Larapinta Photography Walk
Available for private groups only
Join celebrated nature photographer Luke Tscharke for a five-day photographic journey on the incredible Larapinta Trail. During this period, ancient landscapes combine with the milky way above to provide the perfect time for a photography masterclass. The itinerary is designed to optimise opportunities for landscape and night photography. This all-inclusive trip features shorter walks with a light pack, allowing you to carry your favourite photographic gear and focus on improving your skills and knowledge to capture nature at its finest. We also we embrace dawn, dusk and the night to explore all that this unique area has to offer during these magical times of day.
This is a five-day journey through Australia's Red Centre allowing you to explore sections of the Larapinta Wilderness Trail and indulge your passion for photography. Stay each evening at our private camp, located in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges.
Beginners, artists and partners all welcome. Walks have been shortened from our signature six-day itinerary to allow for photographic sessions. The minimum is eight guests. The maximum groups size is 11.
For all enquiries please contact enquiries@taswalkingco.com.au.
Introducing Luke Tscharke
Luke is an award-winning Australian landscape, nature, and travel photographer based in Hobart, Tasmania. His major passion is inspiring people to respect and connect with the natural beauty in the world around them.
Previously working as a biologist, Luke began photography as a hobby. It soon became a full-time career and lifestyle, exploring nature, rain, hail or shine, and experimenting with the latest equipment and processing software. He has merged his passion for photography with his love of bushwalking, creating memorable natural landscape images from locations across his beloved Tasmania, wider Australia and other parts of the world.
The quality of Luke's work has been recognised by awards in many photography competitions; publications in books, calendars and magazines; and work with corporations and charities. Recent collaborations include Australian Geographic and Sony Australia.
Recommended Photography Gear List
*This gear is to be carried in addition to your other gear. Please see our Gear List for details.
Wide-angle lens — For landscapes and night photography (ideally 16-35mm or similar).
Mid-zoom lens — For wildlife, nature, and distant landscapes (24-105mm or similar).
Long-zoom lens — For distant landscapes (70-300mm or similar) (optional).
Macro lens — For flowers and insects (optional).
Tripod — Lightweight tripod suitable for carrying in a backpack when walking.
ACCESSORIES
Batteries x 3 — Fully charged. There are limited opportunities to recharge batteries at the solar-powered lodges.
Battery charger.
SD card x2 — Empty cards.
*The images below include aerial photos to give you an idea of the landscape. We will not be taking photos using helicopters, planes or drones on this Walking adventure.
Walk Itinerary and Photography Sessions
| DAY | WALK & PAINTING SECTIONS | DISTANCE (TIME) | STAY | MEALS |
| One | Simpsons Gap - Standley Chasm - Ellery Creek | 3.5kms (7hrs) | Camp | -/L/D |
| Two | Glen Helen Gorge Sunrise - Ormiston Gorge | 2.5kms (7hrs) | Camp | B/L/D |
| Three | Eagles Landing Sunrise - Ormiston Gorge Sunset | 7kms (7hrs) | Camp | B/L/D |
| Four | Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder Sunset - Finke River | 7kms (8hrs) | Camp | B/L/D |
| Five | Ochre Pits - Serpentine Gorge - Araluen Art Centre | 2.5kms (4hrs) | Camp | B/L/D |
Tthis itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions. Opportunities to take photos in remote locations are scheduled around walk logistics. We will endeavour to remain as close to the written itinerary as is practicably possible. Our guides will keep you up to date and informed along the way. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call us.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT DISTANCES MAY VARY ON TRACKING DEVICES
Day 1: Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and Ellery Creek
Distance: Approximately 7 hours walking and photography | 4km
After a briefing in Alice Springs on the first morning, we head out towards the red ridges of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges. Our first destination is Simpsons Gap for a Welcome to Country and our first photographic foray. Our guides will then take you to Standley Chasm for a walking and photography adventure. After a visit to the peaceful narrow gorges, it's time to go to Ellery Creek for a cooling swim and further photography.
Our private and exclusive campsite awaits your arrival. It is home for the next four nights. Each evening you have the chance to settle in, rest and refresh before sundowners. During the beautiful sunset light, as dinner is prepared, photographers can engage with Luke in the sunset photographic sessions. Dinner follows — a delicious three courses.
After the evening briefing, Luke's masterclass in night-sky photography takes place at the optimum time.
Day 2: Glen Helen Gorge & Ormiston Gorge
Approximately 7 hours walking and photography | 2.5km
Glen Helen and Ormiston Gorge offer a long day of exploring the ranges, where you can move through the landscape at your own pace.
The sunrise photography outing to Glen Helen Gorge is optional. In Luke's words 'Beautiful Glen Helen Gorge is a stunning place to spend sunrise. The way the early morning outback light makes the rock walls glow is simply magic'. Photographers will rise at 5.30am and head west to Glen Helen to capture the morning light. Returning to camp by 7.30am, they'll meet everyone for 8am breakfast.
Mid-morning, we'll travel to Ormsiton Gorge. Heading west from Ormiston Gorge along the Ghost Gum Walk. We meander along sandy soils and through ghost gums on the undulating foothills of the range. Views back towards Ormiston in the morning light are an absolute delight, and ahead you will see the majestic Rwetyepme / Mt Sonder. We cross tributaries of the Finke River, including Ormiston Creek. This ancient river system is considered to be the oldest in the world, following its course for over one million years.
