A 50-metre (164-foot) high pillar of sandstone juts out of the salt bush-covered desert plains of Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve. The Chambers Pillar is at its best at sunrise and sunset when it glows red with the colours of the sinking sun. Don’t forget to bring a camera.
Chambers Pillar was once used as a point of orientation for pioneers travelling to Alice Springs from South Australia because it is so dramatic against the plains of the Simpson Desert. Some of these travellers carved their names into the sandstone as far back as 1870 and this historical graffiti was left for future visitors to read. There are walking tracks through the reserve to the pillar and a viewing platform at its base.
The indigenous Arrernte people have an origin story for Chambers Pillar and Castle Rock, just a short distance away. It is said they are the forms of two lovers who ignored the complex rules governing marriage between skin-groups and were turned out of their community. The lovers transformed into rocks as they rested in the desert. The woman, who turned into Castle Rock, is said to have her back turned in shame to the form of Chambers Pillar. Learn more about the significance of the rock between April and September. Guided tours to the Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve are run by the Northern Territory Parks Rangers during the peak tourist season.
Camp out in the area between Chambers Pillar and Castle Rock and wake up to see the sun lighting up the rocks. Bring comfortable shoes and plenty of water and take the short walking track around Castle Rock.
Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve is about 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Alice Springs. The road is only accessible by four-wheel drive.
