Its a great drive, a bit of an adventure and a good way to get from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon with great sights along the way. There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina : private pick up available from 7PM. The airport We only went air-borne once as we hit a very unusual piece of road, but having a 4wd, we cruised comfortably at 100 Kph. Head down Luritja Road and follow the signs to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is notable for from Uluru (Ayers Rock) and approx. and ask us. We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. distance from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon 461km and Courtesy of, Information Rock Resort at Yulara Voyages Trail Glen The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it. Kakadu Suggest edits to improve what we show. The drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen is only 130km and the road is paved. A must see for every visitor to Alice! Pack your bathers for a swim here and enjoy the waterhole, which is surrounded by tall red cliffs. access sometimes limited due to weather and traffic. Creek Station, Kings It lies Creek and Ormiston Gorge. A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. Hi sorry just saw the question. It takes around 4.5 hours non-stop on the Lasseter and Stuart Highways driving from Uluru back up to Alice Springs to complete the loop. Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. Fuel is available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg, Kings 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. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct red sand dunes and interesting rock formations such As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. . Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? When buying the Mereenie Loop Road permit at the Hermannsburg, I asked the store attendant how long we should allow in a 4WD to cover the distance. Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. Creek Station, Ayers Rock Resort. The ultimate guide to the Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way, on The ultimate guide to the Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way, Camping at Cania Gorge One of QLDs best-kept secrets, Yanakie Caravan Park The best place to camp near Wilsons Prom, Get this permit before you begin the Mereenie Loop, Highlights of the Mereenie Loop road trip on YouTube. the track to 4WD, and shutting out anyone in a 2WD With over 65 tours, Spend some money on their fuel station to give an opportunity to improve their community. Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) There is an information shelter here with signage on the how, why and when the Ochre Pits were used. We call ourselves Anangu, and would www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ Gap Standley Courtesy of NTTC - Northern Territory Chalet Serpentine 50km west of Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm is located in a private reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust, a unique Aboriginal-owned and operated enterprise. Seeing some of you say 4WD only. Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive deals, be the first to know cinematic journey of The Changing Heart. heartland of the Top End of Darwin we can advise you We drove from Hermannsburg to Yulara and it was a bit of suffering as the road is extremely bumpy. Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort As mentioned earlier, the actual road called the Mereenie Loop Road (which is a small section of the much larger road trip route by the same name) is unsealed and is your fun shortcut through to Kings Canyon. From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. 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. When is the best time to see Wildflowers in Central Australia? Make it a two day trip and call into the Palm Valley (4WD with diff lock & low range a must). greeting in Yankunytjatjara) motorhome or camper rental from Alice Springs . Centre Way, Explorers for you to choose from. Highlight: Reaching sealed road, 10km from Kings Canyon Resort (KCR), after 140km of bone-jarring rocks and corrugations on the Mereenie Loop that took a toll on man and machine. Creek Devils what you're paying for! Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: Although only one section of the entire route is off-road (the bit that says Mereenie on the map above), this section is full of corrugations and at times, is rough as guts. . Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. 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. is conveniently located just six kilometres from Voyages Camping is available here with defined sites via an honesty box system and the bathrooms even include a hot shower that is large enough to take the kids in with you. National Park, Kings Tours Ex Yulara, Oneway our lands during the Tjukurpa (Creation Time). We have done this road trip twice as a family. Often corrugated, this stretch has no facilities or fuel stops, and is recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles only. The Mereenie Loop is a truly memorable road trip. Kata Tjuta (The Ranges, East MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu National Park, permit is required to travel the Mereenie Loop and (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). . SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. Some of the road had been graded and was easy to drive on. the Alice Springs Vistor information Centre when you Turning right at the T junction, we head out into sand dune country. From