We Visit Kunjarra (The Pebbles) Tennant Creek

We visited Kunjarra/The Pebbles just north of Tennant Creek and were awed by their beauty and presence. Personally I found it to be a magical place great importance to me.

Not as visually large or impressive as Karlu Karlu (The Devils Marbles) to the south of Tennant Creek they make up for it with what they are and what they mean to the regions first people the Warumungu.

Kunjarra The Pebbles Tennant Creek

I found them to be visually quite stunning set amongst the red dirt country with a very bright blue sky as a backdrop. What I wasn’t prepared for was how they made me feel that time had stood still and I was there a thousand years ago waiting for a ceremony to begin. I don’t claim to be of aboriginal heritage however as an Aussie I am deeply rooted to this country and land and standing there surrounded by Kunjarra/The Pebbles made me extra aware of this.

The Pebbles Tennant Creek

Kunjarra/The Pebbles are an extensive outcrop of granite boulders located 11 kilometres north of Tennant Creek. The sign boards at the site do a great job of explaining the cultural significance as well as how they fit in to the landscape and culture of the Warumungu Aboriginal people.

Kunjarra Tennant Creek

Known to the Warumungu Aboriginal people as Kunjarra/The pebbles. It is a sacred womens site where dancing and healing rites of the Munga Munga dreaming take place.

Accessing Kunjarra/The Pebbles

Access is about 500m past the Telegraph Station on the left for those travelling north on the Stuart Highway. There are six kilometres of unsealed road so high clearance vehicles are recommended. When we visited (August 2022) the dirt section was in pretty good condition with only a few corrugated sections.

Kunjarra/The Pebbles are open for visitor day use only. Camping is not permitted. There is a well formed walking track that winds around the site. Toilets are available.

Kunjarra The Pebbles Sign