Australia - Desert Trek
By Marika Martinez

The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's great walks, which offers hikers of all levels the ultimate Central Australian wilderness experience.

Running 223 kilometers 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 traveling 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.

Desert, Flora and Fauna, More than Meets the Eye.
Contrary to what many people assume, Central Australia is anything but a flat monotonous desert. Alice Springs is located at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges which stretch for over 400km in an east-west direction in parallel ridges with flat valleys between. They were formed through massive earth movements some 300 million years ago, breaking up what was then a sea bed as fossil remains testify. Being so old and weathered, generally they extend up only around 300 metres from the valley floor but are a sensational sight and more importantly, facilitate a number of permanent water holes and provide sanctuary to a large number of plant and animal species.

Just south of the West MacDonnell Ranges are the Gardener and James Ranges and a little further south-east is the George Gill Range which is home to the infamous Kings Canyon at Watarrka National Park, the site where the cult movie 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert' was shot. Another 120km or so further south-east lie Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which rise approximately 350 and 500 metres respectively from the desert floor. The greater area around these two icons is a sandy plain with low lying sand dunes.

Even though the region of Central Australia only receives between 100 - 300 mm of rain per annum, there is still a rich and diverse range of plants and animals. A large part of this diversity can be attributed to these mountain ranges and rock formations. They can assist this diversity in a number of ways, namely; they can influence and often increase local rainfall, provide permanent or semi-permanent water holes, moderate temperatures compared to sand environments and provide shelter and refuge in caves, overhangs and crevices.

A 7-day trek takes in the most spectacular scenery of the Larapinta Trail. 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.

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.

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.