Perfect Your Larapinta Food Drops for an Unforgettable Trek

Larapinta food drops are an important logistical element in planning the Larapinta Trail, due to the trail's extended length. With over 223 kilometres to cover and no resupply points en route, planning your Larapinta Trail food drops is important.

When I hiked the Larapinta, it was still the fall out from Covid and services were limited, so I ended up having to organise my own drop-offs. I've done the research for you and created this comprehensive guide.

Here's an overview of what Larapinta food drops typically entail: you can either manage them yourself, a method that requires a bit of planning and coordination, or engage a Larapinta trail transfers service experienced in handling such logistics.

Having organised my own Larapinta food drops during my Solo Hike of the Larapinta Trail, I will delve into both approaches, offering a comprehensive explanation of each.

Quick Links in this Guide:

What are Food Drops?
What do I put in my Food Drops?
Where are the Food Drop Locations?
Can I Organise my own Food Drops?
Do I have to use the Park's Storage Facilities?
What Services are Provided for Food Drops?
What about my Rubbish?

A full list of inclusions can be found in the Table of Contents

As well as this Comprehensive Guide to Planning the Larapinta Trail, we also have these companion guides you will find helpful:
Conquering the Larapinta Trail Solo – A Complete Guide
The Essential Guide to Food on the Larapinta Trail
Comprehensive Guide to Planning the Larapinta Trail
The Ultimate Gear List for the Larapinta Trail
Mt Sonder and Redbank Gorge

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What are Larapinta Trail Food Drops?

Larapinta food drops, also known as a “re-supply”, are caches of food and often additional gear that hikers arrange to pick at specific locations during their Larapinta Trail trek.

Supplies are pre-packed by the hikers and placed in designated spots along the trail for Larapinta food drops, either by trail transfer services or by the hikers themselves before they start their hike.

Purpose of Larapinta Food Drops

Stretching over 223 kilometres through remote and rugged terrain, the Larapinta Trail presents a significant challenge for hikers carrying all their supplies due to the bulk and weight.

This is where Larapinta food drops become invaluable. They enable hikers to restock their provisions along the way, thereby reducing their pack weight.

What to Include in Larapinta Food Drops?

As you plan your Larapinta food drops for the trail, packing can extend beyond food to essential non-food items you may need along the way. Your list might also feature:

Batteries
Gas Canisters
Strapping Tape
Clean Clothes
Charged Power Banks
Small soap or laundry powder for Standley Chasm and/or Ormiston Gorge
Blister supplies and any other medication you may need on the trail (if including medication that is temperature sensitive, you may need to use a pharmaceutical foil bag).

Note that many food drop storerooms on the Larapinta Trail are straightforward structures, with concrete block walls and tin roofs, or even a shipping container at Serpentine Gorge.

The sheds are not temperature-controlled, and as a result, they can become quite hot inside. Hikers have successfully used insulated foil bags, the kind used to transport medication, which are available at pharmacies.

If including alcohol in your Larapinta food drops, be aware of the purchasing restrictions in Alice Springs, with takeaway alcohol available only from Wednesday to Sunday during specific hours.

Alice Springs Takeaway Alcohol

In Alice Springs, takeaway alcohol is available for purchase within limited hours: between 3pm and 7pm from Wednesday to Friday, and from 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Purchases are limited to once per day.

Food Drop Locations on the Larapinta Trail

There are several specific Larapinta Trail food drop locations along the trail where hikers can arrange to drop off their supplies. These include:

Standley Chasm (Angkerle)
Ellery Creek Big Hole (near trailhead to Ellery Creek South – NOT Ellery Creek North)
Ormiston Gorge
Serpentine Gorge
Glen Helen Resort (private unofficial food storage)

How to Arrange Larapinta Food Drops

To ensure you have sufficient supplies throughout your journey, setting up Larapinta food drops can be achieved through either self-managed placement and retrieval, or by using professional trail transfer and food drop services, each with its own set of benefits and considerations.

Self-Managed Larapinta Food Drops

For hikers opting to handle their own food drops, official Larapinta food drop storage sheds are available at Ellery Creek South, Serpentine Gorge, and Ormiston Gorge.

A storeroom key can be collected from the Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre, located at 41 Todd Mall, Alice Springs, contactable on +61 8 8952 5800.

Standley Chasm, being privately owned, requires you to arrange your food drop in advance, with a service fee of $5; they can be contacted at +61 8 8956 7440.

Points to Consider for Self-Managed Food Drops:

When managing your own Larapinta Trail food drops, here are some important points to keep in mind:

Key Deposit: A refundable deposit of $50 is required when you collect the key.
Admin Fee: There's a non-refundable $10 administration fee charged by Tourism Central Australia.
Secure Containers: Use a sturdy container with a secure lid to safeguard against wildlife such as mice, dingoes, and insects. All boxes, regardless of location, should be sealed to prevent animals from gaining access—strong duct tape is recommended.

