The Larapinta Trail traverses the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) and was completed in 2002. It includes many sites sacred to the Arrernte people, who have permitted tourists and walkers to visit them. Larapinta is the Arrernte name for the Finke River.

The original concept for the Larapinta Trail was proposed by national park planner Alan Ginns in 1989 with the plan being for it to extend from the Old Telegraph Station just outside Alice Springs to the highest peak in the Northern Territory, Mt Zeil (Urlatherrke, 1531m). However due to the remoteness and the rugged terrain between Mt Sonder (Rutjupma) and Mt Zeil, it was decided that the trail should end at the equally spectacular Mt Sonder (1380m), the fourth highest peak in the Northern Territory. It was constructed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, utilizing federal funding and low-security prison labor.

This book was put together over three trips, one car based in 2019. The next by walking the trail with my fifteen year old son in 2023 and the last with some church friends in 2026. The 2023 trip was completed going east to west and included a four day extension walk to Mt Zeil. The 2026 trip was walked from west to east and included a side trip to Mt Giles and Upper Serpentine Gorge.

The 223km Larapinta Trail is a challenging hike, over rough terrain, with distances of up to 31km a day being covered and even experienced walkers regard it as a serious undertaking. A fact born out by the surprising frequency it appears in the news when yet another hiker needs rescuing. Travis had done the trip previously in 2023 (east to west) with his 15 year old son and planned the itineary. This time we completed the trip west to east which in retrospect I consider the better direction.

To photograph the trail with quality equipment Travis carried over 10kg of camera gear on his 2023 pass and 7.5kg of camera gear on his 2026 trip, including a drone (permit acquire).