View the Red Centre's spectacular landscape from a unique perspective while walking the majestic West MacDonnell Ranges on the Larapinta Trail.
Watching the desert emerge from beneath a blanket of darkness as the rising sun creeps above the horizon, bathing the landscape in a soft golden light, is one of the Red Centre's most memorable experiences. It’s even more unforgettable when viewed from the summit of one of the Northern Territory’s highest peaks, Mt Sonder.
To get to the top of Mt Sonder before first light means a very early start. But some things are worth the sleep deprivation, and the views from the summit as dawn breaks are definitely worth the 2am wake-up call.
Walking up a mountain in the dark is just one of many extraordinary moments on the Larapinta Trail. One of the world’s great long-distance hikes, the 223km trail snakes along the backbone of the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges (aka the West Macs), and is an adventure like no other.
The trailhead begins on the outskirts of Alice Springs at the historic Telegraph Station. Established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, the station marked the beginning of European settlement in the area.
The first days’ walk to Simpsons Gap, a sacred waterhole surrounded by towering red rock walls, is a stunning introduction to what’s in store, leaving town behind as you walk along the spine of Euro Ridge, the tilted folds and weathered peaks of the West Macs stretching out towards the horizon. These rugged mountains are home to several beautiful gorges and waterholes, places like Ellery Creek Big Hole, where floating in an icy-cold waterhole as the sun goes down is the perfect way to soothe sore muscles after a day on the trail.
Other wonderful spots along the trial include Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Serpentine Gorge and Birthday Waterhole. Walking into these magical and often sacred places provides a whole new perspective that comes from walking slowly through the landscape.
The Larapinta Trail is divided into 12 sections with bush camps at the end of each one. You can do small sections as day walks or take on the entire Larapinta Trail over approximately 12 days. You'll need to be self-sufficient, carrying all your own food and camping gear. Water is usually available from rainwater tanks at many trail-side campsites.
You don’t have to do the whole trail to see the highlights though – most are accessible on day walks that leave from picnic and camping areas in the West MacDonnell National Park, which can all be accessed along the Red Centre Way, a scenic driving route that will eventually lead you Kings Canyon and beyond to Uluru.
You can also walk the trail with adventure travel companies on fully guided walking holiday. The advantage of a guided hike on the Larapinta Trail ensures you'll see all the must-see sights on the trail with overnight stays in three luxury safari camps, complete with hot showers and camp cooks who whip up tasty meals while you relax. With no need to haul a heavy pack, it’s the best way to absorb the jaw-dropping scenery.
