National park · Australia
Devils Marbles Conservation ReserveKarlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
Stop for 1.5–2 h off the Stuart Highway: walk the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) loop through the boulders, stay for sunset or sunrise, and sleep at the on-site campground (A$6.60 per adult, 2026 estimate) rather than driving on to Tennant Creek at dusk.Stop for 1.5–2 h off the Stuart Highway: walk the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) loop through the boulders, stay for sunset or sunrise, and sleep at the on-site campground (A$6.60 per adult, 2026 estimate) rather than driving on to Tennant Creek at dusk.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 12
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- Northern Territory ↗Climbing Uluru has been illegal since 2019; fines apply.
- Northern Territory ↗Many Aboriginal communities and some Arnhem Land roads need a permit arranged in advance.
- Northern Territory ↗Carry several litres of water per person on any walk or drive; distances between services are long.
- Barkly Tableland ↗Fill up at every roadhouse; gaps between Tennant Creek, Barkly Homestead and Camooweal run 180–260 km with no fuel.
- Barkly Tableland ↗Oct–Mar daytime highs commonly pass 35 °C; carry at least 5 L of water per person and never leave a broken-down vehicle.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²)
- 18.02 km²; the reserve was handed back to traditional owners in 2008 and leased back to the NT government (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Tennant Creek
Karlu Karlu — the Devils Marbles — is a field of granite boulders in a shallow desert valley 100 km south of Tennant Creek, right beside the Stuart Highway. The reserve is small (18 km²), free to enter, and walkable in an hour or two, but the light at sunrise and sunset is the reason to time your drive around it. The boulders are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent in Warumungu belief, and the reserve is jointly managed by the traditional owners and the Northern Territory government. There is no shop, no fuel and no water beyond the campground tank, so treat it as a stop with a plan, not a place to arrive unprepared.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1961.
Size and age
18 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (18 km²) · national park since 1961
18.02 km²; the reserve was handed back to traditional owners in 2008 and leased back to the NT government (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tennant Creek.
Why go
- Balanced granite boulders that glow red at sunset and pale orange at sunrise, a short walk from the highway.
- A free, accessible stop on the long Alice Springs–Darwin drive, with a campground so you can catch both ends of the day.
- Warumungu, Alyawarre, Kaytetye and Warlpiri country: Karlu Karlu is a registered sacred site, and the reserve is jointly managed.
- Easy walking on marked paths over flat desert ground — no guide, no permit, no booking.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- Jan40 °C (104 °F)+ days; the loop walk is exposed104 °F (40 °C)+ days; the loop walk is exposed
- FebHottest, humid; storms possible
- MarStill hot; early mornings only
- AprCooling; clear skies
- MayMild days, cold nights
- JunDry, comfortable walking; near-freezing nights
- JulPeak season; campground fills
- AugDry and mild; busy at sunset
- SepWarming; still good early and late
- OctHeat returns; watch the forecast
- NovHot; afternoon storms
- DecExtreme heat; walk before 8:00 onlyExtreme heat; walk before 8:00 AM only
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black kites and other raptors over the boulder fieldAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rock-wallabies and euros around the boulders at dawn and duskApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Desert birds and reptiles active after rainMar–Apr, Oct–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Wildflowers and desert shrubs in bloomJul–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Tennant Creek
Drive south on the Stuart Highway (A87); the signed turn-off is about 100 km (62 mi) down.Drive south on the Stuart Highway (A87); the signed turn-off is about 62 mi (100 km) down.
1 h 10 min
Open the page →
From Alice Springs
Drive north on the Stuart Highway; the reserve is about 400 km (249 mi) away.Drive north on the Stuart Highway; the reserve is about 249 mi (400 km) away.
4–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Wauchope
Drive north on the Stuart Highway to the reserve turn-off; the pub serves meals and fuel.
10 min
From Darwin
Long drive south on the Stuart Highway via Tennant Creek; plan an overnight stop.
