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Australia - The Red Center - The Olgas (Kata Tjuta)
Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga (or colloquially as The Olgas), are large rock formations located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 30 km from Uluru. These domes cover 21.68 km2 of Kata Tjuta National Park and are a magnificent sight. These rock formations are a remarkable group of 36 domes (now only 28), made from an mixture of Granite, Basalt and Mudstone, no one is entirely sure how these three rock types have been mixed together, but anything is possible over such a long period of time. They are about 25 km from Uluru in the Northern Territory of Australia. The tallest of the group, Mount Olga, stands 545.4 m in height (197.3 m higher than Uluru).
The Pitjantjajara name Kata Tjuta means 'many heads'. The site is as sacred to the Indigenous people as Uluru. There are many Pitjantjatjara Dreamtime legends associated with this place and indeed everything in the vicinity including of course Uluru. A number of legends surround the great snake Wanambi who is said to live on the summit of Mount Olga and only comes down during the dry season.
There are two walks that you can take around the Olgas. The Valley of the Winds Walk is along a 7km track that circles several of the Olgas. If the temperature is due to be 36 degrees or more then this walk is closed from 11am at the Kalpa Lookout, so get there early to avoid disappointment. It is also best to walk early in the morning as it makes a more comfortable walk. The other walk that is available is the Olga Gorge Walk (Tatintjawiya), which is a 2km walk into the beautiful gorge. |
