Heading North – The Devil’s Marbles

The Devil’s Marbles was a welcome break from a long, straight drive, that was pretty much through flat scrub land with masses of termite mounds. There were a few bridges that crossed the railway line that offered a little elevation to allow you to see just how vast this landscape is. Quite incredible. Here’s me pointing the way!

Anyway, we set up camp just in time to head off to ‘The Marbles’ for sunset. And boy, was I surprised! I thought it was only a fairly small collection of boulders, but they were everywhere! Elliot and I estimated they covered an area of about 15-20 football fields. And resting in the most precarious positions. Another magic moment on our trip! Here are some shots…

I like this shot as it shows the dying rays of the sun, and the first two bright stars of the night.

With arriving so late, or at least in time for sunset, that also meant we could get up early the next morning and see them at sunrise – so we did! (By the way, if you haven’t already worked it out, I love rocks!!)

…like eggs split in two.

Reminded me of a big croissant. Well, it was time for breakfast!

About The Devil’s Marbles

Firstly, this site, ‘Karlwekarlwe’ in Aboriginal language, is rich in Dreaming stories and events for the four Aboriginal groups who have connections to this place. They believe that the Rainbow Serpent scattered its eggs around here. It is a sacred site that holds their stories, and also where, traditionally, they hunted and could find fresh water. Most of their stories are kept secret, and only passed onto each other at significant times in their lifespans. But here’s one they opted to share with tourists:

‘Aboriginal people believe that people from the Dreaming live here at Karlwekarlwe in the caves under the rocks.

They’re real people, like us. You can see them. A long time ago, I went with my billycan down to the creek here to get some water. One of these secret people came out and started playing with me. I couldn’t go away.

My mother came and got me, saved me. After that, we never camped at this place again, never. They’re kind, these secret people, but they can make you mad. They can change you into one of them. They can say ‘follow me’ and you can’t go back.

It happened like that with my cousin. He disappeared. The old people made a big ceremony, singing the ground and the rocks to make them let my cousin come back. We’ve lost that song now. We’ve got no song to bring children back’ – Senior Traditional Owner.

And scientist outline the Western point of view of how they formed…