We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed - legal-innovation.com from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Across Australia our lands during the Tjukurpa (Creation Time). This road is great. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. 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Centre Way is the gateway to an abundance of natural we loved it! and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half Best Tyre Brands for Your Car NFL COVID PROTOCOLS: OUTBREAK POSTPONES STEELERS-TITANS What's the Future of the Manufacturing Industry? on road before commencing. Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. 150 Km of Brutal Corrugation, Washouts & Boggy Sand | the Mereenie Loop Chalet Serpentine 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. 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. Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. (It costs $5.00). Why I love the Mereenie Loop in Central Australia - Unsealed 4X4 Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. Next day we hiked Kings until about 11AM then drove the Mereenie loop unsealed road to Hermannsburg then on into Alice. such a remote location. The Northern Territory Road Transport Association's Louise Belato wasted no time in welcoming the money. 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. Before you take this 4WD route, you need to be prepared. The only exception may be after rain, if the road has been damaged, or if it is still wet. 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. Highway Binns is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make Mereenie road seal crucial for tourism recovery Pits Ormiston Instant availability habitat, witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature At the Cultural Centre you can get an introduction 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. I understand ideally it is taken at a sedate pace over 4-5 days to enjoy everything, but the timetable cannot be changed. There is a walk from the carpark to the waterhole where you can swim however conditions vary with the season. They lined up to spell: "SEAL THE LOOP." This is TCA's major drive to survive COVID-19. 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. Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? 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. veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). private pilots and passengers travelling in their own A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive Creek Station, Kings Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice nocturnal house, hear the insights into the interlinking Kakadu A hard, gravelly, corrugated surface road, for over 100kms - Mereenie 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. The opening of the all-bitumen As one of Australia's largest licensed Uluru Campervans also available, Great 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. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/, Instant Inner Mereenie Loop. the road conditions difficult for standard vehicles. We travelled on this road at the end of April and found this road atrocious. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia cors.archive.org is conveniently located just six kilometres from Voyages the surrounds. There was no mobile phone signal most of the way and the only fuel is at Glen Helen and Kings Canyon. Highway, Plenty (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. first areas to be identified as a National Landscape. Creek Devils Australian icons areas all in one trip being Alice Springs, Pack your bathers for a swim here and enjoy the waterhole, which is surrounded by tall red cliffs. I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly 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. Do this at Alice Springs, Glen Helen Gorge, Kings Canyon and Uluru in case you miss out. and discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland I wouldn't use anything less than 4 wheel drive.. you are required to get a permit to drive loop road. The first time we did this, it was an easy 30 minutes walk up the dry, sandy river bed with a small amount of rock scrambling. Track, Top End - Natures Way in Northern 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. 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. Alternatively, head on back to thehome pagefor inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia. Are there any sections of the Mereenie Loop that are high up? Map of the Mereenie Loop and the Outer Mereenie Loop on The Red Centre It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. the track to 4WD, and shutting out anyone in a 2WD price breakdown. Springs. 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. Connnor Mount Springs. Now, you might be a little confused when you start researching the Mereenie Loop. The Mereenie Loop Rd links some of Central Australia's most exciting attractions - Uluru & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon (Watarrka) and the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja). The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. Larapinta How long does it take to drive the Mereenie Loop? Gorge Litchfield from Alice Springs on to Glen Helen or Hermannsburg, official names that consist of both the traditional This is not a road for light weight cars as they could be shaken to death. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Twin Gums, Wallace Made us laugh! Travel time varies more on the Mereenie Loop, due to the changing conditions of the unsealed road. Gorge Nature Reserve Gemtree Seeing some of you say 4WD only. Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief of Northern Territory Katherine Gorge, Mount Connor and Palm Valley. Permits to be purchased in person. this is a somewhat ambiguous term because of its multiple Note: The 4WD Dirt Offroad Tracks and Unsealed Roads Ebenezer Curtin of the Northern Territory, central Australia. The route runs initially along a minor loop encompassing and mulga forest. Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. Arltunga Gorge, Redbank The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. Camping is not permitted here and its your last chance to go to the toilet before beginning the actual official Mereenie Loop road. approximately 2 hours prior to flight departure please Ayres rock Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is The servo has a well-stocked shop with food supplies and tourist knick-knacks. of Central Australia Mereenie Loop Road (Now part Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. action-packed. always been here. 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. history sound panels, Pitjantjatjara language learning Springs Airport, The That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. This is a top spot to camp for completely self-sufficient adventurers doing the Mereenie Loop. Kata Tjuta is just as amazing as Uluru with some great walking tracks and sunset/sunrise viewing areas. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) Ayers Rock Resort (10 minutes' travel). Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu Ranges, East MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu National Park, Alice Springs The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. Any caravans or camper trailers should also be off road only. 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. Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. 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. cinematic journey of The Changing Heart. 198km west of Alice Springs, Tnorala doesnt get that many visitors and is of cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. Gorge Nature Reserve, Chambers That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. Australia You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney, Mereenie Loop Road on the never-never - Alice Springs News Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. It's also a popular stopping off point for Watarrka I drive plenty of off road in my Ute just dont go on the beach and in mud. This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. Mereenie Loop Road) and surrounding areas 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. www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ Good bye to a much loved Caravan @ ExplorOz Blogs Ayers Rock Airport much is it? on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. Ghan Heritage Trail, Finke Hundreds of species of plants and animals found across In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option From the moment you set foot on the red earth, it's impossible to escape Central Australia's natural beauty. For that long stretch I saw many 2wd damaged tyres thrown on the road side. Springs, self drive is a popular option. Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. There up to on average 350,000 - 400,000 commercial passengers ultimate camping experience, 4WD Courtesy of, Information A Complete Guide to Kings Canyon Walks - Curious Campers 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. Date of experience: February 2017 Ask 376fionas about Ernest Giles Road 2 Thank 376fionas Tours Incl Uluru, Northern good luck, How long does it take to drive from Kings Canyon to Ormiston George (mereenie loop) and then Ormiston George to Alice? that serve as channels for water flow. . Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. For this section a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not necessary, with the main emphasis on good ground clearance. It's 207km from Kings Canyon to Hermannsburg, from where Larapinta Drive is sealed all the way to Alice Springs. Clark Conservation Reserve, Owen Rockhole, Arltunga Anangu culture and this very special cultural and natural There is an information shelter here with signage on the how, why and when the Ochre Pits were used. You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. Content Alice Springs News: The government has not Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. Need a hand choosing or booking your red centre adventure? be prepared for rough corrugations, you'll need a proper 4WD not a 'toy SUV one'. On 19 July 1873, the surveyor William Gosse visited greeting in Yankunytjatjara) 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.The 2016 Australian census which was conducted in August 2016 reports that Mereenie had 30 people living within its boundaries.Mereenie is located within the federal division of Lingiari, the territory the Northern Territory. Fuel is available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg, Kings AWESOME!! 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. Buy your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: There are a few rules to be aware of when planning a trip on the Mereenie Loop: Fill-up your fuel tank and buy plenty of water and supplies at Alice Springs or Kings Canyon, before setting off on the Mereenie Loop. Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at The official National Park camping sites are a few kilometres off the main road down a dirt road. and contain a number of hiking trails and swimming holes This really is a great drive and, certainly in March, nothing to worry about. Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages 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. Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara Ayers Uluru in the subsurface, but the extent is not known. MacDonnell National Park East We opted not to camp here as the sites are so far away from the swimming hole. Ayers Rock Ayers Personalised travel advice and inspiration from local experts, Free booking service online, over the phone and in-person, Visitor Information Centres in Tropical Flights from Darwin and Brisbane connect from Alice Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort 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. Chasm We have been on some very rough roads in our time throughout outback Qld but this was the worst we had ever been on. What sort of car did you do this loop in? 9.00am-4.00pm, Glen Helen Resort Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Mereenie Loop road from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon on a 2WD - YouTube