In Australia there is a unique nature reserve with the unusual name “Devil’s Balls” (on the map). Huge granite stones, which impress with their gigantic size and unusual shapes, are randomly “scattered” on the wide plain. The diameter of some of them reaches 6 meters. The simple and laconic landscape is constantly changing. It looks especially stunning at dawn and sunset. As the lighting changes, the boulders begin to “glow” and their color changes from soft pink to purplish red.
According to the scientific hypothesis, the age of these stones is several million years. From the cooling magma that came to the surface of the earth, granite gradually formed, and on top of it was soft sandstone, which over time was exposed to erosion and settled, and granite, on the contrary, came to the surface. The main reason for the splitting of stones was sudden temperature changes, which forced the rock to repeatedly compress and expand.
Australian Aborigines call these lands “Karlu-Karlu”, which literally translates as “round boulders”. They consider this place sacred and believe that the devil himself once visited here. According to legend, it was during a walk through this valley that the devil wove his headband, which is worn by all men who have undergone the initiation rite. True, during this action he dropped several of his hairs, which fell to the ground and turned into red stones. However, as the indigenous people themselves say, this “fairy tale” about the origin of granite balls was invented specifically for outsiders. The truth is kept secret and only the true owners of these lands can know it.
The aborigines of the Kaiteti tribe have their own version explaining the origin of the boulders. They believe that the stones are the eggs of the rainbow snake, the ancestor of humanity and all living things.
Despite the differing hypotheses for the origin of the giant boulders, all Aboriginal tribes revere this place and consider it sacred. Any attack on him is considered sacrilege. In the mid-20th century, authorities in the nearby town of Alice Spring removed one of the boulders and installed it as part of a memorial in honor of John Flint. Since the officials did not notify the tribal elders of their actions, a scandal broke out, and already in the 90s of the 20th century they had to return the stone to its place. After this incident, the reserve remains inviolable.
Currently, the aborigines are the legal owners of the reserve. They received this right in 2008 and at the same time leased the land to the Australian Parks Service for a period of 99 years. Now the park is managed by two parties at once: the government and the indigenous people.
The Devil’s Balls Nature Reserve is under special state protection. Tourists are not brought here, so you will have to make the trip on your own. However, every year from May to October, interesting “live” programs are organized here, which include an introduction to the park, as well as the history, culture, traditions and life of the indigenous Australian Aborigines. Many people come here overnight and stay in a fairly comfortable campsite to take a break from the bustle of the city. These places are also loved by photographers who are willing to wait for hours to take unique pictures. The reserve is located 115 kilometers from the city of Tennat Creek. There is a small regional airport here. There are no direct flights to this city from Russia, so the easiest way to get to the reserve is with a transfer in the city of Darwin.
