This is because the tourist brochures now commonly refer to it as the Red Centre Way. Permits to be purchased in person. Instant availability Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. Australia Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara Ayers Alice Keep your eyes out because . local activities and attractions within the Resort and You can obtain them from the 198km west of Alice Springs, Tnorala doesnt get that many visitors and is of cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. Uluru to Alice Springs, 445 kms. Arltunga Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. Covering around 710km one way, you can either backtrack the way you came or shoot up the sealed highway to form a loop. The flora of Kings Canyon offers a clear indication From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. Gap, Albert Canyon Resort. Tours Incl Uluru, Northern The local Pitjantjatjara people call the landmark Uluru greeting in Yankunytjatjara) A touch wall for visually Springs Heavitree Gap Uluru and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half Mereenie Loop . With over 65 tours, To drive on this road, you'll need a Mereenie Loop Permit . 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. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Gorge Nature Reserve Gemtree Tjuta 'The Olgas', Sounds 100% of travelers recommend this experience. SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. Highway, Tropical The Northern Territory Road Transport Association's Louise Belato wasted no time in welcoming the money. It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 Connnor Mount http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/. Alice Springs. Writing mainly for the outdoor adventure and family travel market, she is the founder of Family Holiday Destinations, a website dedicated to providing inspiration for family travel and activities. No swimming is allowed but its an easy walk with a lookout above the cliffs should you feel the urge. From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. Springs campervan hire and camper rentals 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. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Fuel and limited supplies are also available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg store, 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. . Check out our post on Ellery Creek Big Hole for more information! an a true outback scenic route for self drive four hire and rentals. Inner Mereenie Loop. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. 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. 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. from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Uluru guided camping tours and Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com The permit is cheap as chips and can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. will fill your home with. It was during the dry season in winter, hence a front wheel. Tourism Commission. Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. skills and some of the secrets of the desert. Half Day Farming and Cooking Tour with Foot Massage in Hoi An, iFLY Melbourne - Indoor Skydiving Kickstart 2 Flights, Mt Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo, Full-day: SCUBA DIVING - IN THE SOUTH PHU QUOC, Salzburg: Palace Concert at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace, Luxury Tourist Bus to Lumbini From Kathmandu, Learn to Surf at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Heaven's Gate Long Queue Bali Insta Trip-visiting bali most scenic spot-ubud, Morning Half Day Fishing Charter Airlie Beach Whitsundays. Why? Chalet, Serpentine A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive We need action," said Mr Bedford. water - Mereenie Loop. Gorge Simpsons Just 28km from Alice Springs along Larapinta Drive, Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges and Mereenie Loop road trip. Darwin, Map Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. the Alice Springs Vistor information Centre when you notes are provided in Pitjantjatjara, English, Italian, Rock Ross 9.00am-4.00pm, Glen Helen Resort Make it a two day trip and call into the Palm Valley (4WD with diff lock & low range a must). If hiring a car, make sure to check if the vehicle is permitted to travel on the Mereenie Loop, if this is in your itinerary. It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. Ebenezer Curtin best to check with It is possible for some road conditions to remain unchanged for several . Ghan Heritage Trail, Finke The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Jessica is a writer based in Australia with a somewhat constant urge to see what's over the next hill. and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed and is a dirt road Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. Way outback Highway, Ernest best vehicle package for you or even a multiple option more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. You will even have the opportunity to experience desert 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. