What is Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)?
Karlu Karlu, also known as the Devils Marbles, is a collection of huge granite boulders in the Northern Territory, about 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek. Many boulders are rounded and balanced on top of each other.
The boulders formed from a mass of granite that cooled underground millions of years ago. Over time, weathering and erosion broke the granite into blocks and rounded their edges, leaving some precariously balanced.
The site is protected in Karlu Karlu-Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, which is owned by the Traditional Owners and jointly managed with the Northern Territory government.
A sacred site
Karlu Karlu is a sacred site for several Aboriginal groups, including the Kaytetye, Warumungu, Warlpiri and Alyawarr peoples. Stories about the area are important parts of their culture.
The Stuart Highway passes right by the boulders, making them a popular stop for travelers. There is a campground, and sunrise and sunset are popular times to photograph the rocks glowing red.
Visitors are asked not to climb on the boulders out of respect for their cultural significance. Interpretive signs explain the geology and stories of the area, and short walking tracks wind between the rocks.