FAQ

What fees do I have to pay?

Multi-day Walking Fees

The fee is $25 per person/night to a maximum of $125 for a multi-day walk.

Camping Fees

Camping fees depend on campground facilities available. Most campgrounds on the Larapinta Trail are Category B - $10 /night.

Parks Pass

All visitors to the Northern Territory require a Parks Pass to enter most national parks and reserves.

Click on following link to pay your fees:

NT Parks Booking System

How do I get to the Telegraph Station, the eastern start of the trail?

Regrettably, we do not provide drop-offs at the eastern trailhead. Your options would be to either arrange a taxi or embark on a roughly 3-kilometer walk along the dry riverbed to reach the Trailhead.

Can I leave luggage with you during the hike?

Please contact us to organise luggage storage.

How do I access my food containers?

We will drop off the containers with any extras booked to your accommodation on the day of your arrival in Alice Springs.

When will my food drops be dropped off on the trail?

We typically place your food drop containers in the storerooms within the first day of your trek start date. However, exact timing can vary depending on our workload. In most cases, your first food drop will be delivered within a day or two, with any remaining drops following 3 to 4 days later.

What kind of gear can I retrieve?

Gear retrieval is charged per container and can include any items you no longer need for the remainder of your hike.

You don't need to book gear retrieval if you only plan on leaving rubbish, as this is already included in the food drop price.

Do I need a storeroom key?

You need a storeroom key to access Ellery Creek South, Serpentine Gorge and Ormiston Gorge Food drop locations.

You don't need a key for Standley Chasm.

How do I get the storeroom key?

If your booking includes a storeroom key, it will be placed inside one of your empty containers.

All packages include a key.

If you booked transfers and food drops separately (not as part of a package), you’ll need to add a key to your booking or collect one from the Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre.

How do I return the storeroom key?

If Larapinta Express is picking you up at the end of your trek, please return your key directly to your driver.

If you're walking West to East, leave your key in your Standley Chasm container.

If you've finished your trek in Alice Springs, please place your key in an envelope clearly marked “Larapinta Express” with your name on it and leave it at your hotel's reception. Please also send us an SMS to confirm it's ready for collection.

If you have gear retrieval, you can leave the key in your container once you’re finished using it.

When is the best time of year?

The peak season typically falls within the cooler months, spanning from April to September, as summer temperatures tend to be extreme.

How long is the Larapinta Trail?

The Larapinta Trail stretches approximately 223 kilometres
from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

How difficult is it to hike the Larapinta Trail?

The trail is considered moderately
difficult, with variable terrain and some challenging sections. Hikers should be well-prepared for remote and arid conditions.

Which direction should I walk?

The Larapinta Trail can be walked in either direction.

The trail was originally planned to be from East to West, as this is the more scenic option.

One of the advantages of walking the trail in the other direction, from West to East, is that you can finish the trail on your own term, without the need of booking a transfer into town on a set date.

General Questions