The idea of walking the Larapinta trail emerged while we were walking the Overland Track in Tasmania.  Sarah had never been backpacking before and after the Overland was keen to do some more.  We then undertook the Penisula Circuit at Freycinet National Park, a 2 day backpack on Wilsons Prom and then the Thorsbourne Trail on Hnchinbrook Island.  After the Thorsbourne Trail we started researching the Larapinta Trail and as our Big Lap of Australia trip would take us to Alice Springs we decided this would be a great opportunity to undertake the Larapinta.

What is the Larapinta Trail?

It is a 223km hike through the West Macdonnell Ranges National Park leading from Alice Springs to Redbank Gorge/Mt Sonder.  The hike is split up into 12 sections and there are many ways to divide up the hike in terms of the sections and number of days you will plan to walk it.  To share our experience and how we went about planning this backpacking trip we have produced a 4 part guide which I detail below.  However to wet your appetite here is our highlights video from the trail…

Our 4 Part Guide to the Larapinta Trail…

Part 1 – Introduction – This Post!

Part 2 – Planning the Trek

How we went about planning this trip, where to find information and which company to use for supporting you on this Trek.  We also include a download of our day to day trip plan which you can use and adapt to your own Trek.  We undertook the Trek in 18 days and have provided a view on the number of days required to complete this.  Click here to jump to Part 2.

Part 3 – Trek Diary

This covers our own experience on the trail based on the trip plan we had put together covering the 18 days we spent undertaking the trail.  Click here to jump to Part 3.

Part 4 – Gear List

A list of the gear we took on the trail and some tips.  Click here to jump to Part 4.

Richard

For Backpacking gear checkout out The North Face Australia.