Weather and Climate

While the below table indicates average temperature, rainfall and other weather factors, we recommend visiting the Bureau of Meteorology for up-to-date weather information before your trek.

Temperatures along the Larapinta Trail

Winter is often considered the best time to walk the Larapinta Trail, with low-mid 20C temperatures, clear blue skies, cool breezes – optimal trekking conditions. However, evening temperatures can drop close to 0C, particularly in the valleys, and the frost that covers the ground can create a snow-like appearance. While sleeping in an insulated sleeping bag counters the chill, trekkers need to make sure they are adequately prepared for cold nights with insulated sleeping bags, beanies, gloves and thermal underwear.

Alternatively, Autumn and Spring also provide comfortable trekking conditions, with warm days and cool nights. Temperatures average between 12-27C in Autumn and 13-30C in Spring. Evenings aren’t quite as chilly as they are in winter, so pulling your bed out from your tent to sleep under the stars can be a much more desirable option at this time of year.

Trekking along the Larapinta Trail in Summer is not recommended due to the intense heat, hot winds and high UV exposure. With daily temperatures hovering in the mid 40’s, and surface temperatures sitting 5-8C higher, trekking in Summer presents an increased risk of heat stroke.

Temperature (Celsius)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Maximum	36.3	34.9	32.6	28.1	23	19.9	19.6	22.5	27.1	30.8	33.6	35.3
Minimum	21.2	20.7	17.4	12.5	8.3	5.2	4	6	10.2	14.7	17.8	20.2

Cloud Coverage

The Larapinta Trail is located in the desert region of the West MacDonnell Ranges, and like most desert regions, it's not uncommon for the years average rainfall to occur in a single month- or on some occasions - in a single day. The months with the lower average number of cloudy days is usually August and September, leading into summer. During these months, you can also expect the lower range of morning and evening humidity % , whereas May-July have the highest percentage of humidity during the year.

Temperature (Celsius)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average Daily Sunshine (hours)	10.2	9.8	9.7	9.5	8.5	8.4	9.1	9.9	10	10	10.1	10.1
Average number of clear days	13.1	12.1	16.6	16.7	15.8	17	21	22.5	20.6	17.8	13.3	12.9
Average number of cloudy days	6.5	6.5	5.3	5	7.4	5.6	4.3	3.3	3	4.3	5.3	6.9

Rainfall

 While January is January  is considered the wettest month, the area around the West MacDonnell Ranges is considered dry and arid for most of the year. Between December – March the average rainfall sits between 33-44mms each month. This can flood the rivers and creek lines, which means that trekkers who visit in April and May can expect ‘wet crossings’ of waterholes, creeks and gorges. The water during these earlier months is also slightly warmer than in the winter months of June – August, when water temperatures can be surprisingly chilly.

Rainfall (mm)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average	44.1	43	31.2	17.2	19	13.5	15.3	9	8.7	20.3	28.1	39.1