Women’s Own
Desert Trek -
The Larapinta
The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's great walks, which offers hikers of all levels the ultimate Central Australian wilderness experience.
Running 223 kilometres along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges, from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, is the Larapinta Trail where trekkers experience one of the most dramatic landscapes of Central Australia while travelling through chasms, along the ranges and swimming in waterholes. This walk weaves itself amongst some of the world's most ancient metamorphic and igneous rock and boasts nearly 600 species of rare flora.
The Trek takes in the most spectacular scenery of the Larapinta Trail over a 7-day journey. This is a fully supported trek with a 4WD vehicle to transport your luggage and meet you at the campsites with the most delicious bush tucker to be found under the stars. You only need to carry a small daypack.
With amazing sunrises and sunsets you will find the beauty and grandeur truly inspirational. Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Red Centre. You will trek 12 to 18 km per day, taking in the splendid beauty with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Australian outback. Discover the magic and mysteries concealed within this ancient environment and be swept away by dreamtime legends of the area.
Ormiston Gorge
The journey will begin by heading for Ormiston Gorge where you may spot the Black Footed rock wallabies hopping between the ghostly gums, and trek through the mesmerising, dramatic landscape that once inspired Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira.
The trail is then followed from Ormiston Pound to the mouth of the Finke River. Lose yourself in the magic of dreamtime with a visit to the sacred site known to the Arrernte people as ‘Yapulpa’, which is part of the Carpet Snake Dreaming legend.
Relax at the campsite and wander through Glen Helen after nightfall to experience its majestic cliff faces and moody landscape in a different light. At Redbank Gorge you can float over the icy water and enter the eerie caverns in one of the Red Centre’s less traversed gorges between polished, multi-hued walls. Its cathedral atmosphere and vivid colours are well worth the effort.
Explore the Dreamtime
Rise early to witness the sunrise illuminate one of the Red Centre’s highest peaks at Mt Sonder. Scale the mountain that inspired many of Namatjira’s watercolours and explore the dreamtime site of ancestral goanna spirits. Camping out under a sea of stars in the outback is a highlight of the Trail experience. A unique adventure in great company.
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