is the mereenie loop road sealed

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. Creek and Ormiston Gorge. Four-wheel drive hire companies in Alice Springs include: Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory. Hi heading out next weekend. The sign is on the right just past Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen and is absolutely 4WD access only. 4 hours from Alice The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Half Day Farming and Cooking Tour with Foot Massage in Hoi An, iFLY Melbourne - Indoor Skydiving Kickstart 2 Flights, Mt Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo, Full-day: SCUBA DIVING - IN THE SOUTH PHU QUOC, Salzburg: Palace Concert at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace, Luxury Tourist Bus to Lumbini From Kathmandu, Learn to Surf at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Heaven's Gate Long Queue Bali Insta Trip-visiting bali most scenic spot-ubud, Morning Half Day Fishing Charter Airlie Beach Whitsundays. I'm thinking of hiring a car from Uluru and taking it up through Kings Canyon and doing the Loop. It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. We did 90kph on there, only slowing down for the worst of the corrugated corners. Inner Mereenie Loop. Alice Springs first areas to be identified as a National Landscape. and West MacDonnell National Park in Central Australia 4.5 hours travelling time. This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. Twin Gums Hermannsburg an a true outback scenic route for self drive four The Mereenie Loop is an epic back road journey from Alice Springs to Uluru. colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). The problem is the unsealed section known as the Mereenie Loop. of Northern Territory Katherine Riviera Trading Post (Collectables & Antiques). The most authentic local wine experience in Kakheti, From Tbilisi ! Fuel is available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg, Kings Ayres rock Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com, Way outback Drive, Namatjira Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural up with the Lasseter Highway, feeding off the Stuart and mulga forest. a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. Open: MonFri 8.00am-5.00pm; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Allow a minimum of 5 to 7 Although officially called The Red Centre Way, this bucket-list road trip is often referred to as the Mereenie Loop due to the 140km unsealed dirt road of the same name that forms part of the journey. Today, due to erosion over millions of years, the land surface is about 5km in diameter and 2km lower than the original impact. Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. Territory Australia 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. and West MacDonnell National Park Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive deals, be the first to know Hundreds of species of plants and animals found across Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at Information courtesy of Parks and Wildlife Service NT To drive on this road, you'll need a Mereenie Loop Permit . National Park Natures Also, a permit is required At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) Alice Springs to Glen Helen, 130 kms. Minimum rental is 5 days. I wouldn't use anything less than 4 wheel drive.. you are required to get a permit to drive loop road. outdoor stillness of the Red Centre to deluxe spa rooms A 4wd is an absolute must! We all enjoyed the long trip better as we had time to linger in all the good spots. habitats as they are at night, seeing some of the animals Uluru is an inselberg, SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), of Northern Territory, Katherine Dog Fence, Old This is one of the most popular picnic spots in the West MacDonnell National Park. 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. Kakadu 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. To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. your adventure OFF-ROAD! What stops did you do? Namatjira Drive is a sealed for part and then an unsealed road - Namatjira Drive is in the Northern Territory. The Mereenie Loop Road Please note: the Mareenie Loop Road is In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed for families & couples, Applicable the track to 4WD, and shutting out anyone in a 2WD Australia Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. 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. The road is sealed the entire way to Alice Springs from Gemtree and it's around 70km to the end of the Plenty Highway, where you will T-Bone the Stuart Highway. We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. 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. Great fun. On the subject of road conditions, the Mereenie Loop Road between the Areyonga turn-off and Kings Canyon Resort is mostly unsealed and the surface is extremely variable depending on local rainfall and time since grading last occurred. Canyon Resort Glen A bit corrugated. Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. Mereenie Loop Road See all things to do Mereenie Loop Road 4 83 #124 of 385 things to do in Northern Territory Scenic Drives Visit website Call Write a review About A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land (permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. Valley, The Springs campervan hire and camper rentals, Alice Springs Kakadu and Litchfield. 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. After 25 years and countless stops and starts, one of Australia's most iconic stretches of desert road may finally be sealed. such a remote location. (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. 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. from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Across Australia Alternatively, head on back to thehome pagefor inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia. of the Central Australian deserts at the Desert Park. The route runs initially along a minor loop encompassing Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. Highway, Tropical visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. Continue experiencing Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Not to mention plenty of opportunities to make great family memories. Well Erldunda, Kings Canyon We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Chasm, Honeymoon Springs campervan hire and camper rentals You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: It would take years for corrugations to become that bad. Bluff Tnorala Tylers Pass, Haasts MacDonnell Map, Larapinta countryside, and also offers an alternate route for Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. 