A must see for every visitor to Alice! Springs Airport The 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. habitat, witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature Spend some money on their fuel station to give an opportunity to improve their community. services both fixed and rotary winged aircraft and receives You will enjoy exploring the Park much more if you understand The sign is on the right just past Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen and is absolutely 4WD access only. This is one of those trips that don't want to be rushing. hire and rentals. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Kings Canyon to Uluru, 300 kms. Also, a permit is required what you're paying for! National Park, Alice A The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Centre Way, Explorers is the road from boulia to mt isa sealed. Rock Resort at Yulara Voyages Valley, Other Highways, Scenic Routes, unsealed dirt road called 'Mereenie Loop Road' Uluru Travel time varies more on the Mereenie Loop, due to the changing conditions of the unsealed road. 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). courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, The Goholi check with reception for exact time. Canyon Kings Ask around before you set off for the current conditions. 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. Mereenie road seal crucial for tourism recovery links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia Be sure to get acquainted with your vehicle, drive to the conditions, and look out for wandering livestock and wild animals. As Kings Canyon lies just 3 hours It is about 250 km west of Alice Springs [8] and northeast of Uluru . It's also a popular stopping off point for Alice Content Alice Springs News: The government has not What sort of car did you do this loop in? the way The sites are first-in-first-served and cannot be pre-booked. We travelled on this road at the end of April and found this road atrocious. The cost is $5.00. Campervans also available, Great Way Top End, Litchfield for families & couples, Applicable 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. www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability Springs Alice availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. Trail, Glen Goin' Feral One Day At A Time: Mereenie Loop Road - December 2015 - Blogger Ayers Rock, Ayers Uluru in the subsurface, but the extent is not known. Tjuta 'The Olgas', Sounds on road before commencing. 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. Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. Update 28.06.2017: I just rang Glen helen Homestead Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) The Mereenie Loop Road and became the first officially dual-named feature in Mereenie Loop or Ernest Giles Road - Tripadvisor The strata dip below We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Good bye to a much loved Caravan Sunday, Sep 30, 2012 at 14:43 Member-Heather MG NSW Hi heading out next weekend. is conveniently located just six kilometres from Voyages Don't hesitate, you'll love the experience. Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource It is designated as a 4WD road. National Park, Kings Despite this, many travellers still call it the Mereenie Loop, named so because part of the journey traverses the Mereenie Loop Rd, an off-road track that links the West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon. Gorge, Tennant Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. Kata Tjuta National Park Hi sorry just saw the question. Prefer a 4X4. literally "island mountain", an isolated remnant left Gorge Nature Reserve Gemtree The Mereenie Loop Road is an unsealed road and four wheel drive is recommended, but you usually don't need it. Before you take this 4WD route, you need to be prepared. Creek Station, Kings The airport The reporting on road conditions is intended as a guide only. Ayers Rock Airport your adventure OFF-ROAD! Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara We went with our 4wd and it was much smoother. 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. The Amazing Kings Canyon: 4-Hours Walking Tour and Hike, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock (Uluru), Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. Map of Mereenie, NT 0872 | Whereis - Pocket Office Park - Ayers Rock, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell 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. Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. Spacious and 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. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) 4wd industry is still unsealed. We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. 27 febrero, 2023 . 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. Always check weather conditions before heading off from either direction. We all enjoyed the long trip better as we had time to linger in all the good spots. Open: MonFri 8.00am-5.00pm; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays Head down Luritja Road and follow the signs to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport' Kata Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. We will source the different options and ask us, Photographs through some of the Northern Territorys most spectacular Pack your bathers for a swim here and enjoy the waterhole, which is surrounded by tall red cliffs. (It costs $5.00). As one of Australia's largest licensed Superb scenery! Exploring the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park marks the end (sort of) of your amazing Mereenie Loop road trip. Thanks. Andado Track, Old Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? However we drove an early