Camel Milk Dairy
Camel Milk Dairy operates near Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley. Publicly presented as a small, community-focused dairy, it supplies retailers across Western Sydney. Our investigation reveals what lies behind that image.
Muswellbrook, New South Wales
PART OF THE DECEPTIVE DAIRY INVESTIGATION
The Story Sold to the Public
Camel Milk Dairy presents itself as a small, community-driven business in the Hunter Valley.
It is described publicly as the only camel dairy in New South Wales, operated by Michelle Phillips, supplying independent grocers across Western Sydney.
In an ABC News interview, Ms Phillips stated:
“It’s huge out around Auburn, Canterbury, Bankstown. We have a huge following from the Muslim community.”
The narrative is simple:
A local farmer.
A niche product.
Growing demand.
Community support.
What is not shown is the cost to the camels.
What We Documented
Animal Liberation investigators documented approximately 50 camels on site, including calves.
These animals were confined within production infrastructure and managed through identification tagging systems. Individuals were recorded as “M44”, “M4” and “F26.”
Not names. Numbers.
Our investigation revealed a very different reality.
Approximately 50 camels held on site, including calves
Identification tags used to manage animals as production units
Confinement within structured milking infrastructure
Visible signs of injury and physical deterioration
This is not a pastoral image of animals roaming free.
It is a dairy system, and like all dairy systems, it exists to extract milk for profit.
THE REALITY OF DAIRY
Milk does not exist without reproduction.
Every bottle on a shelf represents:
A pregnancy
A birth
A calf
A lactation cycle
Camels are intelligent, social, highly sentient animals. They recognise one another. They form bonds. They grieve separation.
In this system, they are confined, managed and milked.
Calves are born into production.
Individuals become inventory.
Behind the
“Small Farm” Image
Camel Milk Dairy supplies retailers in metropolitan Sydney.
This is not a hobby farm.
It is a commercial enterprise embedded in an urban supply chain.
As demand grows, so does pressure for output.
And as production intensifies, welfare becomes secondary to profitability.
What Consumers Aren’t Told
Camel milk is frequently marketed as natural, healing, and nutrient-dense.
But broader industry research shows:
There are no antibiotics registered specifically for camelids in Australia
Health issues such as mastitis, intestinal worms and skin conditions have been reported within Australian camel dairies
Consumers are rarely informed:
What treatments are used
What oversight exists
What welfare standards apply
What transparency is required
They are sold an image.
Not the system.
This Is Exploitation
Camel Milk Dairy is part of a growing industry that captures, confines and commodifies Australia’s dromedary camels.
Animals once roaming vast landscapes are reduced to production units in holding yards.
Their bodies are managed for output.
Their calves are born into the cycle.
Their identities replaced by plastic tags.
This is exploitation — dressed up as niche agriculture.
This facility reflects a broader pattern of camel commodification.
Don’t Let This Continue.
Animal Liberation is calling for:
• Stronger, enforceable welfare protections for camels
• Mandatory transparency in camel dairy operations
• Independent welfare auditing
• Legislative reform recognising camels as sentient animals — not “resources”
Australian camels deserve protection — not production.
This Doesn’t End Here
Camel Milk Dairy operates because there is demand.
Demand exists because consumers are not shown the full truth.
You can help change that.
Australian camels deserve protection — not production.
Refuse to Fund Exploitation
Choose not to purchase camel milk or camel dairy products.
Expose the Reality
Share this investigation with your community and challenge deceptive marketing.
Strengthen Legal Protections
Support Animal Liberation’s push for enforceable welfare protections and transparent oversight for camel dairies across Australia.