Standley Chasm
Standley Chasm is located on Larapinta Drive, around 50km outside of Alice Springs.
It is an easy drive from Alice, and the Chasm is well known for the alleyway through the quartzite range. It is also where the Larapinta Trail, sections 3 and 4 depart. If interested in knowing more about this trail, see this site.
We drove up to this location, not really knowing much about it, only that it did have camping option available, as many of the Gorges along Larapinta do not, so it was worth investigating.
This is the only scenic location on the Larapinta Drive that has fees to visit. At time of writing it was $25 for a family of 4.
It is an easy drive from Alice, and the Chasm is well known for the alleyway through the quartzite range. It is also where the Larapinta Trail, sections 3 and 4 depart. If interested in knowing more about this trail, see this site.
We drove up to this location, not really knowing much about it, only that it did have camping option available, as many of the Gorges along Larapinta do not, so it was worth investigating.
This is the only scenic location on the Larapinta Drive that has fees to visit. At time of writing it was $25 for a family of 4.
Campground
When you drive into the Chasm, you come across a large gravel car park surrounded by hills, and with a kiosk available. There was a small grassed area (see below).
I imagined this area was for day visitors and the camping area was in another area. This is not the case. The camping area is also the car park, so there is no privacy from those visiting the Chasm.
Below picture shows the camping area, and the toilet facilities. Fees are payable at the Kiosk.
The area is suitable for caravan and trailers, but I can't imagine tents in the car park!
There is plenty of shade provided by the surrounding hills.
I imagined this area was for day visitors and the camping area was in another area. This is not the case. The camping area is also the car park, so there is no privacy from those visiting the Chasm.
Below picture shows the camping area, and the toilet facilities. Fees are payable at the Kiosk.
The area is suitable for caravan and trailers, but I can't imagine tents in the car park!
There is plenty of shade provided by the surrounding hills.
Standley Chasm camping
Camping area for tents/picnics
This area to the left, shows the grassed area, where tents can go, but also is the main picnic area (with BBQs and tables) for those who might be day tripping to the Chasm.
Camping spot for Larapinta Trail walkers
As mentioned earlier, this is where the Larapinta Trail sections 3 and 4 meet. There is a specific area for those walkers to camp in. (See picture to the left).
The campsite is directly on the trail to the Chasm, so offers no privacy, and as is evident, on a rocky riverbed. There is a man made structure to provide some shelter, and a firepit area.
I hope those walkers have really good mattresses or hammocks to sleep in, because it didn't look like a very comfortable spot!!
The campsite is directly on the trail to the Chasm, so offers no privacy, and as is evident, on a rocky riverbed. There is a man made structure to provide some shelter, and a firepit area.
I hope those walkers have really good mattresses or hammocks to sleep in, because it didn't look like a very comfortable spot!!
Amenities
There are flush toilets and BBQ facilities and picnic tables.
A kiosk is located there as well, which serves a wide variety of food, drinks and souvenirs.
Activities
The main reason to visit here is the Chasm itself, or if you are on the Larapinta Trail. There are a number of walks available in the area, but the most popular one is naturally, to the Chasm. The Chasm is best viewed at midday when the sun shines directly ahead and lights up the narrow walls of the Chasm, but unfortunately we were not there at that particular moment! So we missed that red glow that makes this place special!
The walk to the Chasm from the carpark is 1.2km, and is over dry riverbeds and man made trails - nothing too tricky or taxing on the walk, but not suitable for prams or wheelchairs, as there is some minimal climbing. I did note that some additions like handrails had been added, which I don't think was necessary or added to the walk. I prefer to try and leave these areas as untouched as possible.
Now we MAY have become a bit jaded by some of the other magnificent sights we had seen on our travels in the NT thus far.......but this location, in terms of scenery, didn't have the WOW factor for us. I know some people adore this location, and yes, they wonderful photos of it in all its glory. So this might not be the most popular viewpoint of this location.
We had already seen so many incredibly stunning locations, and ones that we would happily have paid to see (and they were all free), that paying to see this particular Chasm, seemed out of place. Maybe because its privately owned, hence the fees, but I just didn't feel like it was worth the cost.
We are glad that we visited and saw this chasm, and if you are in the area, and have time, go and visit. But I didn't rate it as a "must see". Not sure if I can recommend this as a camping location though.
Standley Chasm
