Traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning Gap of Water, Standley Chasm is just three metres wide and a towering 80 metres high, located in the West MacDonnell Ranges, about 40 minutes' drive west of Alice Springs.

The striking geological formation has significant botanical, birdwatching and wildlife photography appeal. A natural spring nearby sustains an unlikely abundance of life to the arid-climatic area where ancient cycads palms can live to be one thousand years old.

Angkerle Atwatye was once a narrow tributary of the Finke River System and is one of the Red Centre's most stunning natural gorges. A place of deep cultural significance for the local Arrernte people, Angkerle Atwatye is a sacred place for women's dreaming and a place where women went to give birth.

Today, the important cultural site provides a backdrop for authentic cross-cultural presentations, bush tucker tours, art workshops and tours.

Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye is owned and operated by the Western Arrernte people and one of the first-ever registered Aboriginal businesses in Australia.

With a key aim to preserve Arrernte culture, Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye offers self- guided and guided tours, where guests can learn about the iconic gorge, its cultural significance, bush medicine, flora, fauna, geology and the culture of the Arrernte people, which lives on today.

The business also runs painting workshops hosted by Arrernte Elders, a campground for those visiting the Larapinta Trail, a kiosk café and gift shop.

General manager Nova Pomare, a proud Arrernte woman born and raised in Alice Springs, recalled the traditions of her family.

"As a little girl, I was always at the Chasm with my grandmother and visiting my auntie and uncle who ran the business back in the seventies. Standley Chasm was one of my first jobs as a teenager, so growing up, I always knew how important the business was to my family," Ms Pomare said.

"Now, it's come full circle. Fulfilling a caretaker role like this for our Country is a dream come true."

For the past five years under Ms Pomare's management, Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye's operations have flourished. Between 2018 and 2023, tours have increased from 30 to nearly 300 annually, six Aboriginal guides are now employed, and the team has grown from 12 to 23 members.

"It's also an avenue for Aboriginal employment and we're proud to support our local mob," Ms Pomare said.

"Through our tours, we can share our culture and knowledge with visitors in a positive way."

Whether it's tourist season or not, Caring for Country is part of daily life for the team; it's informed the Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye five-year Environmental Management Plan.

During the off-season, the team cleans waterways to remove debris caused by floods and uses traditional burning techniques to prevent devasting wildfires and encourage the rejuvenation of local flora. They also work towards rehabilitating disturbed areas of the land, including enlisting a naturalist to identify weeds to be removed and ensuring the propagation of local plant species.

Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye is powered by an off-the-grid generator with plans to be 100 per cent solar powered later this year.

Water is sourced from natural springs and usage is managed and adapted to align with climate change and other environmental factors to keep it sustainable.

The septic tanks have been upgraded to treat wastewater and recycled for non-potable uses including toilet flushing, laundry, and landscape irrigation.

Other waterwise measures include automatic taps and filters to reduce water usage, and the use of biodegradable plates for large groups to negate dishwashing.

"We love being on Country and doing what we do. We want to keep Standley Chasm natural and beautiful. We want to it be there for generations to come, for our people to relish, and for travellers in Australia and around the world to visit," Ms Pomare said.