About Alpacas

Native to South America, the alpaca is a graceful, intelligent ruminant with three stomachs whose fleece bearing bodies are related to the Llama.

Of the Camelid family, the alpaca are very frugal with water consumption, getting a lot from the natural grasses. Alpacas come in 22 colours of fleece, have padded feet, are browsers, and can survive on low to medium pastures (so long as there are enough minerals and trace elements). Alpacas, therefore, are reasonably hardy animals.

Alpaca  is known throughout the world for its luxurious fibre and silky feel to its garments, which retain their shape and have a high tensile strength. Light, warm, soft, Alpaca wool is 'the fibre of the gods'.

Alpaca were first brought to Australia in 1858 but with a lack of support from the governor of the day, soon disappeared. 130 years later in 1988 was the next time Alpacas were brought to our shores, this time with an enthusiastic band of pioneering breeders and importers. The alpaca has been set on a course to establish its own niche in Australian agricultural, and the world's fine textile industries.

Humminghills Alpacas is striving to accelerate the improvement of alpacas, fleece (density, lustre, crimp & softness) while not compromising the conformation, health and integrity of this wonderful creature, by accessing top bloodlines from Australia and abroad for an exciting emerging industry. Suzanne and I have been busy learning many new techniques and skills to help Humminghills develop, while conforming to the industry's best practices, in the care and maintenance of both farm and animals.