Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve
Overview
This small six hectare Reserve protects rock engravings (petroglyphs) which are a valuable link to the activities of early Arrernte Aboriginal people. Here outcrops of soft sandstone beside a small claypan form natural galleries for petroglyphs featuring a great variety of symbols or motifs. Much of the meaning of the petroglyphs, according to senior Arrernte custodians, is sacred and too dangerous to reveal to people not initiated into Aboriginal law.
How to Get There
The Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve is 39km south of Alice Springs on the unsealed Old South Road. The road is generally suitable for conventional 2WD vehicles, however it can become impassable after rain.
When to Visit
The Reserve is generally accessible all year round.
The cooler months (April to September) are the most pleasant times of the year to visit.
The petroglyphs are best photographed in early morning and late afternoon, when shadow effects make the shallow engravings more obvious. These times of the day also offer the best conditions for walking during the summer months.
What to See and Do
A marked 680m walking track will help you view the best petroglyph sites.
Visitor Facilties
There are limited visitor facilities at this Conservation Reserve. Camping is not permitted here. However, picnic facilities and a pit toilet are available.
Please Remember
- All cultural items and wildlife are protected.
- Pets are not permitted in this reserve.
- Avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day.
Fact Sheet
Recreational Activities
As well as Aboriginal Art appreciation, recreational activities within the Reserve include:
- Bush Walking
- Picnic Tables
Scenic and Cultural Features
It is easy to imagine the small claypan as a natural bowl, trapping and holding scarce rains and making this a favourite site for longer stays by Aboriginal people. For a while after rain, there is ample water, animals and time. Time to patiently peck a record of their important beliefs into the soft sandstone. It is not known exactly how old the petroglyphs are.
Arrente custodians are happy for people to visit the site but they ask that visitors don't climb over the rocks, touch or interfere with the petroglyphs in any way.
Any interference can attract heavy fines. The Aboriginal custodians ask that Arrente women do not enter this site.