikers are connected at the end of the journey.

Llamas are able to offer a special service and educational opportunity unrivalled by any other pack animal.
Llamas don’t bite, don’t dig, don’t bark and don’t have fleas!

With 6,000 years of working with humans, llamas offer the service of a horse with the upkeep of a dog! But, the over-riding feature of this humble pack animal, is its charisma. A theatrical, at times comical, companion who engages its handler with its charm while offering a willing service.

Cottage

Llamas

Kangaroos

Birds

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