1 Day Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Art, Story and Country with the Arrernte People of Alice Springs
Culture
Photo Opportunities
Sightseeing
Interactive
You begin in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) at Ayeye Atyenhe Art – the name means “My Story Art” in Arrernte. Local artists share the stories behind their work and show you how to paint your own piece. In the afternoon you travel into Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) to Angkerle Atwatye, where an Aboriginal guide walks you through the chasm’s 80-metre red-rock walls and shares the cultural meaning of the place.
1 Day Aboriginal Cultural Experience HIGHLIGHTS
- Dot painting workshop with Arrernte artists at Ayeye Atyenhe Art, Olive Pink Botanic Garden
- Paint your own artwork to take home
- Hear the stories behind traditional Arrernte art
- Guided cultural walk through Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm) with an Aboriginal guide
- See the chasm’s 80-metre sheer red cliffs up close
- Sit-down café lunch at Standley Chasm
This tour is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. The Standley Chasm walk is about 1.2 km each way on an easy track, and the last section crosses a rocky creek bed.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Alice Springs
- Aboriginal art workshop, including your own artwork to keep
- Entry and guided cultural tour at Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm)
- Sit down Cafe Lunch at Standley Chasm
- NT Parks Pass
- Air-conditioned transport
TOUR ITINERARY
Your driver will collect you from outside your Alice Springs accommodation and take you to Olive Pink Botanic Garden in Alice Springs.
MORNING – Dot painting workshop at Ayeye Atyenhe Art
Meet local Arrernte artists at their studio in Olive Pink Botanic Garden. They will introduce the stories and symbols used in their art, then guide you as you create your own dot painting. Your finished artwork is yours to take home.
MIDDAY – Travel into Tjoritja and lunch
Head west along Larapinta Drive into Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges). Standley Chasm is about 30 minutes from Alice Springs. Enjoy a sit-down lunch at the café at Standley Chasm.
AFTERNOON – Guided cultural walk at Angkerle Atwatye
Angkerle Atwatye means “gap of water” and is an important cultural place for Western Arrernte people. It is owned and run by the local Aboriginal community. Your Aboriginal guide will walk you along the creek bed, through native plants and cycads, to the chasm’s sheer 80-metre walls. Along the way, they will share stories about the land, bush plants and how the area has been cared for over thousands of years.
Return
Travel back to Alice Springs, arriving at your accommodation at around 4pm
PRICING / BOOK NOW
This tour is suitable for children 7 years and up. The child rate applies to children aged 7–15 years. Guests aged 16 and above pay the adult rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 1 Day Aboriginal Cultural Experience is a guided day tour from Alice Springs. It combines a dot painting workshop with Arrernte artists and a cultural walk through Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye) led by an Aboriginal guide. Lunch, entry fees and hotel transfers are included.
What are the departure and return times?
The tour departs Alice Springs at approximately [TBC] am and returns at around [TBC] pm. The tour runs for around 6 hours and 20 minutes.
Which days does the tour run?
The tour runs on Tuesdays and Fridays between April – September
Where can I do an Aboriginal dot painting workshop in Alice Springs?
This tour includes a dot painting workshop at Ayeye Atyenhe Art in Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Alice Springs. The workshop is hosted by local Arrernte artists, and you paint your own artwork to take home.
Do I need any art experience?
No experience is needed. The artists guide you through each step, and the workshop is suitable for adults and children.
What is Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye)?
Standley Chasm, known in Arrernte as Angkerle Atwatye (“gap of water”), is a narrow gorge about 50 km west of Alice Springs, with red-rock walls rising around 80 metres. It is a culturally significant site for Western Arrernte people and is owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community.
How fit do I need to be?
Only a basic level of fitness is needed. The walk into Standley Chasm is around 1.2 km each way on an easy track, and the final section crosses a rocky creek bed, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, children aged 7 and over are welcome at the child rate. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will be responsible for their care.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A sit-down café lunch at Standley Chasm is included. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you book.
How many people are on each tour?
There is a maximum of 12 guests on each tour. Please note this tour also requires a minimum of 5 people to operate. If numbers do no meet minimums on your day of travel we may cancel the tour, and contact you to offer an alternative date or tour option.
What should I bring?
- Proof of booking
- Water bottle (minimum 1 litre)
- Strong, non-slip walking shoes
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Flynet
- Camera
- Comfortable clothing suited to the season
Can I take photos?
Photography is generally welcome. Your guide will let you know if there are any places or moments where photos aren’t appropriate.
Who owns and runs the experience?
The workshop is hosted by Ayeye Atyenhe Art, an Arrernte-owned art business. Standley Chasm is owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust and operated by the Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation. Emu Run Experience, an award-winning Alice Springs tour operator, provides transport and coordinates the day.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL
By booking our tours, you confirm you have read and accepted our conditions of travel, including the terms and conditions and cancellation policy.
Please click here for the conditions of travel and cancellation policy.
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IMPORTANT:PLEASE SELECT CORRECT DEPARTURE ABOVE BEFORE BOOKING
