Red walls
Glowing at noon.
DaHuzyBru — CC BY-SA 4.0 · DaHuzyBru — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sunil Savur — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Phil Whitehouse from London, United Kingdom — CC BY 2.0 · DaHuzyBru — CC BY-SA 4.0
Standley Chasm is a geological formation west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, about 42 km in a straight line from the town, within the West MacDonnell Ranges. It lies in a private reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust; its original custodians are the Western Arrernte people, who traditionally call it Angkerle Atwatye, «the gap of water». Its first European name was Gall Springs, after the manager of an old cattle station, and the chasm was a major watering place for cattle. It was later renamed after Ida Standley, the first school teacher in Alice Springs, after a visitor impressed by its grandeur suggested drawing attention to it. The chasm is a very narrow passage between two sheer rock walls that rise high above, reached by a short track among boulders, gum trees and cycads beside a seasonal creek. When the sun is directly overhead around midday, the walls glow a fiery red and orange, so visitors usually come at that time. Entry is paid at the gate, where there is a café and small shop. The track to the chasm is short but rocky and uneven, so wear suitable shoes, and respect the site as land of cultural value to its people.
Glowing at noon.
Between the rocks.
Along the track.
West MacDonnell Ranges, west of Alice Springs, Australia
Around midday, for the glow.
Yes, at the gate.