Devil’s Balls Reserve

Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve

Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve is a cluster of huge granite boulders scattered across a wide shallow valley, 100 kilometers south of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory,114 kilometers from Tennant Creek.

Video: Devil’s Balls Preserve

History

Granite was formed several million years ago by the solidification of magma, after which wind and water came into play and carved the amazing shape of the stones over thousands of years. These stones vary in size, from 50 centimeters to six meters in diameter. Because of the drastic temperature differences, the boulders expand and contract throughout the day. Sometimes this even causes them to crumble and fall apart. Many giant rocks are precariously balanced one on top of the other, and seem to defy the laws of gravity. Their destruction and erosion continues to this day, creating an ever-changing landscape.

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Local peoples call the Devil’s Balls “Karlu-Karlu”, which translates to “round boulders”. They are of great significance to Aboriginal people. The main part of the reserve is protected by the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Sacred Areas Preservation Act.

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The ancient legends of Karlu Karlu have been passed down through generations of traditional owners of the land.

One of the main Creation Times stories about this region tells how the Devil’s Balls came to be. It tells of Arrange, an ancient ancestor who passed through this land. He made himself a ceremonial headband, worn only by Aboriginal men who had undergone an initiation rite. As he was twisting his hair to make the headband, he dropped strands of hair on the ground, which turned into huge red boulders. Arrange then returned to the place where he was born, Mount Aileparrarntenhe, where legend says he still lives today.

And the Kaitaiti tribe believe that the oval boulders are the eggs of a mystical rainbow snake that was the ancestor of mankind. Other stories of the creation of the world are also associated with them. Although many of the rituals and ceremonies associated with the Devil’s Balls have been lost over time, the site is still very important to Aboriginal people and is one of the oldest religious sites in the entire world.

In 1953, one of the Devil’s Balls was taken to the town of Alice Springs to be used to create a monument to commemorate the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, John Flynn. But a serious controversy soon arose over the issue, as the stone had been taken from a sacred site to the Aboriginal people, and they would not give permission. So in late 1990 the stone was cleaned and returned to its place. And a similar stone was placed on Flynn’s grave, which was donated by the Arrernte tribe.

Tourists

Today the reserve is jointly managed by Aboriginal community representatives and the State Wildlife and Parks Service. Every year it is visited by a huge number of tourists, thanks to the well-developed infrastructure and accessibility: several walking trails, picnic areas and information boards have been installed on the territory of the reserve. From May to October, a variety of performances and events are held here.