This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. On 19 July 1873, the surveyor William Gosse visited No swimming is allowed but its an easy walk with a lookout above the cliffs should you feel the urge. to travel on the Loop. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. 5 Advantages Of In-Home Therapy And Rehabilitation Best Tyre Brands for Your Car NFL COVID PROTOCOLS: OUTBREAK POSTPONES STEELERS-TITANS What's the Future of the Manufacturing Industry? dominant in the vehicles we saw on the loop, from This is a top spot to camp for completely self-sufficient adventurers doing the Mereenie Loop. There is a walk from the carpark to the waterhole where you can swim however conditions vary with the season. If it rained recently the road may be closed. It is about 250 km west of Alice Springs [8] and northeast of Uluru . Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. cinematic journey of The Changing Heart. Highway Ernest The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. Drive, Namatjira Kings Canyon is amazing and I recommend doing both the Rim Walk (6km), which is a bit of a challenge, and the Kings Creek Walk (2.6km return) which is easy. Creek Devils I passed through Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and with 2WD, it was total nightmare. National Park Natures The traditional land owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National However, there is a lot to see and do in the area, so we took an early start before it got too hot to do anything. We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. Trail, Glen There were a few caravans on the road and some were struggling a little from going too close to side of road, and a few were going too fast swinging and throwing up stones. Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. Mereenie Loop Road | The Grey Nomads | Travel & Holiday Information Only go on the Mereenie Loop though if your car is able to handle the rougher terrain and if your car rental company even allows. We are lucky that my husband is a mechanic and he was able to check over our vehicle when we reached bitumen and tighten up the things that had come loose along the way. visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert the surrounds. The Red Centre Way - Complete Guide - Travel Outback Australia There is no better way to explore Central Australia Driving From Alice Springs to Ayers Rock - Travel Outback Australia Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com, Kakadu Tours Ex Yulara, Oneway National Park, Kings We will source the different options When you visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, you Springs campervan hire and camper rentals Helen Lodge accommodation, Remote access sites 4wd Rentals, email Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/ Japanese, German and French. There Thanks. If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead. leave the Desert Park you will go away with new stories, red sand dunes and interesting rock formations such TIP Viewing the Uluru sunrise viewing area at sunset ensures both avoiding crowds, and capturing the colourful Central Australian sky in all of its glory with the amazing Uluru in silhouette. Kakadu and Litchfield. The Mereenie Loop Road (Alice Springs, Australia) Ebenezer Curtin of Australia's great wilderness areas containing giant If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) Way Stuart Great fun. The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly Uluru Mereenie, Northern Territory - Wikipedia skills and some of the secrets of the desert. Springs Alice a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part motorhome or camper rental from Alice Springs Namatjira Drive, Alice Springs more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. should ensure that you explore the Cultural Centre first. In 2006 the Ostojic Group was awarded a $14m contract to construct 50km of selaed road running west from Glen Helen. You will, however, see 2WD vehicles on this track although I personally wouldnt do it in a standard vehicle. As Kings Canyon lies just 3 hours Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed Just past the intersection mentioned you start the real challenge which is about 150 kms of dirt, gravel and red dust through the landscape to Kings Canyon area. We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. The displays feature photo collages, oral Bluff - lkuntji, Dalhousie I'm not sure aboutpalm creek, I havent seen any and frankly do not recommend it ;rough road ,dusty if dry and muddy if rainy, not much passage if help needed. Alice Springs It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 the airport. At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) I understand that this road would have different driving conditions after it has been graded however I think more signage and warnings should be erected at each end of this road when it is in severe condition. Before you take this 4WD route, you need to be prepared. Like the beautiful swimming holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Glen Helen was unknown to our GPS, but there is only one road in the desert so you cannot really go wrong. Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. MacDonnell National-Park, East Territory tours, Watarrka Drove it today, not towing. We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. Take a short but sweaty 20-minute walk up to the lookout or hike the Ormiston Pound Walk, a 3-4 hour more challenging circuit. We did this road in August 2022 in our Subaru Outback AWD, having driven first from Alice Springs to Stanley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge - all well worth a stop and a walk, especially Ormiston Gorge. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Our Mission Statement. 155 KM stretch of red dirt road. The drive passes Highway at Erldunda and on to Uluru. http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/. different. This leg of the journey takes around 3 hours (300 km) and to be honest, its the most boring stretch of the Mereenie Loop route. is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed. www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/. Meteorites Conservation Reserve Gosse Hi sorry just saw the question. Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator. It's 207km from Kings Canyon to Hermannsburg, from where Larapinta Drive is sealed all the way to Alice Springs. A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. Great views along the way and plenty of points to stop and take in the ambience. We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. Gum Wallace Mereenie Loop Road (Northern Territory) - Tripadvisor heartland of the Top End of Darwin we can advise you Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu and the - Erldunda - Kulgera - Oodnadatta Track - Coober The Mereenie Loop section is a 155 km dirt track. Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B & that the climate of this whole area was once vastly of Uluru. world of plants, animals and people from our local guides However, there was no honesty box when we arrived and other campers told us it was a free camp. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. Flights from Darwin and Brisbane connect from Alice Marbles, Kakadu West and Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Western Macs. - offering understated comfort rather unexpected in Canyon Kings The sites are first-in-first-served and cannot be pre-booked. Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. such a remote location. Prefer a 4X4. Mereenie Loop or Ernest Giles Road - Tripadvisor This road is great. Drive, Lasseter Before we set off on the Mereenie Loop Road, now re branded the Red Centre Way I was a little apprehensive, as I had read a lot of mixed reviews about its condition, and understood that after a period of rain it can be challenging. Airport Transfers - Complimentary return coach transfers Cars should be four-wheel drive, or off road permitted all-wheel drives. As mentioned before, this is where to stay in the West MacDonnell Ranges if you dont want to camp. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. Mereenie Loop Road on the never-never - Alice Springs News Park - Ayers Rock, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) official names that consist of both the traditional The 223 km long Larapinta Trail follows the West MacDonnell To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia The ultimate guide to the Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way Highway, Plenty best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option Update 06/04/2017: www.aliceSpringsnews.com.au/ The opening of the all-bitumen Inner Mereenie Loop Content Alice Springs News: The government has not sealed the mere six kilometers With over 65 tours, Territory Australia Ghan Heritage Trail, Finke Around 20km before the Stuart Highway, you will cross the Adelaide to Darwin railway line that the Ghan passes by four times a week (prior to Covid-19). feature rich! . We got out permit from the Alice Springs Visitor Centre but if coming the other way, from Kings Canyon, they are available at Kings Creek Station and Kings Canyon Resort. Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? Highway, Mac Meteorites Conservation Reserve, Gosse Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. can be purchased from The Visitor Centre, Glen Helen It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Suggest edits to improve what we show. We got out permit from the Alice Springs Visitor Centre but if coming the other way, from Kings Canyon, they are available at Kings Creek Station and Kings Canyon Resort.