Kata Tjuta – Ancient domes with a story to tell

The Outback really is the heart of Australia, both geographically and spiritually. Red earth deserts, sun baked and endless seem to stretch on forever to distant horizons, weird and wonderful wildlife is everywhere and its fascinating history as told through Dreamtime stories gives a glimpse into its spiritual heart. There is so much to see and do here you could easily spend weeks exploring this vast area, but if like most folks you’ve only got a limited amount of time, make sure you pick the best of the best places to visit. Uluru tours and Alice Springs tours are by far the easiest and most popular tours on offer, as they’re based in the heart of the action.

Kata Tjuta

One of the top places to visit in the area is Kata Tjuta. This mythical place is an important site for local Aboriginal communities and is features in many Dreamtime stories. Kata Tjuta means “many heads” and its easy to see how it got its name. The area is made up of 36 huge rock domes spread out over an area of more than 20km. These rocky behemoths vary in size and shape and are believed to be around 500 million years old – that’s half a billion years. It’s thought they were born from one larger rock that slowly eroded over the years, leaving behind the domes seen today.

Learn about the local Aboriginal legend, the great snake king called Wanambi

The best way to view the area is by following the Valley of the Winds trail, a 3 hour hike which allows you to walk among them and get awe inspiring views along the way. Learn about the local Aboriginal legend which tells the story of a great snake king called Wanambi who lived on the summit of the tallest dome (known today as Mount Olga), whose breath was said to be able to transform a breeze into a hurricane to punish those who performed evil deeds.
Kata Tjuta is a must see destination during any Outback tour and a walk among these ancient domes at sunset makes for an awesome experience, and one that will stay with you for years to come.