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Ben Griggs - guide

"I was up early walking along one of the high remote ridges. As I began the arduous descent into the distant valley I heard a chuckle. I thought I was alone in this remote place but as the chuckles increased and the scent of good coffee wafted on the breeze, I knew I was about to enter good company. In a difficult place, the sound and smells became comforting. I began to feel the ease of where I was. With a grin on his face and a glint in his eye he appeared, Ben Griggs clear, strong and confident. A great man who can turn a hard place into a beautiful experience. Keenly passionate about where he is and always delighting in the many aspects of his natural surrounds." "After more than half a lifetime as a guide I meet very few people who seem called to this profession but Ben is one of those people and its a true privilege to have have him with us." - Shane.

Mark Carter - guide

Mark Carter has worked for eight years as a guide in the ecotourism industry, with five of those as a specialist wildlife guide in locations as diverse as the Scottish Hebridean Islands, the deserts and mountains of North Africa and the Tasman Sea, and the Red Centre.

Mark is a relative of David Livingstone, the 19th Century Scottish explorer who travelled Africa. “It certainly influenced me when I was younger. I always had the sense that there was a big world out there and that exploring it was the obvious thing to do when you grew up!”

A lifelong birdwatcher, Mark has a life list of well over 2000 species seen. Passionate about sharing his knowledge and love of Australia’s desert birds, he is our specialist guide for the Birdwatching Tours .

Shane Fewtrell - guide

Shane, the owner of Trek Larapinta, has 17 years experience guiding and operating bushwalks and adventure activities and supporting cultural tourism.

“I first came to the Territory in 1998 and felt a sense of place and connection with the country. I’d come up to volunteer with Parks & Wildlife to help with the clean-up of Edith Falls after the ’98 Katherine Floods. After a travelling and guiding in various places, I started working on the Larapinta Trail in 2002.

"Since then, the Trail has become an intrinsic part of my life. I'm constantly learning and discovering new things. It's a privilege to work out here, and I look forward to sharing the experience with you." — Shane.

Andrew Larner - guide

Emerging from his forest hideaway in the hills of northern Tasmania and begining his migration to the centre of Australia, the elusive 'Andrew' starts his yearly roaming on the Larapinta Trail.

He was first sighted in the area in 2003 and has become a regular feature to the deserts winter landscape ever since. He is a true modern bushman and one of a kind as he lives his craft among us. An inspiration to those of us who work with him and well, just a good bloke your bound to have good yarns and be well looked after by him. Then... as it starts to warm or if he just feels like it, as quick as he appeared he goes back , back to the source of his inspiration." shane

Ada Lechleitner - Indigenous tour host, Town Bore Aboriginal Outstation

Ada Lechleitner is Custodian of Town Bore Aboriginal Outstation. She is developing a tourism business to promote sustainablity and independence for the outstation. A strong Indigenous woman, she invites people to come for an intimate experience of life on Aboriginal Land.

To those who came and visit on one of her Waritja Trips, she shares her dot-painting, craft skills and some of her personal and traditional stories. "Come and spend time with us where we live," she says. "Experience our culture, country & life."

Ada also does cultural awareness training for Trek Larapinta Guides.

The McCormacks - Indigenous tour hosts, Thakaperte Aboriginal Outstation

"Werte! That’s how we welcome visitors in our own language, Tyurrety Arrernte. I am Stephen McCormack, the proper Boss for this country and I’d like to invite you to spend some time with us here at Thakaperte. (You can visit the Thakaperte web site).

“The things we like to show to visitors are the things we do every day, like collecting and cooking up bush food, looking after the horses, making paintings and sitting around telling stories.

"It’s a relaxed style with all the family getting involved. Come join us. You’ll find it easy to fit in.” — Stephen and Gloria McCormack.