2020 Fifty Cent Afghan Cameleers - Pioneers of Inland Transport (50c) Uncirculated Australian Decimal Coin

The Afghan cameleers who travelled to Australia made a significant contribution to the exploration of Australia's inland, and to the development of Australia as a multicultural nation.

To commemorate their work, the Royal Australian Mint has released a special 50c uncirculated coin.

In 1859, the Victorian expedition committee commissioned the import of 24 camels and three cameleers from India, to join the pioneering expedition of Burke and Wills. This was the start of a significant contribution made to Australia's inland development by many cameleers who came to Australia from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey and elsewhere.

Camels were very well suited to transport and exploration in Australia's inland, being the optimal species to manage difficult terrain and survive scarce water supplies.