Travellers explore Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia.
Standley Chasm, also known as Angkerle Atwatye, is a narrow sandstone gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory – about 40 minutes west of Alice Springs. The chasm is reached by a short walk along the Angkerle Creek bed, with red rock walls rising to around 80m. The confined gorge, vertical rock surfaces, river-gum vegetation and changing sunlight provide opportunities for close landscape, geological, and scale photography.
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Gallery
Quick Facts
Access
Short Walk
15–45 min
Elevation Gain
5 m
Best Light
Midday sun can illuminate sections of the red walls, while the narrow gorge retains deep shadow – creating strong variations in exposure and colour.
Why This Light
Season
Year-Round Stable
Summer brings intense heat, stronger colour in the sandstone and deeper contrast between the sunlit upper walls and shaded chasm. Winter brings cooler conditions, drier vegetation and lower-angle light across the surrounding rock, while the narrow gorge remains predominantly shaded.
Crowds
Busy Midday
Restrictions
Standley Chasm is privately owned and operated by the local Arrernte community. It is reached from Larapinta Drive via a sealed road, with parking at the visitor facility, followed by a short return walk along the natural creek bed. An entrance fee applies, including for walkers using the relevant Larapinta Trail sections. Visitors should respect the cultural significance of the site and avoid damaging or marking the landscape.