LARAPINTA TRAIL FOOD DROPS
LTTS offers food drops to most locations along the Larapinta Trail and areas of Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges NP. All of our food drops include the hire of standard 50lt containers which are clearly marked for each drop.
Food drops can only be ordered as part of a transfer or trek package
All containers used for food drops and resupply are now subject to our own strict procedures to ensure the containers are COVID-19 safe when they are delivered to you. The containers are thoroughly cleaned with TGA approved antibacterial agents before and after each use, no exceptions.
OFFICIAL STORE ROOM FOOD DROPS POINTS
Food drops can be dropped off and locked away in the official food storage points or at designated secure areas at private facilities. The storage containers remain at these locations until you arrive to collect or access them.
Standley Chasm - Private Facility
Per 50lt container, per drop*
Food drops are placed at Standley Chasm , a private enterprise. We will organise all the permissions and coordination of food drop on your behalf. There is a timing restriction for accessing your container here. You need to be at the kiosk between 830am-430pm. Outside those times the kiosk is closed and you wont be able to access your container. The storeroom key is not required here.
2020 Update: The kiosk has introduced a $5 food drop fee payable by hikers on container collection.
Ellery Creek South - Official Storeroom
Per 50lt container, per drop*
Official NT Parks and Wildlife Food Storage Point located at Ellery Creek, a major visitation area in the West MacDonnell National Park. Storage room is located in the ablution block building and is locked. You need your storeroom key to access this facility. Accessed 24/7. A CCTV camera is located at this location for improved security.
Serpentine Gorge - Official Storeroom
Per 50lt container, per drop*
New for 2020, this is an official NT Parks and Wildlife Food Storage Point located at the Serpentine Gorge area. The sea container is located about 1km south from the Serp Gorge Shelter or about 170m south west from the car park. This food drop option is mainly for hikers opting to walk the new re-routed Section 7 and using the new Ellery Creek Shelter (Ellery Creek North). For Trek Packages, a food drop here instead of Ellery Creek South is an extra $20 per container.
Ormiston Gorge - Official Storeroom
Per 50lt container, per drop*
Official NT Parks and Wildlife Food Storage Point located at Ormiston Gorge, a major visitation area in the West MacDonnell National Park. Storage room is located in the main building area where the kiosk is located. You need your storeroom key to access this facility. Access is 24/7. A CCTV camera is located at this location for improved security.
FOOD DROP FEE INCLUDES
1x 50 lt Container hire
Container delivery and collection to/from your accommodation
Placement of your container at the food drop point
3 Tier Cleaning of your containers (wash/antibacterial/UV)
COVID-19 Compliance
As of July 2018 Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Storerooms now have CCTV operating 24/7. CCTV includes low light/infra red for night monitoring.
ALL OTHER TRAILHEADS & LOCATIONS
We can provide food drops to most other trailheads, intermediate points and anywhere else in between depending on your trek package. Please note that apart from Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek South and Standley Chasm, every other trailhead location does not offer secure lockable facilities. Therefore food drops at the locations below are either cached in the bush or placed in the shelter cupboards.
Subject to Availability.
Alternate Food Drop Point
SIMPSONS GAP
Food drop point is at the SG shelter or its vicinity. We'll place the containers in the shelter cupboards which aren't secure, meaning the cupboards can be opened by anyone. We can cache the containers nearby but you'll need to know how to read a map and use a GPS.
$50 per 1x50lt container
Alternate Food Drop Point
BIRTHDAY WATERHOLE
This is a remote area food drop and requires a high clearance 4WD to get out there. Food drop point is at the Birthday Waterhole 4WD campsite, about 900m south of Section4/5 Shelter. All food drops here are cached nearby but you'll need to know how to read a map and use a GPS.
$390 for up to 3x50lt containers (same price for just one container)
Alternate Food Drop Point
SERPENTINE CHALET DAM
This is a remote area food drop and requires a high clearance 4WD to get out there. Food drop point is at the Serp Chalet Dam 4WD campsite, about 900m south of shelter. All food drops here are cached nearby but you'll need to know how to read a map and use a GPS.
$250 for up to 3x50lt containers (same price for just one container)
Alternate Food Drop Point
MOUNT ZEIL
Food cache placements at Mt Zeil. These are field cache food drops. You will need to know how to navigate and use a GPS - with precision. Enquire about availability.
