Why Visit Karlu Karlu?

Step into a landscape of ancient granite boulders at the Northern Territory’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary.

The Warumungu people know this sacred site as Karlu Karlu - the Devils Marbles - where millions of years of weathering have carved these extraordinary granite formations.

Follow the self-guided trails to learn how the landscape came to be, then settle into the bush campground as sunset washes the boulders in colour.

Once night falls, look up. As the Territory’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, this is one of the best places in the outback to watch the stars.

Tennant Creek / The Barkly

Barkly Wider Region Map

Tennant Creek Town Map

FAQs

Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) is 1 hour South of Tennant Creek by car (96km), and 4 hours North from Alice Springs (approx. 400km).

Once there, the best way to see Karlu Karlu is by foot. There are no official walks, so take one or more of the informal self-guided tracks. Remember that the local Aboriginal community ask you to refrain from climbing on the boulders.

Entry into Karlu Karlu requires an NT Parks Visitor Pass. This is a separate pass to the Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta park passes. If you wish to camp at the campground, you must book online and pay a fee to camp. We recommend that you do this before you go, as you won’t be able to pay at the site.

Tourists and travellers to Karlu Karlu are frequently surprised by just how many different rock formations there are. Make sure you have enough time to explore the whole area.

Karlu Karlu is one of the best dark sky locations in Australia and is located in the Barkly Tablelands, 95km south of Tennant Creek. If you’re looking for the best stargazing spots in Australia, you need to add Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve to your bucket-list. The region is perfect for astrophotography and is one of the only Dark Sky Sanctuaries in Australia.

The climate around Karlu Karlu boasts blue skies for most of the year, so you can explore the region at any time, regardless of the season. Be sure to pack plenty of water if visiting in summer. For best light, it is recommended to visit during sunrise or sunset.

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