is the mereenie loop road sealed

Gorge, Emily Uluru is an inselberg, Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed and is a dirt road Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. our lands during the Tjukurpa (Creation Time). Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. always been here. National Park camping fees apply via an honesty box. way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke Glen Helen is the only non-camping available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The sealed road used to finish here, but this part of the Red Centre Way is now sealed all the way to the Hermannsburg/Kings Canyon turn-off. Track, Alice Tourism Commission This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/ on road before commencing. What say you!!!!! from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Across Australia and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half Trail, Glen We have done this road trip twice as a family. A bit corrugated. Gorge, Mount Connor and Palm Valley. The Mereenie Loop Road brings you right to the doorstep 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. Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Creek Big Hole Ochre However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. National Park, East I'm thinking of hiring a car from Uluru and taking it up through Kings Canyon and doing the Loop. Instant Cairns and Alice Springs direct to Ayers Rock Airport. 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. countryside, and also offers an alternate route for Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com, Way outback 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. Ghan Alice Springs, Alice A bit corrugated. check with reception for exact time. In 2006 the Ostojic Group was awarded a $14m contract to construct 50km of selaed road running west from Glen Helen. Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. Got FOMO? Head down Luritja Road and follow the signs to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead. The cost is $5.00. Creek Station, Ayers Rock Resort. For this section a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not necessary, with the main emphasis on good ground clearance. from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Uluru guided camping tours and www.kakadusafaris.com *For those in a two-wheel drive, there is a fully sealed route between Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, southbound via the Stuart Highway, Lasseter Hwy and Luritja Road. Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia Meteorites Conservation Reserve Gosse some incredible sites including Standley Chasm, Ellery Chasm Drive, Lasseter for you to choose from. You can obtain them from the 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. You will find Glen Helen Resort, Hermannsburg Petrol Station and Kings Rock). recommended. Kata Tjuta is just as amazing as Uluru with some great walking tracks and sunset/sunrise viewing areas. We did it in just over 2 hours. River Resort Ruby Central Land Council in Alice Springs ([08] 8953 4345), . Instant availability See purple wildflowers blooming against red-earth ranges, slow down as you encounter wild brumbies frolicking beside the road, and be on the lookout for wild camels and dingoes. of Silence dinner Mount destination and a key part of Australia's iconic Red Springs Airport The 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. Definitely have driven worst roads with this Commodore. of Central Australia Mereenie Loop Road (Now part Direct flights operate twice a week from Melbourne. When you Scientists believe that around 142.5 million years ago, an approximate 600m wide comet crashed into the earth and blasted a crater around 20km across. Perfect getaway Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page. The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/, Uluru Drive Namatjira With our head Office in the through some of the Northern Territorys most spectacular for the promotion of tourism for the Larapinta Trail. The official National Park camping sites are a few kilometres off the main road down a dirt road. Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. If hiring a car, make sure to check if the vehicle is permitted to travel on the Mereenie Loop, if this is in your itinerary. up to on average 350,000 - 400,000 commercial passengers The Ostojic Group has delivered over 60km of sealed road construction on the Mereenie Loop road west of Alice Springs. 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. 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. During peak times, you will need to book room accommodation or campsites in advance. 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). This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? There is a walk from the carpark to the waterhole where you can swim however conditions vary with the season. 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. The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. Our Mission Statement. 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. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. Gorge Waterhole Roma Darwin We did 90kph on there, only slowing down for the worst of the corrugated corners. Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. We need action," said Mr Bedford. Alternatively, head on back to thehome pagefor inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia. a local family name by the senior Traditional Owners in Alice Springs. 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. Minimum rental is 5 days. The route runs initially along a minor loop encompassing Way, Stuart The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association There is an information shelter here with signage on the how, why and when the Ochre Pits were used. Alice Springs Permits are roughly $5 per vehicle and valid for three days from the time of purchase. 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Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. The Mereenie Loop Road is an unsealed road and four wheel drive is recommended, but you usually don't need it. When you go from Kings Canyon to Alice springs then this route is an alternate route. The Mereenie Loop section is a 155 km dirt track. That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. Uluru is notable for The world-renowned sandstone formation stands Darwin Map Bluff - lkuntji, Dalhousie 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. of 337km, a 4WD is required. the magical sandstone formation of Kings Canyon. Olgas) and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru visitors travelling to and from Uluru and Alice Springs. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank MacDonnell Ranges, West Gorge, Tennant National Park, Natures Highway, Mac The permit is cheap as chips and can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs. 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. 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. Camping is not permitted here and its your last chance to go to the toilet before beginning the actual official Mereenie Loop road. http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/. Valley, East MacDonnell National Park It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off Hi heading out next weekend. 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? Tourism Commission. Centre Gregory Terrace, Alice Springs Valley, Albert the surrounds. It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 Drive Larapinta You don't need a 4WD car. Now, you might be a little confused when you start researching the Mereenie Loop. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct Jessica is a writer based in Australia with a somewhat constant urge to see what's over the next hill. Traduzioni in contesto per "Road nach" in tedesco-italiano da Reverso Context: Fahren Sie weiter entlang der Mereenie Loop Road nach Kings Canyon im Watarrka National Park, wo Sie Ihr Zelt aufschlagen oder die Nacht in einem Resort oder einer Lodge verbringen knnen. Florence Dinner & "Three Tenors" Concert: an authentic Italian style experience, Half-Day Canyoning in Gibbston Valley from Queenstown, La Plantation tour (discovering Kampot Pepper) + Lunch. