The Devils Marbles is a cultural and spirtual signifacne to the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land, and the reserve protects one of the oldest religious sites in the world as well as the natural rock formations found there.
Karlu Karlu is the local Aboriginal term for both the rock features and the surround area. The Aboriginal term translates as round boulders.
The origin of the English name for the same boulders is the following quote:
This is the Devil's country, he's even emptied his bag of marbles around the place! -
John Ross, Australian Overland Telegraph Line expedition, 1870.
Some of the information is from Wikipedia.
At the Reserve there is a Free Camp which means Motor Homes, Caravans can park there for Free.
After driving and seeing 'flat' country the Devils Marbles was something different to look at.
It's amazing how in the middle of desert there are natures boulders.
eroded igneous intrusion can make the neatest natural curiosities. There are a couple of cool examples near where I used to live (El Paso, Texas). City of Rocks, and Hueco Tanks. Cool places to visit.
ReplyDeleteI must look that up..
DeleteSome boulders look rather precarious.
ReplyDeleteSome of them are balanced just....it's amazing how they just stay there.
DeleteQuite unique formations.
ReplyDeleteObviously earth tremors are not prevelent in this region.
I suppose the sacred site is well patrolled by aboriginal rangers/police
to maintain the spirituality of the site for the aboriginal custodians.
Cheers
Colin
A Ranger must come around at some stage, or someone does to empty the rubbish bins.
DeleteOh I really like those rocks M it is fascinating how they ended up that way. Hug G xo
ReplyDeleteThere is just a heap there in that one spot, then flat ground/earth for as far as the eye can see..Hugs M xox
DeleteI like the look of these I had not heard of these rocks before
ReplyDeleteOh, you hadn't...thought your parents may have told you when they travelled...but maybe they didn't go that way...
DeleteThat'd be a hefty game of marbles, herculean, even!! Fabulous photos, Janice. :)
ReplyDelete:) bit big to roll...and thank you..
DeleteThey do look amazing. And Lee is right about the photos...
ReplyDeleteThank you...i try to do my best..
DeleteAn amazing feature.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are Diane in the middle of no where..
DeleteThose rocks are huge, and what a great observation and name for them.
ReplyDeleteThey are rather big, some there are much larger.
DeleteThese rocks have great visual appeal.
ReplyDeleteIt is curious contrast, of these stones, with the desert .
Kisses
Oh gosh yes, that's why it is unusual to see such rock in that vast area.
DeleteI've always found the name intriguing. The stories that go along with naming natural wonders are sometimes even more interesting than the thing itself.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true.
Delete*snap* I saw the devil's marbles today on a calendar. I was at the newsagent checking out calendars for 2016. Usually I leave it too late and all the good ones are gone :( so this time I got in early, because I'd already missed my bus and had a half hour to to wait.
ReplyDeleteI like the marbles, I've never seen them in person, but they're certainly amazing.
Well I never! Amazing that is. But pleased you have got in early for your calander.
DeleteMargaret, I love visiting your site. Each time is like a mini vacation right at my desk!
ReplyDeleteThank you for those nice words :)
Deleteimpressive rocks worth visiting
ReplyDeleteCertainly was good to see as they the rocks appear out of nowhere.
DeleteThese rocks are lovely, Margaret. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Linda.
DeleteSeems in my absence I have missed many of your posts. Loving having time to go back through them.
ReplyDeleteI remember camping alongside the Devil's Marbles as a teenager whilst doing an outback tour. Great memories.