Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve
| Location | |
|---|---|
|
NT Portion 843. About 162 km south of Alice Springs via Maryvale Station. |
|
| Gazettal Date | |
| 5 October 1994. Northern Territory Government Gazette No. G40. |
|
| Description | |
| The Reserve consists of 340.1hectares. Chambers Pillar is a 50m tower of sandstone situated in open dune country. Sandstone beds were laid down in the region 350 million years ago and since that time the softer material has been eroded away by wind and rain so that now all that remains is the column of pebbly sandstone. | |
| Statement of Heritage Value | |
| The Reserve embraces a diversity of features which combine to establish its heritage signficance.
Three prominent features known as Chambers Pillar (Itirkawara), Castle Rock (Yayurara) and
Window Rock (Umiarri), each a remnant mesa made of Devonian-Carboniferous sandstone
occupy the site. The Pillar and its spectacular column shape has become a national landmark
since it was first encoutered by John McDouall Stuart's Exploration Party in 1860. To the Southern Arrente Aboriginal community, the features are highly valued as an integral part of their culture through the story of Itirkawara whose illegal amorous affairs eventually turned him and his companion into stone. It acts to them as a permanent reminder of the need to observe moral laws. Numerous inscriptions record the initials of people who have passed by. Many have since been recognised as having made a significant contribution to the history of the Territory whereas others represent the diversity of profession or occupation existing and required during the formative years of Territory development. Located in an area of relative isolation, the features with the Reserve have a total aesthetic appeal with strong spiritual and historic assocation. |
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| Further Reading | |
| See Also Chambers Pillar Information Sheet | |
