Blog home / Hiking the Larapinta: what foods can I expect?

When out on a walking adventure, the food you have often sets the tone for the rest of the trip. So making sure you're fuelled for the trail ahead is an important part of enjoying your active holiday.

And if you're in the middle of the Australian wilderness, it's impressive to see what meals our guides prepare and cook up on our guided Larapinta walks – from bush tucker tastings to three-course dinners.

View a sample menu and FAQs about the food and drinks on the Larpainta Trail can be found below.

Meals on the Larapinta Trail

Our guides have remarkable outdoor culinary skills and pride themselves on the variety, quality, nutritional levels and presentation of their meals and their ability to cater to a wide range of dietary requirements when taking travellers on one of Australia's greatest desert trails, the Larapinta.

Enjoy delicious meals at our eco-comfort camps on the Larapinta Trail | Shaana McNaught

Campfire cooking on the Larapinta | Shaana McNaught

On our full-serviced guided walks, there is often plenty of fresh fish and meat-based main dishes as well as fresh salads on the menu.

Enjoy freshly cooked meals each night at our eco-comfort camps | Shaana McNaught

A particular highlight on our Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort trip is the authentic bush tucker tasting and talk led by local Indigenous specialist, Rayleen Brown. She leads a cultural conversation and presentation along with a bush food platter that showcases a range of dukkhas, native herbs and spices, bush tomato and more.

Food glorious food; our menu includes many native bush foods | #cathyfinchphotography

So where possible, we aim to incorporate a variety of native bush foods into our menu, such as spices (e.g. wattleseed), native jams, pastes and sauces from quandongs (native peaches), Kakadu plums, bush muesli or a delicious lemon myrtle chicken.

Try native bush foods on our Larapinta walks | #cathyfinchphotography

Below is an example menu of some of the food provided on the Larapinta Trail. This serves only as a guide only as the menu will vary from trip to trip.

Sample menu

Breakfast

Brekkie ranges from cooked to continental. Usually a selection of cereals, fruit, bread/toast and quality coffee and tea.

Nothing like a hot breakfast cooked over an open fire | Caroline Crick

Lunch

We usually have a picnic-style lunch with a wide selection of bread rolls, wraps, deli‑meats, sandwiches and salad ingredients to prepare a tasty lunch how you like it.

Our guides will prepare superb picnic lunches on the trail | Shaana McNaught

Depending on the trip, you may prepare your lunch such as wraps or sandwiches in camp prior to the day's trek.

Picnic lunches are always a welcome highlight with our walkers | <i>Shaana McNaught</i>

Dinner

Our guides will prepare spectacular meals at our camps | Shaana McNaught

The main meal is usually a classic outback style meal such as grilled barramundi, camp‑oven roast, or perhaps a tasty stir‑fry or pasta dish.

Our guides will prepare delicious, fresh meals on our 'In Comfort' Larapinta walks | Shaana McNaught

This is often two or three courses, so plenty to keep you satisfied after a day on the trail.

Stir fry and rice is an example of what you may enjoy on our Larapinta guided trips | Ayla Rowe

Snacks

Snacks are served at our eco-comfort camps on the Larapinta Trail | Shaana McNaught

There is always plenty of trail snacks available such as muesli bars and fresh fruit.

In the evenings, we often serve hors d'oeuvres around the campfire while dinner is being prepared.

Smoked salmon canapes may be served on a Larapinta trip | Ayla Rowe

Larapinta Trail Food & Drink FAQs

Do I need to pack water purification tablets?

No. A water tank will be carried in the support vehicles and the guides will provide you with drinking water each day.

Do you cater to special dietary requirements?

Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure.

Note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food.

Where do you source your food from?

Where possible we will use fresh local produce, re‑supplying with fresh food every few days. All our food is sourced from the best providers and carefully selected, stored and transported so as to maximise freshness and quality.

What coffee is provided?

In the mornings, locally sourced plunger coffee is available and instant coffee or coffee bags are provided in the afternoon and evenings. You are welcome to bring your own if you wish.

There is always hot water available at our campsites.

Can I bring alcoholic beverages on the trail?

You are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer on our guided trips so you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine under the stars. The guides will bring a small number of your drinks to the campsite each night depending on how many the group request.

Drinks are to be purchased prior to departure as guides cannot restock during the tour.

Will there be a cooler available?

Yes, a drink cooler or esky is provided with ice on any of our guided Larapinta walks so you can enjoy your beverages cold at the campsite.