Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
Overview
The Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve is known as Karlu Karlu in all four local Aboriginal languages. This remarkable site is a sacred place to Aboriginal traditional owners.
An enigmatic place of breathtaking scenic beauty, the precarious piles of huge granite boulders wide open skies and golden sunlight make Karlu Karlu an unforgettable place to visit.
Traditional Owners maintain their responsibilities for the site, an unbroken tradition that has continued since creation time. In a historic ceremony held here on the 27th October 2008 ownership of the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve was officially given back to the site’s Traditional Owners. The Reserve will now be leased back the Territory Government under a 99 year lease agreement. Public access to the Marbles will continue to be provided as before. A new and exciting era of Joint Management of this Reserve has begun with Traditional Owners and Park Rangers now working together in partnership to manage the Reserve for the future. Further information about the Joint Management.
How to Get There
This 1,802 hectare Reserve extends along both sides of the Stuart Highway approximately 393 km north of Alice Springs. The nearest settlement is Wauchope, 9km to the south, where fuel and limited stores can be obtained.
When to Visit
Access is available all year round.
What to See and Do
An easy short (15 minutes return) self guided walk commences from the carpark on the western side of the road (the day use area) with signs explaining the formation of the 'marbles'. Visitors can wander around the site along a network of informal walking tracks.
Visitor Facilties
A simple bush camping area with fire places and pit toilets is located at the southern end of the Reserve. No water or firewood is provided, and campers should come well equipped.
Please Remember
- All cultural items and wildlife are protected.
- Pets are permitted on a leash in the carpark only.
- Take care with fire, and light fires only in the fireplaces provided. Collect firewood before arriving at your picnic or campsite.
- Generators are not permitted in this park.
Fact sheet
Recreational Activities
Recreational activities within the Reserve include:
- Camping Permitted
- Caravans Permitted
- Picnic Tables
- Walking Tracks
Plants and Animals
Plants and animals found in the Reserve are those generally encountered in the arid centre of Australia. The large clumps of rocks, however, create a variety of miniature refuges and cooler, more sheltered environments.
Attached to the underside of overhanging boulders, clusters of the bottle-shaped mud nests of Fairy Martins (Petrochelidon ariel) may be found. Occasionally the small Spiny-tailed Goanna is seen in the crevices, while the larger Sand Goanna is more oftern found among the thick clumps of Spinifex (Triodia spp.) growing in the spaces between the boulders. Flocks of finches including Zebra and Painted Finches are often found in the Reserve.
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Ranger Guided Activities
Territory Parks Alive Program
Keep an eye out for the new program to be released in May 2010.