13–14 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Day-use area and main boulder field | Car park, picnic tables, toilets and the start of the marked walking loop through the biggest boulders. | Open, free, no booking. |
| Karlu Karlu campground | Unpowered sites among the scrub, with a shared water tank and pit toilets. | Fee applies; first come, first served. |
| Western boulder groups | Scattered groups away from the main car park, reached on foot along the marked paths. | Walk only; stay on the paths. |
| Sacred and restricted areas | Sections of the reserve closed for cultural reasons, plus the boulders themselves. | No climbing; signs mark closed ground. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the reserve sits just west of the Stuart Highway, about 100 km south of Tennant Creek.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry | Free | person | No entry fee; the reserve is free to visit (check). |
| Karlu Karlu campground | AUD 6.6 (≈ US$5) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; pay on site, exact rate check with NT Parks. |
| Campground child (5–15) | AUD 3.3 (≈ US$3) | child per night | 2026 estimate; under 5 free (check). |
| Campground family | AUD 15–16 (≈ US$10–11) | family per night | 2026 estimate; two adults and children (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry no permit
Campground no permit
Commercial photography or drone use permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$6.60≈ US$5
- A$3.30≈ US$3
- A$15–16≈ US$10–11
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on NT Parks — Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- No climbing on the boulders
- Karlu Karlu is a registered sacred site; stay on the marked paths and do not stand on the rocks.
- No drones
- Drone use is not allowed in the reserve without approval from NT Parks and the joint management board (check).check
- No camping outside the campground
- Overnight stays are only allowed in the signed campground; no bush camping in the reserve.
- Fires
- Open fires are not permitted; use a gas stove in the campground (check for fire bans).check
- Water and rubbish
- There is no reliable drinking water — carry your own; take all rubbish out with you.
- Pets
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the reserve (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Karlu Karlu campground
Unpowered sites, pit toilets and a shared tank; the only place to sleep in the reserve.
Near the park
Wauchope
A pub with rooms and a small caravan park about 10 km (6.2 mi) north.A pub with rooms and a small caravan park about 6.2 mi (10 km) north.
Near the park
Tennant Creek
Motels, caravan parks and fuel, about 100 km (62 mi) north.Motels, caravan parks and fuel, about 62 mi (100 km) north.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Long remote drive medium
Wildlife on the road at dusk medium
Cold desert nights low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The day-use area, toilets and the first section of the walking loop are reachable on firm, mostly flat ground.
- The full loop crosses uneven rock and sand; wheelchair users may need help beyond the first viewpoints.
- No sealed path connects the campground to the boulder field; the ground is gravel and dirt.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths — the boulders and surrounding ground are culturally sensitive and easily damaged.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins in the reserve.
- Use the campground's shared water sparingly; it is trucked in.
- Do not fly drones or film commercially without permission from the traditional owners and NT Parks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve?
Entry is free — there is no gate and no entry fee. The only charge is the campground: about A$6.60 per adult per night (2026 estimate), paid on site. Check the current rate with NT Parks before you go.
What are the best hikes in Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve?
There is one main marked walk: a flat loop of about 1.5 km through the boulder groups, taking 45 minutes to an hour. It is easy, exposed and unshaded. Most people walk it at sunset or sunrise, then add short wanders to viewpoints near the car park.
When is the best time to visit Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve?
May to August: mild days, dry ground and cold nights, with July and August the busiest. April and September are good shoulder months. December to February is extreme heat — 40 °C and above — and walking is only sensible before 8:00.
Can I camp at Devils Marbles?
Yes, in the Karlu Karlu campground beside the reserve. Sites are unpowered and first come, first served, with pit toilets and a shared water tank. There is no online booking and no reliable drinking water, so arrive with your own supply.
Do I need a permit or a park pass?
No. The reserve is free and open without a permit or booking. National park passes sold elsewhere in Australia do not apply here, and there is nothing to buy in advance.
How far is Devils Marbles from Tennant Creek and Alice Springs?
About 100 km south of Tennant Creek (roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by car) and about 400 km north of Alice Springs (4 to 4.5 hours). The turn-off is signed on the Stuart Highway.
Can I climb on the boulders?
No. Karlu Karlu is a registered sacred site for the traditional owners, and climbing damages the rock. Stay on the marked paths and keep off the boulders themselves.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go