Devil Marbles

Karlu Karlu

A striking natural wonder of massive granite boulders stacked in an almost surreal formation in the remote outback between Alice Springs and Darwin. It's a unique geological oddity and sacred Aboriginal site offering short walks and excellent camping under clear starry skies.

Things to do

• Castle Rock Walk — A short 2km loop trail weaving between massive boulders with interpretive signs explaining the granite formations and Aboriginal significance.
• Sunset Photography — Position yourself among the rocks during golden hour to capture the boulders glowing against the outback sky, a photographer's favourite spot.
• Stargazing — The remote location with minimal light pollution offers exceptional views of the southern night sky, best experienced from the camping area after dark.
• Bush Camping — Stay overnight at the basic campground nestled among the boulders to experience the outback landscape fully and enjoy sunrise views.
• Karlu Karlu Guided Tour — Book an Aboriginal-led tour to learn the Dreaming stories and spiritual significance of the site from traditional owners.
• Boulder Scrambling — Navigate carefully between and over the stacked granite boulders on unmarked routes for a more adventurous exploration.

Food to try

• Damper Bread — Traditional bush bread cooked over campfire coals, often available at the visitor centre or buyable from nearby roadhouses.
• Bush Tucker Picnic — Pack locally-sourced provisions from Alice Springs or Tennant Creek including native Australian produce and outback-style meat pies.
• Camp-Cooked Swag Meals — Prepare hearty campfire dinners at the on-site camping ground using fresh supplies brought from nearby towns.
• Barramundi from Local Suppliers — Fresh tropical fish available from roadhouses en route, ideal for cooking over camp fires at the site.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Sacred Sites — Devil Marbles is significant to the Warumungu, Kaytetye, and Alyawarre Aboriginal people—stay on marked trails and follow all signage regarding restricted areas.
• Check Road Conditions — The site is 393km south of Darwin; roads can be rough and services are sparse, so fuel up before arriving and inform someone of your travel plans.
• Bring Adequate Water — The outback heat and isolation demand you carry at least 4-5 litres of water per person and bring all supplies, as facilities are minimal.
• Aboriginal Land Acknowledgement — Take time at the visitor centre to understand the Dreaming stories and ongoing cultural connection of traditional owners to the landscape.