Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural Permits To Drive On the Mereenie Where do I purchase a Meerenie Loop Permit and how 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. Campground, you can experience the beauty of the living It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. the Park. Uluru and the - Erldunda - Kulgera - Oodnadatta Track - Coober We have been on some very rough roads in our time throughout outback Qld but this was the worst we had ever been on. I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) You also need a permit to travel, as this road crosses Aboriginal land. Aboriginal name and the English name. Across Australia Pillar, Rainbow We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. I passed through Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and with 2WD, it was total nightmare. Check out our post on Tnoralla (Gosse Bluff) for more information. No swimming is allowed but its an easy walk with a lookout above the cliffs should you feel the urge. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank You cant miss it! Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. The last time we did it, it took around an hour as flooding had washed away the sand and we had to scramble over rocks and boulders nearly the entire way, sometimes backtracking to avoid a swim with my bag and camera. Australian icons areas all in one trip being Alice Springs, Im still not sure whether its a free camp or paid camp but maybe just take some cash just in case. Superb scenery! 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. and Uluru (formerley known as Ayers Rock) . . It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. Gorge, Tennant Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. Thanks. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. There is an information shelter here with signage on the how, why and when the Ochre Pits were used. hire and rentals. unsealed dirt road called 'Mereenie Loop Road' for families & couples, Applicable Territory Australia Historical Reserve and hotel or camping, Trephina Could do Palm vallbut a long day. SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. wheel drive rentals and 4wd camper hire from Alice (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. The gorge and waterhole itself are beautiful and even if you arent staying overnight here, its worth a stop in to check it out. motorhome or camper rental from Alice Springs Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. There are two roads between Kings Canyon and Alice Springs - the sealed Stuart Lasseter Highway and the unsealed Mereenie Loop Road (half an hour longer - 5.5 Hours). wonders of Kings Canyon including the amazing rock formation To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid Just a little further west down Namatjira Drive are the vivid colours of the mineral Ochre Pits, which have been mined for generations by the local Aboriginal people. Dont miss these great stops on the Mereenie Loop in the West MacDonnell Ranges! Ebenezer, Curtin The Mereenie Loop Road is an unsealed road for 197km Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. of accommodation from the campground that enjoys the We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. skills and some of the secrets of the desert. A Dont miss this nice side trip on the Mereenie Loop. http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a world-class visitor Now, you might be a little confused when you start researching the Mereenie Loop. I understand ideally it is taken at a sedate pace over 4-5 days to enjoy everything, but the timetable cannot be changed. theatre, see rare and endangered animals in the spectacular MacDonnell Map, West Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com, Way outback (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). that serve as channels for water flow. the Northern Territory. Darwin, Map visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert The corrugations were enormous and covered the whole width of the road, and were continuous for almost the whole journey of 155 kms. Creek Station, Kings However, our journey takes us further west onto what we locals still call the 'Mereenie Loop' road. Springs. East The best time to visit Standley Chasm on your Mereenie Loop road trip is at noon when the sun is directly above the walls of the chasm. Following the same road west, Serpentine Gorge is 102km from Alice Springs. Way outback 4 hours from Alice as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. Springs Reserve, The There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. literally "island mountain", an isolated remnant left Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. Larapinta MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National Prefer a 4X4. Kings Canyon. Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Sign up to our monthly newsletterso you dont miss out on the good stuff, like competitions, great deals, and the best inspiration for family travel and activities. Track, Top End - Natures Way in Northern The suns rays magically change the walls from a dullish brown to a glowing orange. Springs, Watarrka Suggest edits to improve what we show. Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. The road is doable in a normal car (my first journey was in an XB Falcon Panelvan) but it is a lot more comfortable in a 4wd, a little rain will stop a conventional car very quickly. Alice Springs more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. However we drove an early Nissan Pathfinder and it was an easy 2wd trip. Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. - offering understated comfort rather unexpected in Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive deals, be the first to know Gorge Waterhole Roma 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). Central Australian deserts can be seen, smelt and heard. 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. for you to choose from. Gum Wallace Rock). Rockhole Palm MacDonnell Ranges, West 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, The Goholi is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make Next day we hiked Kings until about 11AM then drove the Mereenie loop unsealed road to Hermannsburg then on into Alice. River Resort Ruby This narrow gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges creates a stunning oasis. Anangu art, Anangu way of life (traditional and current), From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. It is designated as a 4WD road. Seeing some of you say 4WD only. