Devil's marbles: The mysterious balance of Australian nature

Visitors to Australia will surely be overwhelmed by the majestic and unique natural scenery. But there is a special place that attracts attention because of its giant stone blocks that seem to defy gravity - The Devils Marbles.

In the harsh Australian outback, where hot desert stretches for thousands of miles and unique creatures thrive, there exists a mesmerizing natural wonder: The Devils Marbles. ). These giant rocks, scattered across the area like nature's playful works of art, seem to defy gravity and stimulate visitors' imaginations. This is one of the most astonishing sights this harsh land has to offer.

The Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Reserve is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia located in the Warumungu locality approximately 105km south of Tennant Creek and 393km north of Alice Springs. The nearest settlement is the small town of Wauchope located 9km south.

Located in the Northern Territory of Australia, in the Warumungu locality, are remarkable giants of granite , some balanced delicately on top of each other, that testify to their fascinating geological history. area. They are definitely not ordinary megaliths. The scene is both majestic and a bit unsettling, as if the giant blocks of rock, some as tall as six meters (20 feet), could collapse at any moment.

Devils Marble has great cultural and spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people of this land and the reserve protects one of the oldest religious sites in the world as well as natural rock formations found see there.

About 1.5 billion years ago, The Devils Marbles were part of a vast mass of granite that later eroded to reveal these impressive shapes. Weathering, including wind and rain, sculpted the soft rock around the harder granite core, leaving behind the giant, smooth spheres we see today.

Many rocks sit precariously on top of each other or on top of larger rocks, while others have been split down the middle by nature. They are scattered across a vast desert valley, mainly concentrated in the western area of ​​The Devils Marbles Reserve , which covers an area of ​​18 square kilometers (7 square miles).

Karlu Karlu is the local Aboriginal term for the rock features and surrounding area. The Aboriginal term translates as "round rocks" and refers to large rocks found mainly in the western part of the reserve.

The Devils Marbles, also known as Karlu Karlu in the language of the Indigenous Guardians, is a site of deep spiritual significance to the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarre and Warlpiri people.

The English name of the rocks comes from a comment made by John Ross, a Scottish-Australian herdsman and explorer, during the Telegraph Line expedition across Australia in 1870. He exclaimed , "This is the Devil's land; he even dumped his bag of marbles all over this place!"

The area was originally named Devil's Marbles Preserve in October 1961. The name was changed to Devil's Marbles Preserve on September 21, 1979 under the Territorial Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act . In 1980, the reserve was listed on the now defunct National Heritage Register. In 1982, almost the entire reserve was registered as a sacred site by the Aboriginal Areas Conservation Authority.

Visitors to Devils Marbles can expect to witness an astonishing sight, especially at dawn or dusk when the rocks glow crimson. This site also offers a simple campsite for those who want to experience the beauty of the marbles overnight. Despite its remote location, about 150,000 people visit every year, attracted by the appeal of these ancient stones.

For the best experience, you should visit during the cooler months of May to August as temperatures can be very high at other times of the year. Morning or evening tours are ideal to capture the beautiful light reflections on the rocks, creating breathtaking photos.

Ownership of the Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles was officially transferred from the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Authority back to the traditional owners at a ceremony held at the reserve in October year 2008.

Devils Marbles is located about 105km south of Tennant Creek and 393km north of Alice Springs, where you can take an early morning hot air balloon tour. The nearest settlement is the small town of Wauchope, located 9 km to the south.

The Devils Marbles tour is a truly unique experience, with the enormous size and unusual shape of the rocks creating a sense of wonder for visitors. The interaction of light and shadow throughout the day paints the landscape with ever-changing colors. When you stand among these ancient giants, you can't help but feel connected to the deep cultural and geological history of this incredible place.