$450 for up to 3x50lt containers ( same price for one container)
Alternate Food Drop Point
JAY CREEK
This is a remote area food drop and requires a high clearance 4WD to get out there. Food drop point is at the JC shelter or nearby. We'll place the containers in the shelter cupboards which aren't secure, meaning the cupboards can be opened by anyone. We can cache the containers nearby but you'll need to know how to read a map and use a GPS.
$350 for up to 3x50lt container (same price for just one container)
Alternate Food Drop Point
HUGH GORGE
This is a remote area food drop and requires a high clearance 4WD to get out there. Food drop point is at the Hugh Gorge 4WD campsite, about 700m south of shelter. All food drops here are cached nearby but you'll need to know how to read a map and use a GPS.
$450 for up to 3x50lt containers (same price for just one container)
Alternate Food Drop Point
REDBANK GORGE
Food drops here are most commonly used by hikers completed the Larapinta Trail End to End Return (E2ER) or are completing Mt Razorback. Food drops are are at different locations but all are in the bush and away from high use areas.
$80 for 1x50lt container or $120 for a 100lt container
Alternate Food Drop Point
CHEWINGS RANGE/MT GILES
These are heli-based food drops in remote locations. Service is subject to approval from NT Parks. These are field cache food drops. You will need to know how to navigate and use a GPS - with precision. Enquire about availability.
Prices vary but don't expect anything less than $800 per drop
You can order extra services with your food drops which enhance your trek options and capabilities. Contact us to discuss the options below.
GEAR RETRIEVAL
Gear Brought Back from the Field
This add-on service includes retrieving the trek containers ( with whatever items in your container you want returned) from the food storerooms or from a cache along the Larapinta Trail. Once retrieved, the containers are secured in LTTS storerooms in Alice Springs and then delivered directly to your accommodation reception/storeroom at the completion of your trek. This service can be added on during the booking process or can be requested during your trek.
EMERGENCY FOOD DROPS
2-5 hour response turn around
Emergency food drops are placed on the Larapinta Trail within 2-5 hour notice window anytime within a 24 hour period. This option is most commonly used when the replacement of food is an immediate requirement and without the resupply would result in the the trek being cancelled or severely delayed. Extra cost service.
COMMERCIAL TREK FOOD
Buy dehydrated food
FOOD CACHING
Remote or fixed locations
Caching food allows hikers to nominate specific points along the trail to have their food cached at convenient locations rather than relying on fixed trailhead locations. Food caches are hidden at either pre-designated locations set by LTTS or at locations set by the hiker. Food caching suits off track hikers requiring re-supply in remote off track areas. This option requires hikers to have competent map, navigational and GPS skills (day/night). Service is dependent on availability of vehicles and staff. Extra cost service.
STORAGE REFRIGERATION
Keeping food refrigerated before placement
We can store your food containers or specific foods from your food drops in refrigerated storage (4-6 deg C), giving you the option of pre-packing fresh food for your food drops. This option does not include us buying any food. Once you have packed your containers during pre-trek, the containers sit in the refrigerated storerooms until the time of trail placement. Service is dependent on availability of vehicles and staff. Extra cost service.
SHORT NOTICE FOOD DROPS
8-12 hour response turn around
Short Notice food drops are placed on the Larapinta Trail within a 8-12 hr notice window anytime within a 24 hour period. This is most commonly used if hikers have overused their food, or had lost or spoiled their food or in very rare instances, had food pilfered by other hikers or wildlife. This service is also popular with hikers who have had unplanned extensions to their trek or delays. Service is dependent on availability of vehicles and staff. Extra cost service.
FRESH FOOD DROPS
Fruit, Vegetables, Juices and Vegan Foods
We offer the pickup and trail placement of pre-ordered fresh food ( fruit, vegetables), juices, non alcoholic drinks, and specific dietary foods which hikers pre-pay & pre-order ( the food/drink list and placement dates). All fresh food orders are bought or picked up on the afternoon before or on the actual day the food is placed on the Larapinta Trail. Fresh food is stored in cooler bags and placed in the containers. Service is dependent on the availability of vehicles and staff.
"Amazing Customer Service and Support"
JasmineK, Trip Advisor
