Starting from Jay Creek Campground, Burt Plain, this walk takes you to the Standley Chasm via the Larapinta Trail (Section 3), exploring the creek bed and gorges of Jay Creek along the way. This is the third section of the 223km long Larapinta Trail. You’ll have two ways to do this: the challenging high route offering you 360-degree views, or the lower route which follows the creek bed via a relatively undulating track. The aforementioned Chewings Range is truly scenic and will make you feel like you’re on a movie set. On the other end, the said creek bed features demanding narrow gorges as well as sandy beach-like smooth parts. Additionally, you can see mica flakes gleaming on the ground as they reflect the sunlight at different angles. The Millers Flat Campsite is quite basic and doesn’t have water or a toilet, but there are wooden tent pads. Keep in mind that you’ll need a 4WD vehicle to access the Jay Creek trailhead. Let us begin by acknowledging the Arrernte people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the shelter in Jay Creek Campground, head east and cross the creek bed along the dirt path. Shortly after the crossing, turn right and head south along the dirt track keeping the creek bed to your right. Stay on the said track as it finds its way to the creek bed and starts following it to continue along Larapinta Trail, S3: Jay Creek to Standley Chasm.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Larapinta Trail Section 2 & Larapinta Trail Section 3 Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 3 (a walking track).
There is a toilet (about 140 m back from the start).
Jay Creek (about 130 m back from the start).
There is water tap (about 125 m back from the start).
Find the sign at the start.
After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
After another 450 m cross the ford.
After another 480 m cross the ford.
After another 2.2 km cross the ford.
After another 315 m cross the ford.
After another 1 km pass the "Tangentyere Junction".
The starting point of an alternate route. This alternate high "Ridge Route" is more scenic and offers panoramic 360-degree views over the land, yet is much more challenging due to the steepness of the track. To take the alternate route veer right here. Details below.
Tangentyere Junction continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
After another 210 m cross the ford.
After another 60 m cross the ford.
After another 10 m cross the ford.
After another 145 m cross the ford.
After another 135 m cross the ford.
After another 1 km cross the ford.
After another 135 m cross the ford.
After another 230 m cross the ford.
After another 1 km cross the ford.
After another 150 m cross the ford.
After another 125 m cross the ford.
After another 160 m cross the ford.
After another 130 m cross the ford.
After another 275 m cross the ford.
After another 190 m cross the ford.
After another 60 m come to the "Millers Flat" (15 m on your left).
After another 15 m pass the "Millers Flat".
The alternate route finishes here. Turn right to rejoin the main route at the 8.6 km waypoint. Details below.
Millers Flat continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
After another 115 m cross the ford.
After another 250 m cross the ford.
After another 510 m cross the ford.
After another 55 m cross the ford.
After another 85 m cross the ford.
After another 105 m cross the ford.
After another 35 m cross the ford.
After another 40 m cross the ford.
After another 370 m cross the ford.
After another 80 m cross the ford.
After another 70 m come to the waterfall.
After another 15 m cross the ford.
After another 165 m cross the ford.
After another 130 m cross the ford.
After another 65 m pass the waterfall (on your left).
After another 350 m cross the ford.
After another 370 m come to the "Gastrolobium Saddle" (8 m on your left).
After another 790 m pass the "Angkale Junction".
After another 30 m cross the ford.
After another 470 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
After another 7 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you into Standley Chasm aka ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, which means ‘Gap of Water’. The 3-metre wide chasm is home to multiple bird species, wallabies and lizards. Please buy a ticket from the kiosk and respect the Arrente people, which are the traditional owners of the land. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 325 m turn right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
After another 325 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 105 m find a seat.
After another 105 m pass the "Standley Chasm" (15 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the toilet (75 m on your left).
Continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3.
Then come to the "Standley Chasm" (75 m on your left).
About 35 m past the end is "Larapinta Trail Information".
The end.
This alternate high "Ridge Route" is more scenic and offers panoramic 360-degree views over the land, yet is much more challenging due to the steepness of the track.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Tangentyere Junction Start heading along Larapinta Trail Section 3 Alternative High Route (a walking track).
After 1.6 km pass the "Pravda Spur".
After another 1.2 km pass the summit (on your left).
After another 1.1 km veer right, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3 Alternative High Route.
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3 Alternative High Route.
After another 570 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3 Alternative High Route.
After another 190 m cross the ford.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 70 m cross the ford.
After another 65 m cross the ford.
After another 145 m come to "Millers Flat".
About 25 m past the end is "Millers Flat".
Continue another 0 m to find Millers Flat at the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.
This optional side trip takes you into Standley Chasm aka ‘Angkerle Atwatye’, which means ‘Gap of Water’. The 3-metre wide chasm is home to multiple bird species, wallabies and lizards. Please buy a ticket from the kiosk and respect the Arrente people, which are the traditional owners of the land.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 300 m cross the ford.
After another 45 m cross the ford.
After another 45 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 390 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Larapinta Trail, S3: Jay Creek to Standley Chasm
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
13.6 km
Time
5 h to 2 days
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Some facilities on route
Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.4 km apart with the largest gap of 8.6 km.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 13.6 km.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.5 km apart with the largest gap of 13.4 km.
Bushwalk
5 h to 2 days
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Larapinta Trail Section 3 Alternative High Route.
Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.4 km apart with the largest gap of 8.6 km.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 13.6 km.
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.5 km apart with the largest gap of 13.4 km.
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There is water tap (about 125 m back from the start).
Find the sign at the start.
After another 450 m cross the ford.
After another 70 m come to the waterfall.
After another 370 m come to the "Gastrolobium Saddle" (8 m on your left).
After another 105 m pass the "Standley Chasm" (15 m on your left).
After another 30 m come to "Standley Chasm Kiosk".
After another 1.2 km pass the summit (on your left).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 390 m to the main route.
