Larapinta Track Northern Territory

It is intended to complete 3 stages (stages 6, 5 and 4) each over 6 days walking from west to east starting from Ellery Creek and finishing at  Standley Chasm

 Section 6 is quite achievable in moderate terrain requiring a pack carry of 15km per day - sections 4 and 5 are remote and spectacular but also are the most physically demanding of the 12 sections

Starting at Ellery Creek  we will walk

Section 6 Grade Medium - over 2 days starting at Ellery Creek camping  at Rocky Gully (5.5 hours) water available and then at Hugh Gorge water available 4.5 hours walking http://www.larapintatrail.com.au/s6.html

Section 5 Grade Hard over 2 days from Hugh Gorge camping at Fringe Lily Creek (4.5 hours)- a dry campsite - and then Birthday Waterhole - water available - (5.5 hours) http://www.larapintatrail.com.au/s5.html

Section 4 Grade Hard over 2 days from Birthday Waterhole camping at Brinkley Bluff (4.5 hours)- a dry campsite - and on to Standley Chasm (5 hours)  http://www.larapintatrail.com.au/s4.html

Here is the proposed day by day itinerary

Saturday June 6 - travel to Melbourne and fly to Alice Springs - contracted bus travel to Ellery Creek

Sunday June 7  walk 15km to Rocky Gully campsite - water available

Monday June 8 - 15 km grade medium walk Rocky Gully campsite to Hugh Gorge

Tues June 9 - 7.5 km grade hard walk Hugh Gorge to Fringe Lily Creek campsite - no water

Wed June 10 - 7.5 km grade hard walk Fringe Lily campsite to Birthday waterhole - water available

Thurs June 11 - rest day at Birthday Waterhole - water available

Friday June 12 - 7.5 km grade very hard walk Birthday Waterhole to Brinkley Bluff - no water

Sat June 13 - 10 km grade hard walk Brinkley Bluff to Standley Chasm - bus pickup back to Alice Springs

Sunday June 14 - Alice Springs flight to Melbourne

Notes

The Larapinta trail is the classic Central Australian extended backpack trip. But at 223km its definitely best done in stages (there are a total of 12 sections) and in the appropriate season of the year. We will fly from Melbourne to Alice Springs and pay for a bus to transport us to Ellery Creek and pick us up at Standley Chasm to get back to Alice. Most of the walking is Grade 3 but there are some Grade 4 parts. Section 5 involves ridgetop walking, steep climbs, clambering over dry river beds and boulders, negotiating waterholes and snaking through thick vegetation and thick river debris in narrow gorge areas. Previous backpacking experience is therefore essential.

http://www.larapintatrail.com.au/

http://parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/walks/larapinta

Highlights:

• Walking two of the more difficult, but scenically rewarding sections of the trail.
• Taking in the 360 degree views from the top of Brinkley Bluff (for the worlds best sunrise we will be camping there!)
• Walking from the sheltered gorges around Standley Chasm to the exposed ridgelines of the Chewings Range.

The What to bring page on the MVB website has basic information. For detailed consideration about equipment specific to the Larapinta track click here