Is it possible to hitchhike from Redbank Gorge?

Yes. If you're planning your hike across the beautiful Larapinta trail, one of the first logistics to deal with is transportation. The popular choice amongst hikers is to pay for transportation to Redbank gorge, dropping food drops along the way and then walking back to Alice Springs. This can be a little pricey and after walking the trail both ways, I must admit that there is something special about finishing on top of Mt Sonder and watching the sun set on your final day. The problem with walking the opposite direction however is the predicament of getting back to Alice Springs, with sporadic phone reception along the trail, arranging a date of pickup can prove difficult if you fall behind schedule. The best alternative is to hitch hike back to Alice Springs.

The greatest concern with hitching a lift back to Alice is the amount of vehicle traffic at Redbank gorge, every hikers worst nightmare is getting stranded in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately after travelling the region I came to discover that Redbank Gorge is a popular destination for travellers exploring the McDonald ranges, with the Mt Sonder hike being a popular day hike and the Redbank Gorge a popular tourist site, there is enough vehicle traffic around that area to hitch a ride home (in June/July at least). If the gorge is quite, alternative measures can include walking to Red Centre way which receives traffic from travellers returning from Uluru via the Mereenie loop increasing the chances of a ride home.

Hitching in this area is relatively safe due to the large number of tourist traffic that goes through but common sense and precautions should still be followed. Arrangements for food drops can be made from the transport companies however at a fraction of the price if you are not getting a lift with them. Feel free to ask any questions about the hike and good luck!

Boredom whilst waiting for a car can lead to some innovative time-burning techniques. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen as you may not get a lift right away. 

I managed to first get a lift out to the highway before I waited for a lift back to Alice Springs. Good luck!