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If you are looking for one of the most emblematic places of Australia outback, you will find it here in the Diablo Marbles in the Northern Territory. A must on any road trip along the Stuart highway. We are going to immerse ourselves in this unique landscape with my guide to visit the Diabl’s marbles.
During my wife and the failed attempt in Australia’s lap, we spent some good weeks of travel through the Red Center. We had a good idea of what we wanted to see, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, of course, but there was something else in our list that looked different from anything we had seen before; The Marbles of the Devil.
The devil’s marbles are a unique collection of giant ocher rocks precariously balanced one on top of the other just next to Stuart Highway. If you have planned a trip to the northern territory or may have seen photos of this Australian area, it is most likely to know what I am talking about. Visiting the Diablo’s marbles was one of the most prominent aspects of our trip to Safe Australia, they are impressive, and what is better can camp just below them!
When I say that visiting the devil’s marbles was one of the most prominent aspects of our trip to Australia, what I mean is that it was one of the last things we did in Australia, but you will have to continue reading to find out why!
The Diablo Marbles (Karlu Karlu)
HISTORY
The English colonists discovered the Diablo’s marbles during the expedition of the Telegraph Overland line of 1870 by the explorer John Ross, who said. “This is the country of the devil, it has even emptied its bag of marbles around the place!”
However, this is the traditional country for four aboriginal tribes; The Warumungu, Alyawar, Kaytetye and the people of Warlpiri with their name for this area is Karlu Karlu, which translates as ‘Redonda Boulder’.
The story of Dreamtime tells an ancient ‘fix’ ancestor, the devil’s man, who was walking through the area with a hair belt. While turning the hair to make strings, he dropped groups of hair on the floor that became the big red rocks we see today. Traditionally, Karlu Karlu was a meeting place for the four tribes to undergo ceremonies.
In October 1961, the area was appointed Reserve of Marbles del Diablo, then the Marbles Conservation Reserve of the Devil in September 1979. In October 2008, the reserve was formally returned to traditional property and, since July 2011, it is known as Karlu Karlu / Devil’s Marble Conservation Reserve.
Where are the Diablo’s marbles?
You will literally find the Diablo / Karlu Karlu marbles on the eastern edge of the Stuart epic road; A road that extends for almost 3,000 km from Darwin to Port Augusta in southern Australia. The reserve is located in the territory of the north less than 100 km south of Tennant Creek and about 400 km north of Alice Springs. Essentially in the middle of nowhere! He would take about 1 hour to drive from Tennant Creek OA 4.5 hours from Alice Springs.
While possibly I could visit the devil’s marbles as a one -day excursion, it makes sense to incorporate it into a road trip when it travels south to Alice Springs and Uluru or Norte on the way to Darwin. Nor can the reservation miss, since the massive rocks are visible from the road. There are tours that can book that are designed to show this beautiful Australian area that will include a trip to the Diablo’s marbles if you do not have access to your own vehicle.
What to do in the Diablo Marbles
The best thing you can do in the devil’s marbles is simply wandered by the reserve and observe the natural beauty of rock batteries. Honestly, the rocks will leave you speechless; Constantly questioning how the hell it is possible that these rocks, some reach 6 m in diameter, so precariously balance the laws of gravity. You could walk through the devil’s marbles more than once and keep finding something new to interest you.
Pay attention to the warning signals, please do not rise to the rocks out of respect.
If you stay in the camp, there is nothing like seeing the sunset here; See the sky filter through its enormous variety of colors and reflect them back to the rocks while showing their deep red tones.
Camp in the Diablo Marbles
Given the location of the devil’s marbles, it makes a lot of sense to establish a camp here for the night. When we arrived in mid -afternoon, it was absolutely full of huge motorhomes and long caravans, but we literally squeeze between two to make sure we could spend the night. It is a fully without power site/area with picnic tables and well baths that, to be fair, is all you need. I know it’s hot, but showers are few and distant when they are on the road!
When we visited, we paid $ 3.50 each, that we had to pay in cash and place in an envelope to be collected. However, it seems that you now have to pay online before arriving, so be sure to plan in advance. There are also free Wi-Fi here (which is funny, since you can’t even get a decent Wi-Fi in England). The rates now cost $ 10 per adult, $ 5 per child or $ 25 for a family that includes 2 adults and up to 4 children.
