Larapinta Trail

Stretching 223 kilometres along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Larapinta Trail is one of Australia’s great desert walks. This multi-day trek traverses ancient quartzite ridges, spinifex-covered valleys, and deep gorges, offering an immersive encounter with the Central Australian landscape and its rich Arrernte cultural heritage. With a series of well-maintained trail sections, walkers can choose from day hikes to the full 12–16 day end-to-end journey, each step revealing dramatic escarpments, permanent waterholes, and breathtaking sunsets over the red centre.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Sonder (Rwetyepme) – The trail’s iconic finale; summit this 1,380-metre peak for a sunrise panorama of the entire range.
• Ormiston Gorge & Pound – A stunning natural amphitheatre with a permanent waterhole, perfect for a refreshing swim after a hike.
• Simpsons Gap – A dramatic cleft in the ranges, home to black-footed rock-wallabies and a popular day-walk destination.
• Standley Chasm – A narrow, sheer-walled chasm that glows fiery red at midday; a short, rewarding walk from the car park.
• Ellery Creek Big Hole – A deep, cool waterhole surrounded by high red cliffs, ideal for a dip and a picnic.
• Glen Helen Gorge – A wide, water-filled gorge at the western end of the trail, often reflecting the sky like a mirror.
• Aboriginal Cultural Sites – Scattered along the trail, rock art and sacred sites reveal the deep connection of the Arrernte people to this land.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most walkers allocate 12 to 16 days for the full end-to-end trek, carrying their own gear or using a supported tour. For those with less time, the central sections around Ormiston Gorge and Mount Sonder can be tackled in 3–5 days as a standalone trip, or even as a series of day walks from Alice Springs. The best walking season is from April to September, when daytime temperatures are mild and nights are cool. Plan to spend at least a full day at either end of the trail to arrange logistics and recover.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Alice Springs – The trail’s eastern gateway, offering supplies, accommodation, and the Alice Springs Desert Park.
• Kings Canyon – A dramatic sandstone canyon in Watarrka National Park, about 3 hours’ drive from Alice Springs.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – The iconic red monolith and domed rock formations, a 4.5-hour drive southwest.
• West MacDonnell National Park – The entire range that the trail traverses; explore additional gorges and waterholes by car.
• Darwin – The tropical capital of the Northern Territory, a 2-hour flight from Alice Springs and a great launch point for Top End adventures.
• Kakadu National Park – A World Heritage-listed wetland and escarpment country, reachable via a flight to Darwin and a drive east.
• Litchfield National Park – Famous for its waterfalls and termite mounds, a short drive from Darwin.

Please check official sources for current details.