Leaving everything behind to pursue true happiness takes courage, and Sophie Matterson has enough to go around.
The 31-year-old enjoyed a good life in Brisbane, Australia, with a job in the TV and film industry, but it didn’t make her heart sing. That’s why she decided to try a different path. Now she’s trekking across the continent with five camels in tow – and is the happiest she’s ever been!
Instagram
In 2016, Sophie switched jobs and ended up somewhere she never expected: milking camels on a dairy farm in Queensland.
“What I wasn’t anticipating was how much I would end up falling in love with these animals,” she wrote. “What was only going to be a six-month break from my ‘real job’ turned into five years of chasing camels around Australia and other parts of the world.”
After taking tourists on camel treks for awhile, Sophie decided to embark on an adventure of her own. She planned out a 5,000-kilometer (or 310-mile) trip from Shark Bay to Byron Bay before catching and training five wild camels in January 2019. Then she was finally ready to explore her country with Mac, Delilah, Clayton, Jude, and Charlie!
Instagram
By the time they set out, COVID-19 was already spreading around the world, but because they were going to travel through remote areas, they’ve been able to keep going. So far, Sophie has only crossed paths with three other humans, and while borders have since closed, she doesn’t mind waiting.
Instagram
As one might imagine, the trip can be lonely at times, but Sophie’s camels make surprisingly good companions.
“It’s quite lovely and relaxing camping with camels,” she said. Not to mention, she’s surrounded by gorgeous scenery!
Sophie hopes to arrive in Byron Bay in the next nine months. In the meantime, she’ll be enjoying every second with her best pals.
Instagram
What an incredible experience. Our hats are off to Sophie for following her heart into the desert. Way to pursue your dreams!
See more of her journey in the video below, and don’t forget to share this story with your friends. For more joy and hope, check out the Coronavirus Good News Dashboard.
Share your story & inspire the world.
If you have an uplifting story we would love to hear about it! Share it with us here.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.