Labelling Your Food Drop

Ensure each container for your Larapinta food drops is clearly marked with your name, the date, and the date you plan to collect it.

Use a plastic sleeve, ziplock bag, or a comparable waterproof pouch to protect your label, taping it securely to the box.

Food drop boxes placed by Larapinta Trail transfers do not require an additional label.Any unlabelled food containers will be dated by a West Macdonnell National Park ranger and removed after 14 days.

Larapinta Food Drops in Non-official Storage Locations

When hiking the Larapinta Trail, you can place your re-supply containers at various points along the route, not limited to official Larapinta Trail food drop sheds. Opt for trailheads to ensure ease of access.

It is crucial these containers are all secure against wildlife—which means normal packing tape may not cut it, so be sure to use waterproof duct tape. Also important is that your label is in a waterproof sleeve.

Make sure your food storage container is hidden out of sight—an air tag or similar device can help you locate the container if you have trouble when you arrive at the trailhead. Remember, your food container will be left to the elements—exposed to hot sun and possibly rain

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Food Drop Container Retrieval

Retrieving your food drop containers on the Larapinta Trail is a personal responsibility. If you temporarily store rubbish in these containers, ensure they are re-sealed with duct tape to secure against wildlife until you return to collect them.

Larapinta Trail Food Drop Services

Commercial services offer the convenience of placing and retrieving Larapinta food drops for hikers. These services are typically offered by the same companies that manage Larapinta Trail transfers.

Opting for these services can simplify your logistics compared to self-managed food drops, though they come with a cost, typically ranging from $75 – $100 per container.

Thankfully, these containers are usually 50 litres, and can fit supplies for a group of 3-4 people.

Larapinta Trail Trek Support (LTTS) is an original provider of such services, offering a variety of packages for Larapinta Trail transfers, gear hire, and communication devices like PLBs and satellite phones.

Commercial companies specialising in Larapinta Trail food drops facilitate the process by delivering containers to your hotel, enabling you to pack the night before your trek. They retrieve the containers the following day and distribute them to the designated storage locations, ensuring you receive the necessary keys for access.

All commercial companies handling Larapinta Trail food drops manage the labelling of your containers, with some services like LTTS using barcodes and container numbers to accurately track and deliver your supplies to the designated locations along the trail.

All providers of Larapinta Trail food drops allow the inclusion of gas canisters and lighters in your drops.

Larapinta Trail Gear Retrieval

Additionally, several services specialising in Larapinta Trail food drops offer gear retrieval, whereby they dispose of your rubbish and return personal items like spent battery packs and soiled clothing to your accommodation.

Larapinta Trail Bounce Box Service

LTTS extends a bounce box service, an incredibly handy option for through-hikers on the Larapinta Trail. Essentially, after you've unpacked and used the contents of your box at one stop, LTTS will collect it and transport it to your next designated stop.

This ensures your supplies are waiting for you upon arrival, saving you the burden of carrying everything at once.

For instance, you may have a container waiting for you at Standley Chasm. After leaving there, LTTS will then move your box ahead to the next pickup point, like Ellery Creek, ready for you when you get there.

Pondering over what to include in a bounce box?

Consider packing items that you may need at each stop for comfort and practicality without having to carry them along the entire trail, such as heavy power cords, a precautionary knee brace, or a warmer jacket if the temperature suddenly plummets.

Toiletries like soap and shampoo for Standley Chasm or Ormiston Gorge
Power cords and adapters for heavier electronics that are too power-intensive to rely on solar charging alone, such as camera equipment.
Any heavier food items that would weigh your pack down – eg olive oil or peanut butter
Supportive gear like knee or ankle braces, particularly if you're prone to injuries
Additional clothing suitable for colder climates if you're expecting temperature drops
It’s also a smart move to offload non-essential items from your pack for the trail's longer legs, knowing you can reunite with them further down the path.

Chasm behind Fringe Lily Campsite (totally rec. this site!)

Larapinta Trail Food Drop Providers

For hassle-free Larapinta food drops and trail transfers, the following companies offer these services:

These companies provide a mixture of Larapinta Trail transfers, logistical support, and gear hire, in addition to arranging Larapinta food drops.

Waste disposal along the Larapinta Trail

Please note that while arranging your Larapinta food drops and trail transfers, additional services such as gear and rubbish retrieval might incur extra charges. It's handy to remember that recycling and rubbish bins are conveniently located at Ormiston Gorge and Standley Chasm for easy waste disposal.

Final Tips for Larapinta Trail Food Drops

Preparing for a successful hike on the Larapinta Trail requires careful logistical planning, with food drops playing a central role in managing your provisions and equipment.

Whether you opt for self-managed Larapinta food drops or employ the services of professional Larapinta Trail transfers, understanding the options and requirements is key to a seamless experience.

By taking advantage of the services detailed in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Larapinta Trail with confidence and ease.

Remember to assess your own needs, respect the environment by disposing of waste correctly, and choose services that align with your hiking approach. Happy hiking!