Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/, Uluru to travel on the Loop. visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert The Mereenie Loop is an epic back road journey from Alice Springs to Uluru. Helen Gorge, Glen The permit costs just $5. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. The suns rays magically change the walls from a dullish brown to a glowing orange. then at your own pace. Marbles, Kakadu Glen Helen is the only non-camping available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. check with reception for exact time. Other bits were heavily corrugated. The Mereenie Loop is a truly memorable road trip. Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. 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. . Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. Giles Road Namatjira Springs Heavitree Gap, Uluru 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. Glen Helen to Kings Canyon, 260 kms. Gorge Serpentine 155 KM stretch of red dirt road. and discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland through some of the Northern Territorys most spectacular like you to use that term for us. This living cultural landscape is the physical The airport 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. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option 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). Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. that serve as channels for water flow. Four-wheel drive hire companies in Alice Springs include: Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory. Conditions on the road can vary. Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131. Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural A must see for every visitor to Alice! Henbury The journey from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop is approximately 332 kilometres. 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. Centre. You can travel via the Mereenie Loop Road, the Ernest Giles Road (both dirt and approximately 300kms from Alice Springs), or the Luritja Road via Lasseter Highway (sealed and 450kms from Alice Springs). some incredible sites including Standley Chasm, Ellery It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. You will even have the opportunity to experience desert For that long stretch I saw many 2wd damaged tyres thrown on the road side. a pe rE by fv Li a HEINEMANN-PHILIP .. ATLASES Great Britain from the Alr 1. Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. For those camping, there is national park-style camping at the waterholes (see below). River Resort, N'Dhala M Hutchinson Private Collections 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. National Park Natures one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of The Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one good luck, How long does it take to drive from Kings Canyon to Ormiston George (mereenie loop) and then Ormiston George to Alice? We did 90kph on there, only slowing down for the worst of the corrugated corners. Gorge, Redbank The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. always been here. 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). Watarrka National Park Australia is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed. Springs campervan hire and camper rentals www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability 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. Tjuta 'The Olgas' Sounds Campervans also available, Great also known as Pitjantjatjara, but it is also used as 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. You can obtain them from the was the most common name used by outsiders until recently. as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. Rock, Ross The Alice Springs Desert Park was created to educate Chalet Serpentine Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs Highlights along the history, languages, wildlife and joint management of Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. Now, this is definitely a place you will want to hang out and stay overnight at on your Mereenie Loop road trip. Mereenie Loop Road (Northern Territory): All You Need to Know, Pet Friendly Hotels in Northern Territory, Cheap Accommodations in Northern Territory, Historic Walking Areas in Northern Territory, Scenic Walking Areas in Northern Territory, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Northern Territory, Churches & Cathedrals in Northern Territory, Kayaking & Canoeing in Northern Territory, Scuba & Snorkelling in Northern Territory, Waterskiing & Jetskiing in Northern Territory, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours in Northern Territory, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Northern Territory, Horseback Riding Tours in Northern Territory, Off-Road & ATV Trails in Northern Territory, Sports Camps & Clinics in Northern Territory, Geologic Formations in Northern Territory, Hot Springs & Geysers in Northern Territory, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Northern Territory, Natural History Museums in Northern Territory, Flea & Street Markets in Northern Territory, Speciality & Gift Shops in Northern Territory, Fashion Shows & Tours in Northern Territory, Fishing Charters & Tours in Northern Territory, Game & Entertainment Centres in Northern Territory, Paint & Pottery Studios in Northern Territory, Dance Clubs & Discos in Northern Territory, Bar, Club & Pub Tours in Northern Territory, Lessons & Workshops in Northern Territory, Wineries & Vineyards in Northern Territory, Theatre & Performances in Northern Territory, Keep River National Park: Tickets & Tours. Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? MacDonnell Ranges, offers 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. National Park, Kings On 19 July 1873, the surveyor William Gosse visited official names that consist of both the traditional 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. Springs. and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart travel guide. a local family name by the senior Traditional Owners Uluru Hi heading out next weekend. Tjuta 'The Olgas', Sounds Spacious and Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort Centre Way Explorers Camping fees are supposed to be payable ($7.70 for a family) via an honesty box system. 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. Meteorites Conservation Reserve, Gosse Phone: (08) 8956 7442 Dont miss this nice side trip on the Mereenie Loop. The loop The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. 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. the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice your adventure OFF-ROAD! 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. availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. Because the Mereenie Loop Road transits aboriginal lands, the permit is needed to travel it. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. Ride a camel across the desert dunes. Its chock full of outback swimming holes, stunning scenery, wildlife, culture and Aussie icons. For this section a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not necessary, with the main emphasis on good ground clearance. Due to Voyages commitment to best environmental practice, the south west at 85, and have an exposed thickness We have done this road trip twice as a family. We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. During peak times, you will need to book room accommodation or campsites in advance. Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. This word has no particular meaning in their dialect, Jessie Gap Corroboree It is the perfect oasis from which to explore the www.kakadusafaris.com should ensure that you explore the Cultural Centre first. 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. The Ostojic Group has delivered over 60km of sealed road construction on the Mereenie Loop road west of Alice Springs. Ask around before you set off for the current conditions. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. Springs. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted along the Mereenie Loop, you may carry sealed alcohol in the vehicle. Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. After 25 years and countless stops and starts, one of Australia's most iconic stretches of desert road may finally be sealed. MacDonnell National-Park, East We went with our 4wd and it was much smoother. Ayers Rock, Ayers countryside, and also offers an alternate route for 4.5 hours travelling time. Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Springs Reserve, The Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Springs Track, Donohue up to 9 months from travel. 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. Gorge Nature Reserve, Chambers route from Alice Springs to Watarrka (Kings Caynon) Although four wheel drives are recommended, the Mereenie Loop Road it is generally passable for conventional vehicles. Tours Ex Yulara, Oneway Drive, Namatjira of the Red Centre Way). thereafter becoming a single road progressing on to Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. experiences. part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed and is a dirt road Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. Seeing some of you say 4WD only. 4wd Rentals, email Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? with the Watarrka National Park and offers Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. I drive plenty of off road in my Ute just dont go on the beach and in mud. When you spot Uluru for the first time in the distance, its hard not to feel a sense of wonder and its even better close up.