New perspective on iconic Australian hiking trail

Intrepid Travel and the Indigenous-owned 100% Finke River Culture & Adventure are collaborating to offer a First Nations’ guided Larapinta Trail trekking trip as part of Intrepid’s portfolio of Australian journeys.

Trekking the Larapinta.

From May, the seven-day Trek the Larapinta Trail itinerary will take travellers into Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) in Central Australia to hike across riverbanks, desert plains and mountains, dipping in natural water holes and spending each night in a private campsite on Aboriginal land. All the while, they’ll discover the First Nations’ history of the area with Indigenous guides.

Ten departures are scheduled for 2025 alone in what’s a landmark step for Intrepid.

An Indigenous guide shows of his crab-spearing skills during an Intrepid tour in Queensland’s Mandingo Bay.

The Australian tour operator has taken customers to 100 different countries, but did not offer domestic trips. Then the pandemic happened and, like many of us, it had to pivot. Intrepid began to run Australian itineraries and now they’re a permanent part of the B Corp-Certified operator’s range.

Indigenous guides will help hikers on the Larapinta Trail gain a greater understanding of the land.

“It’s the last five years or so that we’ve really focused on building out new incredible experiences here in Australia,” says Intrepid managing director, Brett Mitchell, who says First Nations’ culture plays a huge part in that. About 70 per cent of Intrepid’s 66 Australian journeys currently include an Indigenous-focused activity.

“There’s such an incredible story here, having access to the oldest living culture in the world,” says Mitchell. “We’ve pledged to include First Nation experiences on every single one of our tours going forward in Australia. It’s not necessarily the reason why people book a lot of our trips, but undoubtedly, some of the best feedback we get post the experience is on the First Nations components. Customers are really appreciating this authentic connection.”

Now, Mitchell is planning his own Larapinta odyssey.

“I’ve never been. I intend to go soon. The scenery is incredible, whether it’s viewed climbing up Mount Sonder for daybreak, or looking up in wonder in a gorge, or swimming in water holes. It’s just incredible stuff that many people think you’d have to get to Africa to see, but it is here in Australia.”

See intrepidtravel.com