Standley Chasm – Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation

WERTE The Traditional Western Arrernte Owners welcome you to explore one of Australia’s most striking and significant ‘women’s Dreaming’ sites, now accessible to all, including wheelchairs, deep in the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Local community guides/artists can engage you in our ancient culture while modern catering/camping/WIFI and retail gifts are available all year.

Only 40 minutes’ drive out of Alice Springs, in the West Macdonnell Ranges National Park, Standley Chasm Angkerle Atwatye is a vertical shaft rising 80 metres high. At noon, the overhead sun filters down into the cleft and highlights its glorious colours creating a truly spectacular sight. In traditional Arrernte culture, this area was very important for the region as a special “womans’ gathering place”. To have an authentic interpretation, local Aboriginal guides can be booked or enjoy the self-guided tour on a leisurely 1.2km (20mins return) walk.

This lush “desert valley” environment has various microecosystems that are protected in this nature reserve and maintain the unique link that this ancient culture has with its land, flora and fauna. The abundance of local flora also allows visitors to appreciate the local “Bush Tucker”.

The shady scenic walk into the Chasm is a convenient base for shorter/day walks along the Larapinta Trail. Various camping, RV and powered sites are available. The KioskCafe, operated by the community, prepares fresh lunches/barista coffees and coach catering from 8am to 5pm and the gift shop has local crafts and paintings.

Local artists regularly attend onsite to produce and market their local crafts, always avaliable in the giftshop giving an opportunity for all to enjoy cross cultural interactions.

Experiences

Access Only to Standley Chasm, Self Guided
1.2km walk along the new Grade 1 walking track to Standley Chasm. Optimum viewing time is at noon when the sun is overhead to highlight the red quartzite of the Chasm.

Days Operating: Daily
Season: Year round
Duration: 20 minutes
Min Numbers: 1
Max Numbers: N/A

Angkerle Cultural Experience - Half Day Tour All Inclusive Fees, Guides and Fully Catered
Community guides explain some of the geology, bush medicine, bush tucker and cultural history of the Chasm area. Aboriginal art will be explained over morning tea and scones followed by a painting work shop and buffet lunch. Includes art materials and lunch.

Days Operating: Thurs (by appointment)
Season: Year round
Duration: 4.5 hours
Min Numbers: 4
Max Numbers: 65

Overnight Camping Inclues Access to Standley Chasm
Hot showers, gas BBQ, laundry, storage facilities. Various campsites – sandy/ shady/ grassy. For single/ groups, tents, trailers, RV and caravans, un/powered.

Days Operating: Gates open 8am to 5pm, otherwise by arrangement
Season: Year round (June, July, Aug prior booking advised)
Duration: Setup anytime of day to enjoy Sunset. NOTE: discount for extra nights
Min Numbers: 1
Max Numbers: N/A

Getting there

Scenic 30min drive (excellent bitumen) straight along Larapinta Drive, west of Alice, turnoff signed at 41kms, then 9kms into ranges, arrive in large carpark. Or a range of tours incorporate Standley Chasm in day/half day tours of the West MacDonnell Ranges.