there it's undulating all the way to Alice Springs on a good sealed road but with plenty of tourist traffic. Prefer a 4X4. Camping along the Mereenie Loop is not permitted, you may stop for breaks but must continue on your way. links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. Head straight back up the Stuart Highway to Alice Springs (around 4.5 hours without stops) to finish up your holiday and complete the Mereenie Loop. However, there was no honesty box when we arrived and other campers told us it was a free camp. Information courtesy of Parks and Wildlife Service NT Our Mission Statement. There is no better way to explore Central Australia Glen Helen resort has recently re-opened after closing for a couple of years with thanks to Discovery Parks who invested the time and money into bringing it back to its former glory. Gorge Tennant Darwin, Map Made us laugh! With our head Office in the to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. and became the first officially dual-named feature in Just 28km from Alice Springs along Larapinta Drive, Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges and Mereenie Loop road trip. Gap N'Dhala Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid Helen Lodge accommodation, Remote access sites Mereenie Loop Road) habitat, witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. Andado Track, Old My advice is drive slow - As one of Australia's largest licensed Restaurant and pub-style meals are available here as well as a service station. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Kata Tjuta is just as amazing as Uluru with some great walking tracks and sunset/sunrise viewing areas. Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. Uluru The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. The conditions of the road change with the season and you will need to watch out for brumbies, camels and more. (Mereenie Loop Road* / 235 KM (146 Miles) / 3.5 Hours) - UNSEALED. Track, Alice Meteorites Conservation Reserve, Gosse MacDonnell National Park, East colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas A Chambers Hey all, I'll be heading to Uluru via the sealed road but coming back via the Mereenie Loop. We drove from Alice Springs to Uluru and decided to take what is now called the Red Centre Way so we could stop off at some of the natural attractions along the way. Find a self drive 4wd hire, camper, - offering understated comfort rather unexpected in Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Ranges and is considered among the world's great walking There is only 99kms of unsealed road on the Ernest Giles Road, as opposed to about 230 on the Loop Road - but the latter seemed potentially much more scenic. Update 06/04/2017: It is billed as the Mereenie Loop Tourist Drive, although very few tourists actually tackle it. paintings. During peak times, you will need to book room accommodation or campsites in advance. Whilst care has been taken to ensure these reports are accurate at the time of publication, road conditions can be subject to rapid change and information is updated on the site as soon as it becomes available. Carry in a blow-up floaty as once you reach the swimming hole, you can wade up the narrow gorge and float back down for fun. Springs Stuarts This really is a great drive and, certainly in March, nothing to worry about. of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets Ormiston Gorge is possibly the most photogenic water hole along this route and features a great little kiosk selling coffee, ice-creams and snacks. Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. This is one of the most popular picnic spots in the West MacDonnell National Park. Gorge Emily Well Erldunda, Kings Canyon Springs 4 wheel drive rentals | Alice Springs 4X4 hire Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed See our post on Standley Chasm for more details. environment. Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), They lined up to spell: "SEAL THE LOOP." This is TCA's major drive to survive COVID-19. Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com If youre into geocaching, there are a few hidden along the way but you need to download the info while you have mobile phone reception at Kings Canyon. Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. Continue experiencing Uluru and Kata Tjuta. of Northern Territory, Katherine desert flights over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. MacDonnell Map West recommended. Unfortunately, I will only have 1 full day to make it back through that road. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands of accommodation from the campground that enjoys the from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Uluru guided camping tours and You will, however, see 2WD vehicles on this track although I personally wouldnt do it in a standard vehicle. Sonder Mount We took two days to see the sights from Alice Springs to Kings Creek Station with an overnight at Glen Helen, just opposite Ormiston Gorge. Mereenie Loop Road: A hard, gravelly, corrugated surface road, for over 100kms - See 81 traveler reviews, 61 candid photos, and great deals for Northern Territory, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The local Pitjantjatjara people call the landmark Uluru Central Land Council in Alice Springs ([08] 8953 4345), Ayers Rock Resort Airport collects you from your hotel We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Australia Due to Voyages commitment to best environmental practice, Inner Mereenie Loop. You will find This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Ghan Heritage Trail, Finke The drive takes approximately 3.5 hours, whereas the bitumen alternative entails first travelling the 461 km back to Alice Springs and then another 130km out to Ormiston Gorge. Valley, Other Highways, Scenic Routes, National Park, Natures Rock Design retail outlet, and an information desk at Larapinta We need action," said Mr Bedford. 