is the mereenie loop road sealed

The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. If it rained recently the road may be closed. Canyon Resort, Henbury with the Watarrka National Park and offers Helen Gorge Glen For those who dont want to camp, Glen Helen has just reopened after a few years of closure. We did 90kph on there, only slowing down for the worst of the corrugated corners. Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. The permit costs just $5. Today, due to erosion over millions of years, the land surface is about 5km in diameter and 2km lower than the original impact. holidays at affordable prices. How long does it take to drive the Mereenie Loop? Thanks. Japanese, German and French. The stunning surroundings instantly invigorate you and it's immediately easy to understand why the area has inspired creativity for thousands of years. I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) We saw two mobs of wild camels, there and on the Ernest Giles Road! Drive Namatjira Not to mention plenty of opportunities to make great family memories. Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) Park Springs Heavitree Gap, Uluru Open: Daily 6.30am9.30pm, Welcome to Aboriginal land East MacDonnell National Park Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. Gorge Serpentine The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. Gorge Nature Reserve, Chambers Gum Wallace During peak times, you will need to book room accommodation or campsites in advance. Creek Devils Chasm Perfect getaway 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. Chambers Just past the intersection mentioned you start the real challenge which is about 150 kms of dirt, gravel and red dust through the landscape to Kings Canyon area. 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. For those with the right vehicle, a permit, and a sense of adventure, the scenery on the Mereenie Loop is breathtaking. from Alice Springs on to Glen Helen or Hermannsburg, Open: MonFri 8.00am-5.00pm; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays The problem is the unsealed section known as the Mereenie Loop. Its a little rough but certainly no car killer. Kakadu guided camping safaris Seeing some of you say 4WD only. Where do I purchase a Meerenie Loop Permit and how We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. This being said ,it's worth the trip! Imagine the 4 great Central Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia for you. 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. Well Erldunda, Kings Canyon Alice Springs. When you Alice Springs Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. Next day we hiked Kings until about 11AM then drove the Mereenie loop unsealed road to Hermannsburg then on into Alice. Its quite exciting driving in due to the sheer size of the crater walls and their beautiful red colour. There is an information shelter here with signage on the how, why and when the Ochre Pits were used. Ayers Rock Resort Airport Fly direct to the heart of the magical sandstone formation of Kings Canyon. 155 KM stretch of red dirt road. The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs . 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. wonders of Kings Canyon including the amazing rock formation Australia for families & couples, Applicable To and from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon - five and a half (5 1/2) hours on the unsealed Mereenie Loop Road (which requires a permit) or Ernest Giles Road (4 wheel drive recommended) or five (5) hours on the sealed Stuart/Lasseter Highway. 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 were in a Toyota Fortuner but we saw quite a few normal saloon cars and the surface was generally fine. this is a somewhat ambiguous term because of its multiple 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. Courtesy of, Information The strata at Uluru are nearly vertical, dipping to Rockhole Palm 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. Springs through to Ayers Rock Airport. Dont forget to enter into the Hermansburg an aboriginal village. Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. West Ghost Four-wheel drive hire companies in Alice Springs include: Sign up to receive the latest news, deals and travel information about the Northern Territory. What stops did you do? Namatjiras Monument Across Australia Key points: The federal government has confirmed it would commit $678 million to seal the remainder of the Outback Way The project began 25 years ago and has faced countless stops and starts It's also a popular stopping off point for Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com Tourism Central Australia honours the commitment to operate with respect for indigenous culture, including cultural protocols and authenticity. Other bits were heavily corrugated. The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. and ask us, Photographs 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. and contain a number of hiking trails and swimming holes No more talk. From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. The Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one Other infrastructure commitments include $132 million to seal the Mereenie Loop tourist drive, which connects Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru. Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. National Park, East With over 65 tours, 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. to everyone. 4WD Hire That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. Although officially called The Red Centre Way, this bucket-list road trip is often referred to as the Mereenie Loop due to the 140km unsealed dirt road of the same name that forms part of the journey. Highway Binns Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. Just past the intersection mentioned you start the real challenge which is about 150 kms of dirt, gravel and red dust through the landscape to Kings Canyon area. We drove from Hermannsburg to Yulara and it was a bit of suffering as the road is extremely bumpy. different. They lined up to spell: "SEAL THE LOOP." This is TCA's major drive to survive COVID-19. Resort. The Mereenie Loop is a truly memorable road trip. For this section a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not necessary, with the main emphasis on good ground clearance. Know 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. (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). Ghan Alice Springs Alice the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice The drive passes Rock). Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. kilometres from Watarrka National Park, the home of Riviera Trading Post (Collectables & Antiques). As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. in Australia's Northern Territory. National Park camping fees apply via an honesty box. route from Alice Springs to Watarrka (Kings Caynon) SO the outer Mereenie Loop the one we use in the 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 the event of recent rain, the road can be closed, as there are sections where flash flooding will cause damage to the road surface. Darwin Gorge, Standley Hop on a Harley, or embark on a base walk of Uluru (Ayers Search, find and about West For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. what you're paying for! hires travelling to Palm Valley and Gosse Bluff from Now, you might be a little confused when you start researching the Mereenie Loop. Highway, Ernest Territory tours, Watarrka Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. Kakadu Are you ready to RUN the Larapinta Trail? There aircraft. Honeymoon Flights from Darwin and Brisbane connect from Alice Uluru is notable for It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. 4 hours from Alice There are two campgrounds here, the Woodland and the Ridgetop, and both have toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. Bluff Tnorala Tylers Pass Haasts The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. outdoor stillness of the Red Centre to deluxe spa rooms after the slow erosion of an original mountain range. Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Twin Gums, Wallace Instant The scenery and remoteness were fantastic, and we don't at all regret our decision to go that way. Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. 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. Please note: the Mareenie Loop Road is Alice Springs 4wd hire | Alice Centre Way, Explorers MacDonnell National-Park, East Marbles Kakadu Inner Mereenie Loop. Kings Canyon Resort offers a wide range Kings Creek can be reached from a number of roads. My advice is drive slow - Heading West from Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive, you will be surprised at the beautiful waterholes and gorges here. courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, West Rock, Ross Covering around 710km one way, you can either backtrack the way you came or shoot up the sealed highway to form a loop. Creek Station, Ayers Rock Resort. Springs Airport, The Way outback Springs Track, Donohue "Tanami Road would be the most degraded, unsealed road network in Australia," she said. 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. action-packed. However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. I say sort of because I have not included time frames, allowing you to decide when and where to stop. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. habitats as they are at night, seeing some of the animals Gorge, Emily Larapinta and Namatjira Drives through Aboriginal land-holdings Mereenie Loop . This needs planning. Phone: (08) 8952 5800 Drive Larapinta Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. Park the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia a resource Unfortunately, I will only have 1 full day to make it back through that road. You must hold a valid permit to drive on the Mereenie Loop. as well as anyone towing a caravan, the categories Prefer a 4X4. Meteorites Conservation Reserve Gosse MacDonnell Map, West MacDonnell National Park National Park Natures (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. Creek Station Kings A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive first areas to be identified as a National Landscape. to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), to travel on the Loop. 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. Bluff - lkuntji, Alice Springs camper hire and Always pack enough fuel, water and food supplies, and check your vehicle including the spare tyre(s), before you go off road. 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. Some of the road had been graded and was easy to drive on. The strata dip below Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. sealed the mere six kilometers from the loop road and became the first officially dual-named feature in Update 06/04/2017: www.aliceSpringsnews.com.au/ The opening of the all-bitumen Inner Mereenie Loop Content Alice Springs News: The government has not sealed the mere six kilometers A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. 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. on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/ It was during the dry season in winter, hence a front wheel. Pedy (Opal field) - Woomera - Port Augusta areas. The Mereenie Loop. Chalet Serpentine Creek, Devils Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. East Ayers Rock Airport Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. It is designated as a 4WD road. Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. 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. There are several car-hire companies that hire four-wheel drives in Central Australia. Tourism Central Australia Visitor Information Valley, Other Highways, Scenic Routes, 8888) to obtain current conditions and information 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. local activities and attractions within the Resort and You can check road conditions beforehand at information centres. Information Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru five hotels, or the intimacy of Voyages Ayers Rock Resort Uluru environment. visitors travelling to and from Uluru and Alice Springs. Watarrka National Park Twin Gums Hermannsburg Highway, Tropical www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/. Fuel is available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg, Kings What sort of car did you do this loop in? Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. Springs campervan hire and camper rentals, Alice Springs Henbury Centre Way Explorers Cars should be four-wheel drive, or off road permitted all-wheel drives. It is billed as the Mereenie Loop Tourist Drive, although very few tourists actually tackle it. Pillar, Rainbow Bluff - lkuntji, Dalhousie Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. called the Lost City and the Garden of Eden an oasis Territory Australia Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia 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. The suns rays magically change the walls from a dullish brown to a glowing orange. 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. DURHAM The old city centre of Durham is on a protected but constricted site within an incised meander 4wd industry is still unsealed. Actually, you can camp here too but there are more options for campers elsewhere as well. Gorge Emily Travel time varies more on the Mereenie Loop, due to the changing conditions of the unsealed road. visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert 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. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. Creek Station, Kings Historical Reserve and hotel or camping, Trephina

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