Dreamed of doing the Larapinta Trail, but aren’t a fan of roughing it? Tas Walking Co’s Larapinta Signature Walk offers a way to immerse yourself in the iconic hike in comfort.
The Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory has long been known as one of the most iconic walks in Australia. The track starts just outside of Alice Springs and follows the breathtaking ridges and plains of Tjoritja/The West MacDonnell Ranges. Over several days, hikers take in the vivid, otherworldly colours of the outback and sacred sites of the Arrernte people. But the walk is no easy feat. Walkers are generally required to carry their food, drink and shelter for the duration – which totals 223 km end to end.
The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia’s most iconic walks.
But the new launch of Tas Walking Co ’s six-day Larapinta Signature Walk offers a way to experience the beauty of the trail without risking blisters. The tour includes a stay at a luxurious and exclusive eco-camp near the midpoint of the trail, meaning guests can bed down in comfort with full facilities. The eco-camp takes away the toil of roughing it, allowing guests to take in the beauty of the landscape from the plush communal lounge or their own private glamping tents.
Tas Walking Co’s Eco Camp offers a luxe home base for five nights.
This also means no heavy trekking backpacks or camping gear are necessary, as guests will be driven out to different sections of the trail for a series of day hikes. They’ll be joined by guides who will interpret the landscape, flora, fauna and spiritual sites, undoubtedly the ultimate luxury of experiencing the trail at a slow pace. Like with all of Tas Walking Co’s itineraries, home-cooked meals will be provided, paired with local wine and beer.
End each day back at camp, with home-cooked food and a local selection of wine and beer.
The Larapinta Signature Walk marks the first Northern Territory itinerary in Tas Walking Company’s portfolio, joining a slew of other great hikes across Tasmania and Kangaroo Island. The tour is the only offering of its kind that provides a luxe home base on the trail, a comfortable option for those who may not be up to the physical demands of doing the Larapinta trail on their own, or guests who simply want to experience the beauty of the Red Centre in luxury and style.
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.
The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem . It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.
For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.
“The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”
But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.
“It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”
Getting there
Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.
Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.
However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.
The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.
At one with nature
East Arnhem’slandscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy , also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.
“I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”
Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.
For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.
“I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”
The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.
Immersing in local culture
Experience authentic moments with the locals.
Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.
“I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.
Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.
Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.
“A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”
These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.
Spotting local wildlife
Step into a world where nature reigns.
The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.
Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.
“Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”
Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.
“As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”
Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.
Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.
“Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”
And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.
“The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”
For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.
