Larapinta trek in the Northern Territory

Planet

Since 1995 we have been offering this outstanding trekking destination. We introduced our stylish semi-permanent campsites in 2015. We worked with Neeson Murcutt Architects to design innovative, stylish and above all sustainable semi permanent campsite facilities that will enhance the experience of trekkers while at the same time minimising environmental impacts. The design won the 2014 NT Architecture Award for Small Project Architecture.

Our campsites give trekkers a relaxing base to enjoy the outback solitude between walks while enjoying the pristine desert scenery, and are designed with sustainability in mind. They feature composting toilets, which are in a clean and airy amenities shelter and use a special compost system that breaks down waste without using water or chemicals. Solar lighting systems provide sustainable and reliable light. All firewood is supplied from sustainable sources outside the National Park. All waste and rubbish is removed from the camps on a regular basis: food waste is composted, bottles and cardboard are recycled, and non recyclable rubbish is disposed of in municipal waste.

The colours, building materials and the overall style of the campsites blends in with the surrounding environment aesthetically, while the structures are designed to allow the land to recover during the off-season, maintaining the idyllic natural setting of these wilderness sites.

Our semi-permanent campsites have won the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Ecotourism award at the Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards.

Travellers are encouraged to follow our company-wide Waste Management Policy, which advocates taking your own reusable water bottles and reusable stuff sacks to avoid single-use plastics. We follow this same philosophy in our office as well as on the tour: in our London premises we have banned single use coffee cups and water bottles; we use recycled paper and we are working towards reducing the overall amount of paper we use; and we recycle all of our waste, both plastic and paper.

People

Our semi-permanent campsites would not be possible without a strong partnership with Aboriginal Traditional Owners and the NT Parks and Wildlife who jointly manage the land. This partnership ensures that the benefits of trekking tourism are shared equitably with the Aboriginal Traditional Owners whose land we walk and camp upon. Fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners are included in the trip cost. And to help encourage further understanding of cultural traditions, we include a talk about indigenous culture at Standley Chasm.

Conserving environments and cultures requires a united front with our industry partners, travellers, guides and staff. Over the years our award-winning Responsible Travel Guidebook, which presented our Travel Group’s comprehensive policies on sustainable travel, has evolved and in March 2018 the Thoughtful Traveller booklet was launched. Before your trip to Australia you are encouraged to read this easy-to-read document, which empowers travellers with suggestions about how they can be part of the solution and collectively make the world a better place when they travel.