For one of the most isolated places on earth, the Larapinta Trail has a surprising amount to offer those who make the effort to get there. For now we’re going to focus on the wildlife you might encounter as you traverse the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges, in the very centre of Australia.

Written for AUSWALK WALKING HOLIDAYS

Spencer’s Burrowing Frog Limnodynastes spenceri

You’d be unlucky to run into a downpour walking the Larapinta, on the other hand, you might get to see, and hear, an Army of Spencer’s Burrowing Frogs. These short, round, well camouflaged amphibians survive in the desert by burrowing under the ground for months on end. They go into temporary hibernation, shed their skin and only appear again when a downpour arrives. Then they'll emerge, make an awful lot of noise and then mate, leaving their spawn in puddles with the tadpoles taking only 60 days to develop into frogs.

Did you know?

Frogs eat with their eyes! They swallow their food whole, and then hold it in their mouths while their eyes push down, crushing the food to help them digest it.

Black-flanked Rock Wallaby Petrogale lateralis

And speaking of eyes, you’ll have to keep them peeled if you want to spot a Black-flanked rock wallaby. Standing only 50cm tall these little marsupials spend all of their time hiding under rocky outcrops – as you would, no doubt, if you lived in the MacDonnell Ranges. They have textured pads on their feet, kind of like running shoes to help them hop around on the rocks, and although they’ll bake in the sun occasionally, they generally come out at dusk to graze. They’re difficult to spot because they’re diminutive and shy, but also, because there are not  that many left. Currently listed as Vulnerable, and Near Threatened, they’re at risk because of foxes, feral cats and habitat destruction, and they’re a WWF Australia priority animal. There’s a community of them at Simpson Gap, however, so that’s your best chance to see one. Good luck!

Dingo Canis lupus dingo

Although research suggest Dingo’s may have been in Australia for up to 18,000 years, the earliest fossil records date from 3,500 years ago, and it’s generally accepted they’ve been here for at least 4,000 years. Regardless, they’ve been here long enough to be considered native, and have made their way into the spiritual and cultural heritage of many Aboriginal communities. They’re thought to have arrived on Australia’s northern shores, brought here by seafarers from Sulawesi, however can be found all over the continent now. Although their population is around the 200,000 mark, the Dingo is listed as Vulnerable due to interbreeding between Dingos and domestic dogs, potentially leading to the dilution of the race, and extinction of the sub-species.

Public opinion on Dingoes is wide and varied. They’re protected in some states, seen as pests in others – yet, as Australia’s largest carnivore, they always provide a thrill when you see one in the wild. Dusk and dawn is usually a good time to catch a glimpse, as they’re out hunting wallabies, wombats and any other animals they can find.

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