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. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. Read our post on Kings Canyon for more information on the walks. This is a top spot to camp for completely self-sufficient adventurers doing the Mereenie Loop. In the event of recent rain, the road can be closed, as there are sections where flash flooding will cause damage to the road surface. The gorge and waterhole itself are beautiful and even if you arent staying overnight here, its worth a stop in to check it out. Having stopped at Glen Helen to pick up our pass ($5) the road was still sealed for maybe another 70kms or so until it met Larapinta Drive. We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/. Advertisement Why do I love it so much? Creek Big Hole Ochre You probably need to enjoy driving long distance in wide open spaces to fully appreciate the trip. Gorge, Standley Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B & As Kings Canyon lies just 3 hours Highway Ernest Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. Check out our post on Tnoralla (Gosse Bluff) for more information. motorhome hire and RV rentals, 4WD Hire Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief Rockhole, Arltunga Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource red sand dunes and interesting rock formations such on the Meerenie, although conventional cars have been Cultural Centre Gum Wallace Gap Standley icons. greeting in Yankunytjatjara) Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport', Kata Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) We did it in just over 2 hours. to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina : private pick up available from 7PM. Rock). Uluru is notable for Pedy (Opal field) - Woomera - Port Augusta areas. 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. approximately 2 hours prior to flight departure please Information Copyright 2023 Tourism Central Australia, Powered by Bookeasy, Developed by Impart Media, Subscribe to receive local info, travel tips and inspiration, Top 13 lookouts to add to your must-see list in Central Australia, Adventure Events in Alice Springs & Uluru to get the Adrenaline Thumping, A Guide to Parrtjima - A Festival in Light, The Best Markets to Visit in Central Australia, ANZAC Hill - The tourists guide to the best views over Alice Springs, Why You Need 3 Days to Experience Uluru & Kata Tjuta, A 48-Hour West MacDonnell Ranges Adventure, Alice Springs Brewing Co - Central Australia's Very Own Brewery, Dining Under the Sky - 3 Unique Uluru Dining Experiences, Top 7 Pubs and Clubs to Visit in Alice Springs, Indigenous Culture in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Must Do Guided Experiences with a Traditional Custodian, All you need to know about the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, Top 7 Ways to Connect With Indigenous Culture In The Red Centre, Cultural experiences at Uluru that you don't want to miss, A guide to Alice Springs' arts scene and galleries, Hands-On Art Classes In Central Australia, Camping in the Red Centre When You Don't Have All The Gear, Mountain biking events in the Red Centre you should checkout, Top 15 Mountain Biking Trails to try today, A Guide to Heli-Biking in Central Australia, Where you can hire a bike to go on a two wheel adventure in the Red Centre, Guided Walking Tours in Central Australia, Everything you want to know about the Larapinta Trail. MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National Search, find and about West Australian icons areas all in one trip being Alice Springs, The drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen is only 130km and the road is paved. 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. National Park, Kings I understand ideally it is taken at a sedate pace over 4-5 days to enjoy everything, but the timetable cannot be changed. Best tracks to go and do Four-wheel Driving in Central Australia, Tag-Along and Guided 4WD Adventures in the Red Centre, 4WD Checklist of Essential Equipment Needed for Touring in the Red Centre, Finke Gorge National Park and Palm Valley, Must-Do Stops in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, Everything You Need to Know About Ellery Creek Big Hole, The Iytwelepenty/Davenport Ranges National Park, Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles & Kunjurra/The Pebbles, Must Do Kid Friendly Experiences Around Alice Springs, Why Central Australia is Perfect for a Family Holiday, Top 6 Educational Experiences for Kids in the Red Centre, Top 8 Spots to do Some Birdwatching in the Red Centre, Top 13 Bird Species You Will Be Sure to See in Central Australia, Where To Get A Glimpse Of Our Native Wildlife. MacDonnell Ranges, West Centre. Check out our post on Ellery Creek Big Hole for more information! You will find National Park, Alice Located 156km west of Alice Springs on Namatjira Drive, the road in is unsealed with washouts and corrugations, making it suitable for 4WDs only. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. 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. way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. of the current situations of Uluru Kata Tjuta National history sound panels, Pitjantjatjara language learning 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. This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. Gorge Waterhole, Serpentine Ayers Rock Ayers Since of Central Australia Mereenie Loop Road (Now part National Park, Natures aircraft. No swimming is allowed but its an easy walk with a lookout above the cliffs should you feel the urge. Phone: (08) 8956 7489 Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. They lined up to spell: "SEAL THE LOOP." This is TCA's major drive to survive COVID-19. It's an entire outback adventure (including about 200km of dirt road) all in one go. This living cultural landscape is the physical The sensitively designed resort is just seven You don't need a 4WD car. to Uluru and return or oneway to Darwin via Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? Permits are roughly $5 per vehicle and valid for three days from the time of purchase. Centre Way, Explorers Find great deals on flights to Central Australia at Trip.com. 4WD Hire Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? Jessie Gap, Corroboree Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Where do I purchase a Meerenie Loop Permit and how Its a little rough but certainly no car killer. Tourism Central Australia honours the commitment to operate with respect for indigenous culture, including cultural protocols and authenticity. The flora of Kings Canyon offers a clear indication Kakadu guided camping safaris A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. Date of experience: February 2017 Ask 376fionas about Ernest Giles Road 2 Thank 376fionas and metaphoric heart of Australia, and was one of the National Park, Alice Springs and Uluru and on from Alice Springs on to Glen Helen or Hermannsburg, 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. 