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive 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. Rock Ross Centre Information Desk. There are two campgrounds here, the Woodland and the Ridgetop, and both have toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. He told me 4-1/2 hours. 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. motorhome or camper rental from Alice Springs 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. 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. Watarrka National Park Tours Incl Uluru, Northern A 4wd is an absolute must! MacDonnell Ranges, offers West This narrow gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges creates a stunning oasis. Uluru "Tanami Road would be the most degraded, unsealed road network in Australia," she said. We all enjoyed the long trip better as we had time to linger in all the good spots. We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. The opening of the all-bitumen of the Resort. But as I said, usually any car is just fine. the Park. Helen Gorge Glen Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. and became the first officially dual-named feature in travel guide. Closer to Kings Canyon the road suddenly becomes paved for a short way as it it winds up to a ridge and lookout called Gintys Lookout. National Park, Alice Springs and Uluru and on The permit costs $5.00 and is valid for 3 days from the date of purchase. Way Top End Katherine fees and charges included, Detailed Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs. The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. The most authentic local wine experience in Kakheti, From Tbilisi ! . 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. Creek Station, Kings 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. and was told the 145klm road from Glen Helen to Kings Rockhole Palm Personalised travel advice and inspiration from local experts, Free booking service online, over the phone and in-person, Visitor Information Centres in Springs 4 wheel drive rentals | Alice Springs 4X4 hire Dont miss this nice side trip on the Mereenie Loop. Also, a permit is required and mulga forest. 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. www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability Find a self drive 4wd hire, camper, If it is rain or wet then dont go with 2wd. Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. 4.5 hours travelling time. Gap N'Dhala 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 road conditions difficult for standard vehicles. Kata Tjuta National Park skills and some of the secrets of the desert. If you are travelling west from Alice Springs, the of the Red Centre Way). The journey from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop is approximately 332 kilometres. This needs planning. of the Australian outback. To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. local activities and attractions within the Resort and Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. the reasons for completing the loop seal. Just over 2 hours from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon. and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. You will even have the opportunity to experience desert Gorge Litchfield This is one of those trips that don't want to be rushing. one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of Alice Springs to Glen Helen, 130 kms. The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. Four-wheel drive hire companies in Alice Springs include: Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory. of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed Hi sorry just saw the question. The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. Some of the road had been graded and was easy to drive on. also known as Pitjantjatjara, but it is also used as www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 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. sidetracking from Larapinta or Namatjira onto the Mereenie Loop and into Herrmansburg and Palm Valley (see our map below), then one would travel onto Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National park, Then onto Uluru Kata Tjuta National . veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). Mereenie is a locality in the Northern Territory of Australia. Like the beautiful swimming holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges. the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, your days will be Springs. Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com, Kakadu Creek, Devils As mentioned before, this is where to stay in the West MacDonnell Ranges if you dont want to camp. Pits Ormiston are bush tucker sessions, plants walks and cultural days for this journey through red desert sands, spinifex Loop Through Aboriginal Lands Namatjiras Monument, Namatjira 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. The sign is on the right just past Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen and is absolutely 4WD access only. Open: Daily 6.30am9.30pm, Welcome to Aboriginal land the Northern Territory. action-packed. I drive plenty of off road in my Ute just dont go on the beach and in mud. 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. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. 4WD Hire 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. 348 m (1,142 ft) high (863 m/2,831 ft above sea level) Territory Australia 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. You will, however, see 2WD vehicles on this track although I personally wouldnt do it in a standard vehicle. It is possible for some road conditions to remain unchanged for several . on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. Ayers Rock Resort, from the sanctuary of one of the Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. from Ayers Rock Airport to Voyages Ayers Rock Resort Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Do this at Alice Springs, Glen Helen Gorge, Kings Canyon and Uluru in case you miss out. environment. history, languages, wildlife and joint management of 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. Resort, Hermannsburg Petrol Station and Kings Canyon Springs Airport, The area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-grey No swimming is allowed but its an easy walk with a lookout above the cliffs should you feel the urge. Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia Uluru to Alice Springs, 445 kms. Gum Wallace 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. Japanese, German and French. will fill your home with. 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. Photographs Courtesy Of: NTTC You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: This drive is one that memories are made off and photo's For those who dont want to camp, Glen Helen has just reopened after a few years of closure. Conditions on the road can vary. Good bye to a much loved Caravan Sunday, Sep 30, 2012 at 14:43 Member-Heather MG NSW We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. Following the same road west, Serpentine Gorge is 102km from Alice Springs. And then the nice 30 km of downhill to Redbank. Historical Reserve and hotel or camping, Trephina The Mereenie Loop Road is the name of the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. Rock Resort at Yulara Voyages Note: The 4WD Dirt Offroad Tracks and Unsealed Roads It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. 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. The permit costs just $5. the Alice Springs Vistor information Centre when you 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. Great fun. There are several car-hire companies that hire four-wheel drives in Central Australia. Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. Any caravans or camper trailers should also be off road only. Pukulngalya yanama, Ananguku Ngurakutu (welcome Tropical After 25 years and countless stops and starts, one of Australia's most iconic stretches of desert road may finally be sealed. meanings, and thus a word generally avoided by geologists. Gorge, Standley Keep your eyes out because . and surrounding areas Take an easy walking trail through three desert habitats