Marksmen in helicopters are shooting as many as 10,000 in five days.
"Normally they want to stay away from people and they do keep away," said John Hardy, who operates a camel tourism business in Port Macquarie. "But they do do damage."
Authorities say camels are beginning to drink water needed by humans and could pollute sources as they move in.
Australian Hospital Rescuing Koalas From Historic Bushfires