12 rock formations to see if you love Uluru

If you’re interested in spectacular rock formations, you won’t find a better destination than Australia. Sure, Jordan has Petra and Turkey has Cappadocia, but even once you’ve seen Uluru Australia has still more rock sites to see, from Uluru’s twin Mount Connor to the Twelve Apostles in Victoria.

Kata Tjuta, Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

Handily situated in the same national park as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, otherwise known as the Olgas, are around 50 kilometres away from the renowned monolith. Strikingly similar in colour to Uluru, Kata Tjuta is a collection of domed rock formations that light up at sunrise and sunset.

Karlu Karlu, Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles National Park, Northern Territory

Karlu Karlu is often colloquially known as the Devils Marbles, and, standing in front of these impressive boulders, you can see why. Haphazardly stacked against each other, it almost looks as though some giant has rolled these rocks along the ground, and then left them there for travellers to enjoy. As with Uluru, Karlu Karlu is best seen at sunrise or sunset, when the sun hitting the rocks strikes the formation into a vibrant red. And, luckily for travellers, you’ll find Karlu Karlu just off the Stuart Highway if you are travelling between Adelaide and Darwin.

Bungle Bungles, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia

The centrepiece of Purnululu National Park, the Bungle Bungles are a World Heritage–listed collection of incredible domed rocks in the Kimberley region. These huge rocks loom over the landscape, and have created a twisting collection of trails and gorges between them. The most impressive thing about the Bungle Bungles? Their tiger-striped colouring, which changes colours depending on the sun. The site is difficult to access, meaning that there aren’t as many visitors to the Bungle Bungles as a site like this warrants – but that means the exploration is all the better for intrepid travellers.

The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia

One could imagine that the Pinnacles were given their name because they are the pinnacle of rock formations in Australia. And in any other country they would be. The Pinnacles are thousands of limestone formations that rise out of the desert in Nambung National Park, forming an unexpectedly surreal landscape. Some of the rocks form famous shapes. Look out for ‘Indian Chief’ and ‘Two Nuns’.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell National Park, Victoria

The first thing you should know is that there are no longer 12 apostles. While there are now only eight, these massive rocks just off the southern coast of Victoria are still an incredible sight – and in what is becoming a theme for this list, look particularly impressive at either sunrise or sunset. Crafted over millions of years by sea and wind erosion, these formations almost seem to guard the coast. And once you have seen the apostles, there are other spectacularly formed rocks in this part of the world to visit, including Loch Ard Gorge.

Ball’s Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Of all the rock formations on this list, Ball’s Pyramid is probably the most difficult to reach, as it is situated in an isolated stretch of the Tasman Sea near Lord Howe Island. Unlike many of the other formations, which were parts of land that have eroded over time, Ball’s Pyramid is the tip of an old volcano that peaks out from the water. It’s an ancient formation, full of secrets –a stick insect thought to be extinct was found here in 2001. You can view the formation from Lord Howe Island, or, for the intrepid few, you can request a permit to climb the pyramid.

Mount Conner, Curtin Springs Station, Northern Territory

When viewed from a distance, Mount Conner can – and has – been mistaken for Uluru, since it is on the road to that monolith. Should you ever find yourself in the same situation, the most prominent distinguisher between the two formations is that Uluru has a rounded head, whereas Mount Conner’s is flat, as if the tip of the mountain has been cut off. As Mount Conner is on private land, you can only access the formation on a guided tour, but you can enjoy more unstructured viewing from the road or the Curtin Springs Roadhouse.

Wave Rock, Hyden, Western Australia

There’s nothing reminiscent of the beach at Hyden, except for Wave Rock. This 110-metre stretch of granite looks like a breaking ocean wave, an impression encouraged by the vertical stripes of colour running across the formation.

Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia

Hidden at the bottom of Kangaroo Island in Flinders Chase National Park, the Remarkable Rocks mark the edge of the island with panache. You can actually clamber around them, and see the fascinating way these granite boulders have eroded over time.

Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia

Nature’s Window comes by its name honestly, as the rock looks like a window into the surrounding Kalbarri National Park. Peer through it to get one of the best views of the Murchison River. Kalbarri National Park also has a spectacular array of gorges that have been carved out of rock that are well worth exploring.

Chambers Pillar, Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, Northern Territory

The Red Centre does seem to have more than its fair share of awe-inspiring geological formations. Included in the list is Chambers Pillar, which stands 50 metres above the surrounding flat plains in Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve. The best time to see the pillar is a sunset, when it is illuminated by the sun.

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales

Standing watch over the Blue Mountains, Aboriginal legend has it that three sisters were turned into rocks by a witchdoctor to protect them from over-enthusiastic suitors. Unfortunately, the witchdoctor died before he could undo the spell, and the sisters have remained in their position at Echo Point in Katoomba ever since. And it’s lucky for tourists that they did, because these rock formations are not to be missed. Standing at the Echo Point Lookout and gazing out towards the Three Sisters and their spectacular mountain backdrop is one of the highlights of any trip to the Blue Mountains.