Opera Australia baritone Michael Honeyman loves the Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell Ranges in the Northern Territory. This shot was taken pre-dawn, with Mount Sonder behind to the west.
He said: “As a fan of the outdoors I’ve hiked trails all over Australia, but this place just outside Alice Springs always draws me back. I’ve walked the entire trail three times now and I’m constantly impressed by the ancient feel of the earth.
“After a wet season, giant flocks of finches and wildflowers delight, and there’s surprisingly cool waterholes.
“During my most recent trip in 2020, Alice had had little rain for a couple of seasons and was incredibly dry, but the upside was the incredible colours of the earth during the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. I woke up every day before dawn to savour every one of them. I took a shot of Mount Sonder glowing with a red light that now hangs on my bedroom wall.
“Many sections of the Larapinta are accessible by car so you can walk much of it as day hikes or short multi-day hikes. Spectacular highlights like Mount Sonder, Ormiston Gorge, Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Standley Chasm are popular with day visitors so you can camp, glamp or stay in Alice Springs.
“While the West MacDonnell Ranges is my favourite place, there are so many trails yet to cross off my bucket list. Next summer I’m hoping to attempt a few more trails in Tasmania.”
Mr Honeyman is currently appearing as Amonasro in Opera Australia’s Melbourne production of Aida, which will tour to Sydney and then Brisbane in 2021.
