On The Road With Wal & Sue: Standley Chasm and Hermannsburg

Wednesday, June 25:

We planned today to be a quiet one where we would try and catch up on things such as our photos so set aside time to visit Standley Chasm which was just down the road.

It cost $8 each for pensioners and was a bit of a rough walk but it was worth it for the photos we got. We made sure we arrived at lunch time to get the sun right overhead – so did a dozen or so other people!

Part of the 80m high Standley Chasm, West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs.

Rocks and trees along the creek which flows through Standley Chasm.

After having our picnic lunch on a tiny bit of grass we headed off but as it was early decided to turn west and go to Hermannsburg which we had penciled in for tomorrow.

Hermannsburg

It was about 80kms and we arrived about 2.30. This is a must visit place. It was a mission established by the Lutheran Church in Hermannsburg, Germany in 1877 and is 130kms west of Alice Springs.

From first settlement, the Lutherans worked with the Aborigines and established an amazing settlement which today comprises a church, blacksmith shop, various living quarters, maid quarters, school house, meat house , tannery and shearing sheds.

The thick walls, wide verandahs and shady trees showed they were trying to create a real life in the middle of no where.

We spent an hour or more visiting and if interested they want volunteers to help and offer free camping in return.

In 1982, the former mission lease of 390,000ha was restored to the traditional Aranda owners and today is divided between four traditional families as land trusts.

The town of Hermannsburg has the main facilities for a small community – pertrol station, supermarket, school, hall etc. There isn’t much work around so they people probably commute to Alice for work.

We left by 4pm and got home just before dark to miss any roos or other critters wandering the roads.