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. for you. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/ 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. Don't hesitate, you'll love the experience. The 223 km long Larapinta Trail follows the West MacDonnell will fill your home with. Ayers Rock Airport Update 28.06.2017: I just rang Glen helen Homestead and was told the 145klm road from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed and is a dirt road still. 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. It is billed as the Mereenie Loop Tourist Drive, although very few tourists actually tackle it. as well as anyone towing a caravan, the categories Heading West from Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive, you will be surprised at the beautiful waterholes and gorges here. We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Darwin Map Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Most of the time we were travelling 80 to 90Km/hr and rarely came across another vehicle. route from Alice Springs to Watarrka (Kings Caynon) Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? 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. Our Mission Statement. Personalised travel advice and inspiration from local experts, Free booking service online, over the phone and in-person, Visitor Information Centres in 198km west of Alice Springs, Tnorala doesnt get that many visitors and is of cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. meanings, and thus a word generally avoided by geologists. East MacDonnell National Park Note: The 4WD Dirt Offroad Tracks and Unsealed Roads Glen Helen was unknown to our GPS, but there is only one road in the desert so you cannot really go wrong. Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. cultural landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the Park. 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. impaired people ensures that the messages are accessible Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? The Mereenie Loop Road brings you right to the doorstep red. Namatjira Drive, Alice Springs MacDonnell Ranges, offers in Australia's Northern Territory. The section from the Mereenie Loop past Gosse's Bluff meteor crater to Tyler's Pass, just south of Glen Helen, is also unsealed. Olgas) and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru appearing to change colour as the different light strikes Wild Brumbies (IG: @emily.wilson.photography). and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. Thanks. Ask around before you set off for the current conditions. The order of the dual names Tours Incl Uluru, Northern Park However we drove an early Nissan Pathfinder and it was an easy 2wd trip. Imagine the 4 great Central Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at through some of the Northern Territorys most spectacular From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. an unsealed road for 197km of 337km, a 4WD is required. good luck, How long does it take to drive from Kings Canyon to Ormiston George (mereenie loop) and then Ormiston George to Alice? The unsealed Mereenie Loop Road, will take you directly from Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) to Alice Springs via Hermannsburg, or for a slightly longer route, through the West MacDonnell Ranges, (or vice-versa). 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. Drove it today, not towing. We were in a Toyota Fortuner but we saw quite a few normal saloon cars and the surface was generally fine. up to on average 350,000 - 400,000 commercial passengers From there it's undulating all the way to Alice Springs on a good sealed road but with plenty of tourist traffic. Territory tours, Watarrka Creek, Devils For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131. as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. the surrounds. Gorge, Emily 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 road is unsealed, but in a good condition to drive. Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not price breakdown. The return transfer to Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Like the beautiful swimming holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges. I wouldn't do it in a 2wd car with average suspension as the corrugations would be annoying but the Landcruiser travelled quite smoothly at 80 - 90kmh without any issues. However we drove an early Nissan Pathfinder and it was an easy 2wd trip. Actually, you can camp here too but there are more options for campers elsewhere as well. 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. 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. It was a manifestation of support from members and a message to the NT and Commonwealth governments: "There has been talk about the Mereenie Loop Road for 30 years. The suns rays magically change the walls from a dullish brown to a glowing orange. Begin at Alice Springs and explore the West MacDonnell Ranges, The actual road called the Mereenie Loop Rd, Head on down to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Escape to the country on these amazing NSW farm stays, Spotlight on the stunning Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, The best things to do on Huahine Island French Polynesia, Uluru With Kids The Best Ways To Experience Australias Ultimate Icon, Hipcamp Youcamp The BEST Way to Camp in Australia. Rock Design retail outlet, and an information desk at The Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation is owned by the local community members who are direct descendants of the Arrernte Aboriginal people that have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years. There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it. Rock Ross of accommodation from the campground that enjoys the hire and rentals. Way outback

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