After a peaceful lunch in the shade of the river red gums in the sandy riverbed, we return back to camp for a quiet afternoon siesta before settling in for another night of good company, hospitality, a delicious dinner, beer, and wine. Sunset and night-time astrophotography take place either side of our communal dining experience. Our safari-style dining and living tent is a comfortable place to kick back and relax.
Day 3: Eagles Landing to top of the Tjoritja / West McDonnell Ranges
Approximately 7 hours walking and photography | 7km
Today is one of the more challenging walks, as it offers a chance to climb up onto the range and set up in time to paint sunrise over the ranges. The extra effort is worth it and artists will be rewarded by witnessing the early morning light and colour. This morning requires an early 4am start and a light breakfast. The first hour walking is in the pre-dawn and we watch the country waking up. The trail involves a steady climb to Eagle's Landing. Here we set up and paint. After sunrise, an optional walk to the top of the Tjoritja / West McDonnell Ranges again rewarded with impressive views from the ridgeline across to the Chewings Range, and into a dramatic indented valley. The pace of the group and painting opportunities determine where lunch will be taken and the return to camp. Again, the heat of mid-afternoon provides an excellent time for a rest back at camp.
We take sundowners and pre-dinner nibbles with us for a sunset expedition. Ormiston Gorge is one of our favourite places and provides a beautiful place to swim and witness the gentle evening light.
It's a short transfer back to camp, where it will be time to refuel with another feast prepared by our talented guides.
Day 4: Redbank Gorge, Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder Saddle & Finke River
Approximately 10 hours of walking and photography | 7km
Today is a real highlight of the track, as we climb to Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder saddle. After breakfast, we wind steadily uphill for 3km through the shadows of Eucalypt and Acacia. The landscape is expansive and we are greeted by the spectacular views of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges. It is a truly stunning vantage point of Central Australia.
Our walk finishes at Davenport Creek. A short drive to a campground on the Finke River allows us to have lunch, paint again and a refreshing swim before returning for a well-earned rest.
The evening after a full day is ideal for a relaxed dinner. A sunset and or night-time photography expedition, will be offered for the final evening.
Day 5: Ochre Pits, Serpentine Gorge, Ellery Creek
Approximately 4 hours walking and photography | 2.5km
On the final day, we drive the short distance from our campsite to the Ochre Pits — the site of an Aboriginal quarry — to start our day walking.
We approach the Larapinta Trail on the Arrernte (Aranda) Walk and meander through the foothills just above creek lines filled with river red gums. We are once again treated to the striking colours of the landscape and surprising botanical diversity of the Red Centre, Arrernte culture, and Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges.
As we approach the range, a rocky pass comes into view. Named after the elusive nocturnal echidna, Inarlanga Pass is a spectacular narrow gorge through the Heavitree Range. The section of the trail through the Pass is part of section 9 of the Larapinta Trail. We explore the length of this enchanting gorge with its twisted metamorphic rocks and ancient Cycads. We return to the Ochre Pits carpark for our transfer to Ellery Creek Big Hole for a swim and lunch.
After this relaxing break we head into Alice Springs and arrive around 3pm. We can do a hotel drop off on the way.
Exclusive Accommodation
True shelter, something that gives protection and refuge, simple and sustainable, clean and comfortable. Our groups have exclusive use of our private campsite on the Larapinta Trail.
Larapinta Camp
The Larapinta Trail takes us to some remote locations where facilities are simple. Our private and secluded campsite, where we are based for the duration of the tour is located within Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park (between Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge). Despite the remote location of our camp, you will be provided with comfortable facilities. We have two semi-permanent outdoor toilets with a view, and showers designed for comfort and to suit the environment.
We provide luxury fully-enclosed swags with mattresses, underlays, cotton sheets, pillows and pillowcases or spacious touring tents offering privacy, two single beds, a rug on the floor and a small reading lamp. They are of standing room height and have space for your luggage. Our stylish-safari style living and dining tent is a great place to relax with a book after a sensational day on the trail. Dinner is served either sitting around the open fire under the stars or in our safari tent at our custom-made dining table.
Itinerary Details
Larapinta Photography Walk (5 days)
Price from $3,995 per person | Available for private groups of 8-13 only.
- 5-day, 4-night guided photography walk.
- Each trip requires a minimum of 10 guests (Twin Share). The maximum is 11.
Bookings
- For all enquiries and bookings please contact enquiries@taswalkingco.com.au or 1300 767 416.
Single supplement
- We do not charge for a single supplement.
Special Interest Experiences — Terms and Conditions
Our standard booking terms and conditions apply to all bookings. In addition:
- Cancellations
- more than 90 days from the scheduled departure date, a fee of $350 per person will be charged with the balance of payment refunded;
- within 90 days of departure, no refund is available. Bookings can be transferred to another name.
- Minimum numbers are required four months before departure.
- This walk cannot be booked in conjunction with any other offers and discounts.
Larapinta Photography Walk
- Return transfers between Alice Springs and the walk base
- 4-night camp stay at our in-park campsite
- All meals, non-alcoholic beverages and a selection of local beer, spirits and wine
- Use of a weather-proof jacket for the duration of the walk
- Bedding (with the exception of sleeping bags and liners)
- Two qualified guides for the duration of the walk
- National Parks Pass
Additional information
- Have a burning question? If you need further help please don't hesitate to contact our friendly reservations team.
Enquire
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