About Standley Chasm
Standley Chasm, traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, is a narrow sandstone gorge in the West MacDonnell National Park, about 50 km west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Its sheer walls rise 80 metres high and narrow to 3-4 metres apart. The chasm is famous for the midday sunlight illuminating its walls and is privately owned by the Western Arrernte people.
Visitors guide
Visitors walk a 1.2 km (20-minute) sandy and rocky track from the kiosk and car park through woodland to the narrow chasm entrance. Inside, towering red sandstone walls frame a narrow passage that glows intensely when midday sun strikes. The site includes a kiosk/cafe, picnic area and short nature trails. Guided cultural tours explain the landscape, flora and Aboriginal significance.
Key highlights
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80-metre-high sheer sandstone walls narrowing to about 3 metres wide
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Midday sunlight illuminating the chasm walls with intense red-orange colour
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1.2 km walking track through cycads and native woodland to the gorge
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Aboriginal-owned site with Western Arrernte cultural interpretation
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Part of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park and Larapinta Trail section
History of Standley Chasm
The chasm is named after Ida Standley (1865-1948), the first school teacher in Alice Springs, who was among the first Europeans to visit the gorge in the early 20th century. The area lies within the traditional lands of the Western Arrernte people and forms part of the West MacDonnell Ranges formed over 300 million years ago.