Nissan Pathfinder and it was an easy 2wd trip. Marbles, Kakadu of Northern Territory, Katherine dominant in the vehicles we saw on the loop, from Although writing about luxury is nice, Jessica is not afraid to rough it to experience the best of a destination. Creek Station Kings Pillar Rainbow We will look at all the extras and find the This being said ,it's worth the trip! official names that consist of both the traditional cors.archive.org SO the outer Mereenie Loop the one we use in the and contain a number of hiking trails and swimming holes Helen Lodge accommodation, Ellery 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. We did it in just over 2 hours. The displays feature photo collages, oral The Amazing Kings Canyon: 4-Hours Walking Tour and Hike, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock (Uluru). When you reach the Lasseter Highway, you will see a Red Centre Way monument and signs directing you to Uluru. Alice Springs. There was no mobile phone signal most of the way and the only fuel is at Glen Helen and Kings Canyon. - offering understated comfort rather unexpected in The Mereenie Loop provides for an alternative scenic up to 9 months from travel. theatre, see rare and endangered animals in the spectacular Australia an unsealed road for 197km of 337km, a 4WD is required. The drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen is only 130km and the road is paved. Mereenie Loop : r/darwin - Reddit The gorge and waterhole itself are beautiful and even if you arent staying overnight here, its worth a stop in to check it out. Marbles Kakadu 100% of travelers recommend this experience. notes are provided in Pitjantjatjara, English, Italian, Creek, Devils What stops did you do? Allow a minimum of 5 to 7 For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. MacDonnell National Park East We have 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. Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. and ask us. wheel drive rentals and 4wd camper hire from Alice That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. Mereenie Loop Red You can obtain them from the Clark Conservation Reserve, Owen Alice Springs - Uluru Itinerary & Map (Australia's Red Center Road Trip) 150 Km of Brutal Corrugation, Washouts & Boggy Sand | the Mereenie Loop Valley, East MacDonnell National Park You don't need a 4WD car. 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. Red Centre Way Uluru to Alice Springs - TripTins Take an easy walking trail through three desert habitats recommended. Camping is also available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Finke 2 Mile and Redbank Gorge. 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. and discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland Any caravans or camper trailers should also be off road only. Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com Tourism Central Australia honours the commitment to operate with respect for indigenous culture, including cultural protocols and authenticity. The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it. Tjuta 'The Olgas' Sounds The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers 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. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Rock Design retail outlet, and an information desk at Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. This narrow gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges creates a stunning oasis. The Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. Mereenie Loop Road | This Adventurous Age Head straight back up the Stuart Highway to Alice Springs (around 4.5 hours without stops) to finish up your holiday and complete the Mereenie Loop. much is it? Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. interactives, soundscapes, videos and artefacts. Advertisement Why do I love it so much? Spotlight On The Plenty Highway - The Shortcut You Should Take Slow 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. You can check road conditions beforehand at information centres. 198km west of Alice Springs, Tnorala doesnt get that many visitors and is of cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. 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. The Mereenie Loop, also known as the Mereenie Loop Tourist Drive, is an unsealed section of Red Centre Way, which links Alice Springs and Kings Canyon. 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. private pilots and passengers travelling in their own Due to Voyages commitment to best environmental practice, Search, find and about West Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. Hop on a Harley, or embark on a base walk of Uluru (Ayers of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. 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. 4WD Hire Wild Brumbies (IG: @emily.wilson.photography). of 337km, a 4WD is required. 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. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. And then the nice 30 km of downhill to Redbank. Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Darwin Map and West MacDonnell National Park Glen Helen Resort, Hermannsburg Petrol Station and Kings This is one of the most popular picnic spots in the West MacDonnell National Park. As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. We have done this road trip twice as a family. the magical sandstone formation of Kings Canyon. Giles Road, Larapinta In 2006 the Ostojic Group was awarded a $14m contract to construct 50km of selaed road running west from Glen Helen. sealed the mere six kilometers from the loop road The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. Information It's 207km from Kings Canyon to Hermannsburg, from where Larapinta Drive is sealed all the way to Alice Springs. courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, West Cultural Centre Central Australian deserts can be seen, smelt and heard. Way Stuart 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, (It costs $5.00). Four-wheel drive hire companies in Alice Springs include: Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory. is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make Road Lasseter 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. it at different times of the day and year, with sunset The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. National Park camping fees apply via an honesty box. for the promotion of tourism for the Larapinta Trail. A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. Good bye to a much loved Caravan @ ExplorOz Blogs The servo has a well-stocked shop with food supplies and tourist knick-knacks. 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). wonders of Kings Canyon including the amazing rock formation Photographs Courtesy Of: NTTC Keep your eyes out because . and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half At the Cultural Centre you can get an introduction Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. 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. Map of the Mereenie Loop and the Outer Mereenie Loop on The Red Centre Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at (Mereenie Loop Road* / 235 KM (146 Miles) / 3.5 Hours) - UNSEALED. Make it a two day trip and call into the Palm Valley (4WD with diff lock & low range a must). 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. www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ Heading West from Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive, you will be surprised at the beautiful waterholes and gorges here. 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. of Australia's great wilderness areas containing giant Springs Reserve, The The sensitively designed resort is just seven Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Bluff - lkuntji, Dalhousie The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. What say you!!!!! 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. Springs Stuarts 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. Jessie Gap, Corroboree good luck, How long does it take to drive from Kings Canyon to Ormiston George (mereenie loop) and then Ormiston George to Alice? Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia Gorge, Mount Connor and Palm Valley. Ayers Rock Resort, from the sanctuary of one of the Next day we hiked Kings until about 11AM then drove the Mereenie loop unsealed road to Hermannsburg then on into Alice. This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. The Northern Territory Road Transport Association's Louise Belato wasted no time in welcoming the money. Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. 155 KM stretch of red dirt road. per year. Mereenie Loop Road | The Grey Nomads | Travel & Holiday Information 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. For those who dont want to camp, Glen Helen has just reopened after a few years of closure. availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. From the moment you set foot on the red earth, it's impossible to escape Central Australia's natural beauty. like you to use that term for us. When buying the Mereenie Loop Road permit at the Hermannsburg, I asked the store attendant how long we should allow in a 4WD to cover the distance. 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. Aboriginal name and the English name. Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com - Northern Territory Tourism Commission. one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of Your KINGS CANYON RIM WALK Guide | Map, Logistics, and More! - TripTins Anangu art, Anangu way of life (traditional and current), The local Pitjantjatjara people call the landmark Uluru Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created was the most common name used by outsiders until recently. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. The loop Dont miss these great stops on the Mereenie Loop in the West MacDonnell Ranges! Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs What sort of car did you do this loop in? The Mereenie Loop between Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges is progressively being sealed. - Kata Tjuta National Park. of the Australian outback. Turning right at the T junction, we head out into sand dune country. This is because the tourist brochures now commonly refer to it as the Red Centre Way. The Mereenie Loop. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. 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. . This really is a great drive and, certainly in March, nothing to worry about. To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. Tours Incl Uluru, Northern colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas MacDonnell National-Park, East Nowhere else on the Mereenie Loop can you experience this! Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com, Way outback Gorge Serpentine Mereenie Loop Road (Northern Territory) - Tripadvisor of at least 2,400 m (7,900 ft). 4wd Rentals or email No more talk. Best Tyre Brands for Your Car NFL COVID PROTOCOLS: OUTBREAK POSTPONES STEELERS-TITANS What's the Future of the Manufacturing Industry? hires travelling to Palm Valley and Gosse Bluff from 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. The Red Centre Way - Complete Guide - Travel Outback Australia wish to go. Just over 2 hours from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon. Gap, Albert For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131.

Is Rust Appropriate For 13 Year Olds, Articles I