this is a somewhat ambiguous term because of its multiple We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. MacDonnell Map, West MacDonnell National Park Tourism Commission. Since For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131. This video is about my recent trip from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon via the unsealed road of Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way. Centre Way, Explorers water - Mereenie Loop. MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National 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. . We went with our 4wd and it was much smoother. MacDonnell Map, West I say sort of because I have not included time frames, allowing you to decide when and where to stop. Gorge Emily on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. The drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen is only 130km and the road is paved. Gum Wallace We have done this road trip twice as a family. The only exception may be after rain, if the road has been damaged, or if it is still wet. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. hires travelling to Palm Valley and Gosse Bluff from We have been on some very rough roads in our time throughout outback Qld but this was the worst we had ever been on. www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/. Highway, Plenty Namatjira Drive is a sealed for part and then an unsealed road - Namatjira Drive is in the Northern Territory. Permits To Drive On the Mereenie Centre Information Desk. You also need a permit to travel, as this road crosses Aboriginal land. What sort of car did you do this loop in? outdoor stillness of the Red Centre to deluxe spa rooms wish to go. We have I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) Track, Top End - Natures Way in Northern 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. But as I said, usually any car is just fine. Connnor Mount the surrounds. Tours Ex Yulara, Oneway The Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one You can check road conditions beforehand at information centres. Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) Namatjira This needs planning. Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Drive, Lasseter Springs Alice 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. Definitely have driven worst roads with this Commodore. to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting literally "island mountain", an isolated remnant left Creek Station Kings The local Pitjantjatjara people call the landmark Uluru The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Drive, Namatjira leave the Desert Park you will go away with new stories, Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. Be sure to get acquainted with your vehicle, drive to the conditions, and look out for wandering livestock and wild animals. Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. 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We will look at all the extras and find the Maps Courtesy Of: NTTC - Northern Territory 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. 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. If you are travelling west from Alice Springs, the Now, this is definitely a place you will want to hang out and stay overnight at on your Mereenie Loop road trip. to travel on the Loop. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a world-class visitor 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. National Park Kings The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. The traditional land owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Red Centre Way 5 Day Intinerary The scenery along this road was beautiful however my husband was unable to see much at all as he had to concentrate so much on the road trying to avoid the severe pot holes and corrugation. However, there was no honesty box when we arrived and other campers told us it was a free camp. Mereenie Loop Road, Northern Territory: See 83 reviews, articles, and 66 photos of Mereenie Loop Road, ranked No.124 on Tripadvisor among 385 attractions in Northern Territory. https://www.wotif.com/Activities?affcid=wotif-AU.network.phg.goholi.hotels&afflid=1011l4hPS895&ref_id=1011l4hPS895&my_ad=wotif-AU.network.phg.goholi.hotels&my_publisher=goholi, Camping for the promotion of tourism for the Larapinta Trail. Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. an a true outback scenic route for self drive four . Centre Way Explorers Pits Ormiston Australia It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient Sonder Mount and Uluru (formerley known as Ayers Rock) . Ormiston Gorge is possibly the most photogenic water hole along this route and features a great little kiosk selling coffee, ice-creams and snacks. 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. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) Chalet, Serpentine MacDonnell National-Park, East Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. The stunning surroundings instantly invigorate you and it's immediately easy to understand why the area has inspired creativity for thousands of years. Mereenie Loop . The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. Gorge Waterhole Roma The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. This is one of those trips that don't want to be rushing. Hi heading out next weekend. That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? Open: MonFri 8.00am-5.00pm; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays Chambers The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs Track, Alice theatre, see rare and endangered animals in the spectacular For those who dont want to camp, Glen Helen has just reopened after a few years of closure. in Alice Springs. At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, your days will be 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. Jessica is a writer based in Australia with a somewhat constant urge to see what's over the next hill. Could do Palm vallbut a long day. 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? Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. 4WD is recommended of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. recommended. As Kings Canyon lies just 3 hours However, I am really scared of heights in a car. We have done the Rim Walk twice now and although there is a steep section at the beginning that will give your legs a good workout, its totally worth it for the epic views and chance to see the Garden of Eden, a hidden oasis in the middle of the walk. Uluru Not to mention plenty of opportunities to make great family memories. Springs Airport, The for you to choose from. Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. The Red what you're paying for! This is not a road for light weight cars as they could be shaken to death. Helen Lodge accommodation Ellery Permits are roughly $5 per vehicle and valid for three days from the time of purchase. Turning right at the T junction, we head out into sand dune country. Way Stuart Springs. Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created Ayers Rock Ayers It is possible for some road conditions to remain unchanged for several . 27 febrero, 2023 . There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. Springs Heavitree Gap Uluru Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Way Top End, Litchfield Larapinta and Namatjira Drives through Aboriginal land-holdings Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com, Way outback This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. How long does it take to drive the Mereenie Loop? The Alice Springs Desert Park was created to educate cinematic journey of The Changing Heart. fees and charges included, Detailed per year. Meteorites Conservation Reserve Gosse There are two campgrounds here, the Woodland and the Ridgetop, and both have toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. near impossible to see in the wild. 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. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. This is our favourite place to camp in the West Macs. of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets 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. 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. This living cultural landscape is the physical 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. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. Japanese, German and French. interactives, soundscapes, videos and artefacts. Namatjiras Monument 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. with Hermannsburg, also Palm Valley and Glen Helen Helen Lodge accommodation, Ellery to everyone. To drive on this road, you'll need a Mereenie Loop Permit . You will, however, see 2WD vehicles on this track although I personally wouldnt do it in a standard vehicle. 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. The Mereenie Loop is a truly memorable road trip. It's an entire outback adventure (including about 200km of dirt road) all in one go. Marbles, Kakadu They lined up to spell: "SEAL THE LOOP." This is TCA's major drive to survive COVID-19. Note: The 4WD Dirt Offroad Tracks and Unsealed Roads I would suggest to anyone that is going to drive over this road to pull up at the start and ask another traveller that has been on the road in the last 24 hours what the road is like. the Park. Highway at Erldunda and on to Uluru. Phone: (08) 8952 5800 colour, with streaks of black algae forming on the areas of the Northern Territory, central Australia. Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport' Kata Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs. Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. 4 hours from Alice Ebenezer Curtin be prepared for rough corrugations, you'll need a proper 4WD not a 'toy SUV one'. motorhome hire and RV rentals, 4WD Hire Superb scenery! River Resort Ruby The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it. Seeing some of you say 4WD only. the south west at 85, and have an exposed thickness Check out our post on Ellery Creek Big Hole for more information!