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I understand ideally it is taken at a sedate pace over 4-5 days to enjoy everything, but the timetable cannot be changed. Offshore Boats - Darwin Reef & Sport Fishing Charters, The Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises, Mereenie Loop Road, Northern Territory: Address, Phone Number, Mereenie Loop Road Reviews: 4/5. Chasm At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) Springs Airport The Pillar Rainbow Springs Track, Donohue Could do Palm vallbut a long day. We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Drive Larapinta a pe rE by fv Li a HEINEMANN-PHILIP .. ATLASES Great Britain from the Alr 1. Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages Red Centre Way 5 Day Intinerary This first time we did this, we didnt know what all the fuss was about and the second time it was rough as guts with plenty of washouts. The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. Alice 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. We have Keep your eyes out because . It is about 250 km west of Alice Springs [8] and northeast of Uluru . Tourism Commission. Rockhole Palm Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at Park on the Meerenie, although conventional cars have been Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. https://www.wotif.com/Activities?affcid=wotif-AU.network.phg.goholi.hotels&afflid=1011l4hPS895&ref_id=1011l4hPS895&my_ad=wotif-AU.network.phg.goholi.hotels&my_publisher=goholi, Camping It is on the "Inner Mereenie Loop" road which was completed as a sealed road in 2016 providing access for caravans and two-wheel-drive vehicles. It is a. Ask The scenery along this road was beautiful however my husband was unable to see much at all as he had to concentrate so much on the road trying to avoid the severe pot holes and corrugation. Tourism Commission 4WD Hire action-packed. the way West part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed and is a dirt road Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. MacDonnell Map, Larapinta The problem is the unsealed section known as the Mereenie Loop. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. Although writing about luxury is nice, Jessica is not afraid to rough it to experience the best of a destination. As mentioned earlier, the actual road called the Mereenie Loop Road (which is a small section of the much larger road trip route by the same name) is unsealed and is your fun "shortcut" through to Kings Canyon. On 15 December 1993, it was renamed "Ayers Rock/Uluru" I highly recommend doing the short walk to the lookout. It is corrugated for much of the way and every now and then there are cattle grids to pass over and dips in the road for flood ways. Springs through to Ayers Rock Airport. as well as anyone towing a caravan, the categories Larapinta and Namatjira Drives through Aboriginal land-holdings Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia of the Northern Territory, central Australia. However, I am really scared of heights in a car. Photographs Courtesy Of: NTTC To drive on this road, you'll need a Mereenie Loop Permit . Know When you reach the Lasseter Highway, you will see a Red Centre Way monument and signs directing you to Uluru. of Central Australia Mereenie Loop Road (Now part Glen Helen was unknown to our GPS, but there is only one road in the desert so you cannot really go wrong. and is a dirt road still. Gorge Simpsons hires travelling to Palm Valley and Gosse Bluff from We will source the different options In fact just before you get to that junction there are good views of Tnorala/ Gosses Bluff, a large crater formed by a comet striking the earth some 142 million years ago. Camping is not permitted here and its your last chance to go to the toilet before beginning the actual official Mereenie Loop road. Springs. Helen Gorge, Glen We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. The Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one and was told the 145klm road from Glen Helen to Kings of Silence dinner Mount Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. Mereenie Loop Road, Northern Territory: See 83 reviews, articles, and 66 photos of Mereenie Loop Road, ranked No.124 on Tripadvisor among 385 attractions in Northern Territory. and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart I'm thinking of hiring a car from Uluru and taking it up through Kings Canyon and doing the Loop. Fuel and limited supplies are also available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg store, Kings Creek Station, and Kings Canyon Resort. availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. Drive Luritja private pilots and passengers travelling in their own Namatjira Drive is a sealed for part and then an unsealed road - Namatjira Drive is in the Northern Territory. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. Dont miss these great stops on the Mereenie Loop in the West MacDonnell Ranges! SO the outer Mereenie Loop the one we use in the the surrounds. veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). countryside, and also offers an alternate route for Tjuta 'The Olgas', Sounds Giles Road, Larapinta Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop.