Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) in Australia 2024
Bizarre boulders mark an ancient aboriginal meeting point in the Barkly Tablelands
Best time: all year round (best May–August)
Giant round granite boulders puzzle hikers in the Warumungu area of Australia's Northern Territory. Boulders are scattered across the valley as if dropped by aliens from the skies. Some of the natural rock formations are balanced on one another, defying gravity. Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, or Karlu Karlu, is located about 65 mi(105 km) south of Tennant Creek, The area is part of the rolling plain known as Barkly Tablelands.
The best time to visit the Devils Marbles is during the cooler season, from May to August. During the Australian summer, the average temperature during the day in this area reaches 99°F (37°C), with December being the hottest month.
The origin of Devils Marbles can be explained by the historical significance of this place, which used to be one of the oldest religious sites for Aboriginal people. In the Aboriginal language, it's called Karlu Karlu, which means round boulders. The boulders were formed millions of years ago and owe their shape to erosion. They were first described in 1870 during the Australian Overland Telegraph Line expedition by John Ross, who said: "This is the Devil’s country; he’s even emptied his bag of marbles around the place!"
