Central Australia - Rainbow Valley and Chambers Pillar
The access track to Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve is around 39 kilometres south of Alice Springs along the Stuart Highway. The track is unsealed and the last section sandy. As with Uluru, sunset at Rainbow Valley puts on a magical show. Included are two from a much earlier trip of Chambers Pillar, included for interest.
NT180 - Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley outcrop mid afternoon.
NT181 - Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley over the clay pan during the day.
NT182 - Rainbow Valley
Southern end of outcrop at Rainbow Valley
NT183 - Rainbow Valley
Mushroom Rock is so named because of its appearance suggesting a mushroom. Unfortunately part of the original formation has collapsed over the past few years.
NT184 - Rainbow Valley
Evening glow at Rainbow Valley
NT185 - Rainbow Valley
South end Rainbow Valley at sunset
NT186 - Rainbow Valley
A tiny reflection captured in a pool of water at sunset.
NT191 - Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley from the viewing platform (short boardwalk to small platform), perfectly situated at the right angle to take in the best aspects of this phenomenon.
NT187 - Rainbow Valley
Rainbow Valley at sunset taken from the viewing platform
NT192 - Rainbow Valley
Brilliant glow of the low sun on to the water streaked sandstone, for just a few minutes only at sunset.
NT193 - Rainbow Valley
Brilliant glow at sunset on the sandstone escarpment.
NT194 - Rainbow Valley
Brilliant glow of the low sun on to the water streaked sandstone at sunset.
NT195 - Rainbow Valley
Shadows from the trees at the final stages of the sunset glow.
NT188 - Rainbow Valley
Amazing sky along the 22 kilometre access track on return from Rainbow Valley.
Chambers Pillar L1 copy - Copy
NT189 - Chambers Pillar
Erosion created an isolated pillar in the 350 million year old sandstone rising 50 metres from the surrounding terrain in the Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, which is located at the western edge of the Simpson Desert.
Rainbow Valley & Chambers Pillar
Location of Rainbow Valley and Chambers Pillar