Kata Tjuta means "many heads" in Anangu llanguage, a good description of the 36 domes that form the heavily eroded remains of an uplifted ancient seabed.
The typical red color comes from a thin layer of oxidized iron and sandstone particles.
The western name for the largest dome is Mount Olga, named after Queen Olga, a fervent collector of minerals.
Today many Aussies still refer to the rocks as the Olgas.

To the Anangu Kata Tjuta is a spirited place of ancient, dangerous and powerful knowledge and is only to be visited by initiated men, while strictly off limits to women and boys.
The snake Wanambi is said to live in a pool on Mount Olga and retreats to the gorges during the dry season. Here his breath creates the wind and when angry it can becomes a  real hurricane.    

Together with nearby Uluru (Ayers Rock) the domes are part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuka National Park, in 1987 added  to the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

We visited this very scenic place in June 1999. Unfortunately there was no time to do the full Walpa Gorge trail