There are 24 points more an area for tents and there is a maximum stay of 24 hours. Be sure to bring all supplies with you, including a lot of drinking water, since there is literally nothing here.
If there is no space here, there is a caravan park in the Marbles Hotel Devil’s Less than 10 km south of the reserve or further north, you will find a free camp in Los Guijarros del Diablo (Wikicamps) although access is through a corrugated road without sealing.
Verify the availability and reserve your stay
Are the Diablo’s marbles cursed?
Woah. OK. Perhaps this is not a question that is asked often, but I am honestly convinced that the devil’s marbles are cursed. I have not been angry, I promise, there is no need for an intervention.
As I mentioned earlier, the Diablo or Karlu Karlu marbles is an extremely sacred place for traditional aboriginal owners. This area was used for ceremonies where four different tribes joined; Dancing and singing spiritual people. It is said that the rocks have such powers that any disturbance for them would have significant consequences for their guardians. There are warnings instead affirms that it should not upload to the rocks or take photos of certain areas due to how sacred this area is.
Now, I’m sorry to say that in the morning we were leaving the devil’s marbles to continue our journey north to Darwin, there was a photographic opportunity that was too good to get lost outside the main site. A particular boulder was in its own balance almost by magic that seemed that a small thrust could tear it down. Both Emma and I stopped next to the rock and took a picture; We do not damage anything, we left everything as we discovered, it was just a photo.
However, within a few hours, our motorhome who had traveled more than 16,000 km and had received service could not take us further. Just on the outskirts of Renner Springs, the engine died a horrible death and, despite the attempts of several mechanics, they could not be revived at all. It’s over.
We trust the goodwill of passers -by (and our breakdown cover) to bring us back to Tennant Creek from where we make Alice Springs self. We had lost about $ 10,000 having to leave the motorhome just taking what belongings we could carry. With the missing money, we finally end up leaving Australia completely in a matter of weeks. We talked to the locals in Tennant Creek, who regularly saw such incidents after people had visited the diablic marbles that, when they gathered, scared me. There were people who had had heart attacks the next day after visiting and others who suffered the same destination as us.
In fact, there are many more strange stories that I have read, including one of 1948 for which Agent Maxwell Gilbert returned to Tennant Creek with an aboriginal tracker. Apparently, the car suddenly overturned, throwing the tracker, but killing the agent who lay next to the destroyed car under one of the devil’s marbles.
I do not say with certainty that the Diablo’s marbles are cursed, I really do not think so at all, but there is something extremely spiritual about the marbles of the devil, so I know respectful!
What do you think? Are not the literally unreal devil marbles? If you are planning a large road through outback, be sure to stop to experience this impressive landscape!
If you have any questions or need more information, let me know in the comments below.
Where is it?
Ok, let’s be honest, it has taken long enough to find the time to publish guides that cover my time in Australia. Now, however, most of them are linked below, so wherever it is directed, you are likely to find what you need below!
Visit the Peak Hill Gold mine in Nueva Wales del Sur
How to spend 24 hours in Canberra
7 bright things to do in Young, New South Wales
5 incredible things to do in Rainbow Beach, Queensland
6 incredible things to do in Bowen, Queensland
8 best things to do in Kiama, Nueva Wales del Sur
An epic road trip along the waterfall in Nueva Wales del Sur
My incredible 5 -day Gold Coast itinerary
7 great things to do in Magnetic Island, Queensland
7 incredible things to do in Townsville, Queensland
The most impressive things to do in Uluru
The most wonderful things to do in Noosa, Queensland
8 wonderful things to do in Jervis Bay, Nueva Gales del Sur
40 incredible photographic places in Melbourne
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A Gold Coast interior guide
9 wonderful things to do in Byron Bay, New South Wales
Where to find cases of wild helmet in Australia
Kangaroos on Cape Hillsborough Beach
Feeding wild dolphins in Tin Can Bay
A trip aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Cairns
A visiting guide for Port Stephens in Nueva Wales del Sur
My guide to explore Mossman Gorge, Queensland
Wallalaman Falls, Queensland: the highest waterfall in Australia
The most impressive waterfalls in Australia
16 incredible things to do in Sydney
A weekend in the blue mountains
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