Tennant Creek to Wycliffe Well

Not a huge drive today, we were initially going to drive straight through to Alice Springs, but decided to break up the drive with a stop at Wycliffe Well.

First stop though was The Devils Marbles. These are huge granite rocks, some more than six metres across, which are perched one on another, defying gravity.

The Devils Marbles, NT

There are numerous stories of how The Devils Marbles started out. We are told that millions of years ago, a surge of molten rock reached the surface, spread out and settled into a solid layer.

That one block of granite then developed horizontal and vertical cracks and split into many rectangular blocks. The following millions of years wore away the edges. Some parts still hint at the original rectangular shapes, some blocks have their corners worn of, and some have been totally rounded.

The Devils Marbles, NT

In the Aboriginal mythology the Devils Marbles are the eggs of the rainbow serpent, and many "dreamtime" stories and traditions of the Warumungu, Kaytetye and Alyawarre Aboriginal people are linked with this area. It has a deep spiritual meaning for both men and women (Aboriginal cultural sites are often specifically for either men or women.)

The traditional Aboriginal owners of the area regard the marbles as having extraordinary powers. Damage to them can have life threatening consequences for their custodians.

The Devils Marbles, NT

Such an amazing place, it's hard to describe just how big these rocks are and how many of them there are .... And how they balance on top of each without falling is unbelievable!

There is a feeling around this area too, not sure how to explain it, but you felt a little venerable being there amongst these huge natural structures. Truely amazing place.

Our accommodation for tonight is at the Wycliffe Well Holiday Park - UFO Capital of Australia.  Coincidentally, the bar here also stocks the largest range of beer in Australia!!

Wycliffe Well was established in the 1860s as the main watering hole for the stock route, and later the telegraph line.  It was the Territory's first place to be given rights to sell water. 


During WW2, a two-hectare vegetable farm provided for troops who were stationed further up the Stuart Highway.

There are those who believe Wycliffe Well is on a cross-section of ley or energy lines, so that any UFOs which happen to be in the area will pass through. Wycliffe Well is ranked fifth in the world for reported UFO sightings. Hundreds of UFO sightings have occurred here since WWII.


In 1960 a petrol pump was installed to supply fuel to travellers. Since then Wycliffe Well has become a tourist stop over point.

The caravan park - the last picture shows one of the rooms we stayed in.

Quite a strange park, but it was clean and that's all you really need! Spent a bit of time with the owner as well, ended up having a great stay!

A few resident animals in the park kept us entertained for a while. "Scratchy" the galah was very cute, constantly putting his head down for a scratch.

The donkeys were friendly and liked their pats too - George was amazed as he had never seen a donkey make its "e-or" noise before!

The emus were very cute - mum, dad and the three little babies (plus the angry one on the outside of the fenced area - some strange love-triangle rivalry had to keep them separated!!).

But the cutest by far would have to be this little one. Her mummy was killed by a car and she is now being hand raised by the owner of the caravan park. Bottle feeds every 3 hours!

One of the highlights of the trip so far to be able to hold and play with this little bundle of cuteness.

Elvis even made an appearance, just for you Kylie!

What a perfect way to end off a day with a sunset like this. Considering it was raining and overcast a couple of hours ago, we were happy to even see this sunset.