The Larapinta Trail has 12 sections over more than 230 kilometres
The Larapinta Trail runs from the Telegraph Station near Alice Springs to the summit of Mount Sonder, covering more than 230 kilometres in 12 sections. A section can involve roughly 1 to 2 walking days, so the section count is not a ready-made daily itinerary. Choose the walking distance and overnight stops to suit the terrain, weather and fitness of the whole party.
A day walk and a multi-day journey need different preparation. Many access points can be reached by vehicle, while some require high-clearance four-wheel drive. Work out arrival and departure access before committing to the walk. The West MacDonnell Ranges guide provides the wider landscape context; a sightseeing day and a trail itinerary are different ways to spend time in that country.
Day sections or a multi-day walk
A Larapinta day section suits a plan with defined access and a realistic return arrangement; a multi-day walk adds booked overnight stops, cooking supplies and a larger water plan. Select the route for the party rather than trying to fit the party to a full section. Include the journey to the start and from the finish in the day's effort and logistics.
April to September is the park authority's recommended walking season. A broader recommendation for visiting Alice Springs later in the year should not set the walking season for the trail. In the hotter months, conditions can exceed 40 °C, and physical exertion in the heat needs particular care. Use the weather and activity guide to separate a town visit from a remote hiking decision.
Larapinta planning also requires a current check of individual sections and access roads. Arrange the route around current conditions, rather than relying on the status of a nearby gorge. Keep time for a change of plan before setting out. For travel into town and vehicle planning, start with getting to Alice Springs.
Our picks: Alice Springs tours
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Uluru and Kings Canyon camping trip
- Sleeping bag included
- National Park entry fees
- All-terrain vehicle
Choose the Alice Springs departure. Camping is for two or three nights depending on the option.
Check availability →
Uluru day trip with sunset dinner
- Accredited tour guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- BBQ dinner with sparkling wine
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass is purchased separately. Pickup location depends on your selection.
Check availability →Other outings from Alice Springs
For a separate sightseeing day around your walking plans, browse Alice Springs outings and keep their transport and activities distinct from Larapinta access.
Booked campsites and three separate charges
Larapinta overnight planning involves a walking fee, a campsite charge and, where applicable, an NT Parks Visitor Pass. These payments cover different things. Book and pay for every night online in advance, and use designated campsites. The trail planning information lists 26 designated sites as well as the private Standley Chasm campground.
The overnight walking fee is AUD 25 per person per night, approximately USD 17.01, for adults and children aged 5 to 17. The cap for consecutive walking days is AUD 125, approximately USD 85.05; children under 5 are exempt. Camping is an additional charge. These figures were checked on 15 November 2026, with USD conversions at the 13 November 2026 rate for orientation rather than a USD checkout promise.
The NT Parks Visitor Pass is bought online before travel when required; NT residents are exempt and may need proof of residence. Standley Chasm has its own entrance arrangements. Keep the pass, campsite reservations and walking-fee records together so the costs of a multi-day walk stay visible. Choose overnight stops around the walking route rather than treating a general park entry as a campsite reservation.
Larapinta prohibits open fires. Use a fuel stove or provided barbecue facilities and keep cooking arrangements within the rules for the chosen stop. Camping outside designated sites is restricted to the trail's emergency exception for injury or illness; it is not a flexible alternative to booking.
Water treatment and emergency planning
Larapinta tank water needs boiling, filtering or disinfecting before use, and surface water is unreliable. Tanks are for drinking and cooking rather than washing bodies or clothes. Build the water plan around the selected route, weather, effort and fitness, with additional water for cooking and emergencies. A waterhole on a map does not replace that preparation.
The official water table gives 28.9 kilometres between Serpentine Chalet Dam and Ormiston Gorge water points. That distance illustrates why resupply belongs in the route plan. Review the water information for the actual sections and carry the means to treat supplies. Do not reduce the planning to one standard quantity across different walkers and conditions.
Larapinta walkers should travel with others, leave a route and expected return with a reliable person, and carry a satellite phone or Personal Locator Beacon. Mobile coverage should not be the emergency plan. In severe heat, seek shade and wait for cooler conditions where necessary. On remote approach drives, carry supplies and tools and remain with the vehicle if it breaks down. The accommodation guide helps organise a town base before and after the walk.
Questions about the Larapinta Trail
How long is the Larapinta Trail?
More than 230 kilometres make up the Larapinta Trail's 12 sections, running from the Telegraph Station to Mount Sonder's summit. Sections can take roughly 1 to 2 walking days each. Plan the actual daily route around access, terrain, conditions and booked overnight stops rather than assuming one section equals one day.
Can walkers camp wherever they finish the day?
No, Larapinta overnight stops must use designated campsites booked and paid for in advance. Camping elsewhere is restricted to the emergency exception for injury or illness. The overnight walking fee, campsite charge and any required NT Parks Visitor Pass are separate, so general park entry does not reserve an overnight place.
What communication equipment should walkers carry?
A satellite phone or Personal Locator Beacon belongs in the Larapinta emergency plan, alongside travelling with others and leaving the route and expected return with a reliable person. Mobile reception should not be relied on. Include water treatment, cooking water and an emergency reserve in preparations for the specific sections being walked.