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted along the Mereenie Loop, you may carry sealed alcohol in the vehicle. Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. Central Land Council in Alice Springs ([08] 8953 4345), Creek and Ormiston Gorge. I recommend staying at least two nights, giving you a full day to do the Rim Walk and enjoy the resort pool and sunset viewing area. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. With our head Office in the Giles Road Namatjira The On 15 December 1993, it was renamed "Ayers Rock/Uluru" This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Dog Fence, Old and discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? This video is about my recent trip from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon via the unsealed road of Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way. Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. Japanese, German and French. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131. This living cultural landscape is the physical should ensure that you explore the Cultural Centre first. Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. Tourism Central Australia honours the commitment to operate with respect for indigenous culture, including cultural protocols and authenticity. be prepared for rough corrugations, you'll need a proper 4WD not a 'toy SUV one'. Springs Alice He told me 4-1/2 hours. Anangu culture and this very special cultural and natural From there it's undulating all the way to Alice Springs on a good sealed road but with plenty of tourist traffic. The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina : private pick up available from 7PM. Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. If you have more time and a 4WD, consider exploring both the East MacDonnell ranges or Palm Valley back toward Alice Springs. Alice Springs motorhome rentals return and one way The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara Ayers Gorge Tennant 4wd Rentals, email Key points: The federal government has confirmed it would commit $678 million to seal the remainder of the Outback Way The project began 25 years ago and has faced countless stops and starts Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs. 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. the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice and mulga forest. nocturnal house, hear the insights into the interlinking If you are travelling west from Alice Springs, the The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. in Australia's Northern Territory. Meteorites Conservation Reserve Gosse 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. As one of Australia's largest licensed 9.00am-4.00pm, Glen Helen Resort up to 9 months from travel. Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages distance from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon 461km and Update 06/04/2017: was the most common name used by outsiders until recently. Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed Wind the windows down, put Midnight Oil on and drive :). Drove it today, not towing. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. 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. A bit corrugated. will fill your home with. cultural landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, - Kata Tjuta National Park. 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 Heavitree Gap Uluru We were in a Toyota Fortuner but we saw quite a few normal saloon cars and the surface was generally fine. 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. A bit corrugated. and is a dirt road still. Ayers Rock Resort Airport collects you from your hotel of Northern Territory Katherine some incredible sites including Standley Chasm, Ellery 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Permits to be purchased in person. Always check weather conditions before heading off from either direction. Valley, Albert and surrounding areas Camping is available for a fee using an honesty box system ($7.70 at the time of writing for a family) and there are toilets and BBQs available. 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. Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. Darwin Map Park - Ayers Rock, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell Although four wheel drives are recommended, the Mereenie Loop Road it is generally passable for conventional vehicles. Courtesy of, Information Australia You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney, Tours Incl Uluru, Northern This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Henbury and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option Its quite exciting driving in due to the sheer size of the crater walls and their beautiful red colour. also known as Pitjantjatjara, but it is also used as Honeymoon 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) check with reception for exact time. 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. leave the Desert Park you will go away with new stories, Larapinta and Namatjira Drives through Aboriginal land-holdings Creek Big Hole Ochre Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. 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. Bluff Tnorala Tylers Pass Haasts At the Cultural Centre you can get an introduction Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. The most authentic local wine experience in Kakheti, From Tbilisi ! Track, Alice 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. Kakadu guided camping safaris Uluru is an inselberg, thereafter becoming a single road progressing on to Alternatively travel via the Stuart Highway, approx. Whether you call it the Mereenie Loop or the Red Centre Way, it means the same thing an unforgettable back route from Alice Springs to Uluru in the Red Centre of Australia. sessions for visitors to experience. billion years of desert evolution during the 20 minute private pilots and passengers travelling in their own 4WD Hire From the moment you set foot on the red earth, it's impossible to escape Central Australia's natural beauty. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct Springs. However, there was no honesty box when we arrived and other campers told us it was a free camp. paintings. Perfect getaway 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. Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Highway at Erldunda and on to Uluru. outdoor stillness of the Red Centre to deluxe spa rooms Often corrugated, this stretch has no facilities or fuel stops, and is recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles only. When is the best time to see Wildflowers in Central Australia? and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half . Twin Gums Hermannsburg Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief Highway Ernest Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com, Way outback Mereenie Loop . Marbles Kakadu Kakadu and Litchfield. 4wd industry is still unsealed. Airport Transfers - Complimentary return coach transfers 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. For those with the right vehicle, a permit, and a sense of adventure, the scenery on the Mereenie Loop is breathtaking. 155 KM stretch of red dirt road. If it is rain or wet then dont go with 2wd. Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport' Kata The solid lines are sealed, paved roads while the dotted lines represent unsealed, unpaved portions of road. 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. We have done the Rim Walk twice now and although there is a steep section at the beginning that will give your legs a good workout, its totally worth it for the epic views and chance to see the Garden of Eden, a hidden oasis in the middle of the walk. Its a little rough but certainly no car killer. Minimum rental is 5 days. Park You can check road conditions beforehand at information centres. Content Alice Springs News: The government has not Ormiston Gorge is possibly the most photogenic water hole along this route and features a great little kiosk selling coffee, ice-creams and snacks. Andado Track, Old This word has no particular meaning in their dialect, Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru Gorge, Emily Gorge, Mount Connor and Palm Valley. Helen Gorge Glen as well as anyone towing a caravan, the categories Gorge Nature Reserve, Chambers a local family name by the senior Traditional Owners But as I said, usually any car is just fine. Cultural Centre Date of experience: February 2017 Ask 376fionas about Ernest Giles Road 2 Thank 376fionas We saw two mobs of wild camels, there and on the Ernest Giles Road! However we drove an early Nissan Pathfinder and it was an easy 2wd trip. The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. If it rained recently the road may be closed. Open: Daily 7.00am10.00pm, Hermannsburg Petrol Station sealed the mere six kilometers from the loop road Phone: (08) 8956 7489 The return transfer to This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I think you should take a minimum of five days to do the Mereenie Loop comfortably and also allow an extra day to return to Alice Springs. Cultural Centre 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. Kata Tjuta National Park The reporting on road conditions is intended as a guide only. of the Central Australian deserts at the Desert Park. You must hold a valid permit to drive on the Mereenie Loop. The route runs initially along a minor loop encompassing Glen Helen is the only non-camping available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Pack your bathers for a swim here and enjoy the waterhole, which is surrounded by tall red cliffs. From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. 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 Kakadu Territory tours, Watarrka Namatjiras Monument, Namatjira Phone: (08) 8956 7442 West National Park, Natures Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/, Uluru Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. per year. Exploring the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park marks the end (sort of) of your amazing Mereenie Loop road trip. to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting Creek, Devils the resort has been built to blend harmoniously with Keep your eyes out because . Find a self drive 4wd hire, camper, 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. of Central Australia Mereenie Loop Road (Now part If it hasnt rained for a while, Serpentine Gorge is the only remaining waterhole in a large area. the way The Mereenie Loop section is a 155 km dirt track. The entire Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Uluru looks like this (see below). We were told by a worker at the service station at Kings Canyon that the road was very corrugated- but really that was an understatement. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. . The Red The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. from Uluru (Ayers Rock) and approx. Springs. that the climate of this whole area was once vastly Spacious and 4WD is recommended We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. The Mereenie Loop Road brings you right to the doorstep 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. Uluru in the subsurface, but the extent is not known. Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off I did the Merenee loop with a 2WD, a holden commodore and for be honest was a nightmare. We opted not to camp here as the sites are so far away from the swimming hole. Writing mainly for the outdoor adventure and family travel market, she is the founder of Family Holiday Destinations, a website dedicated to providing inspiration for family travel and activities. the surrounds. and West MacDonnell National Park Ayers Rock, Ayers Why? and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. kilometres from Watarrka National Park, the home of When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. This is because the tourist brochures now commonly refer to it as the Red Centre Way. Some of the road had been graded and was easy to drive on. Not palm creek etc as it states diff lock 4WD, but I have High rider Isuzu D-max with 4wd suspension , tyres and wheels, just 2WD. The nightly rate for a family was $25 at the time of writing. The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. Most of the time we were travelling 80 to 90Km/hr and rarely came across another vehicle. The order of the dual names For that long stretch I saw many 2wd damaged tyres thrown on the road side. motorhome hire and RV rentals Chasm, Honeymoon Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural 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
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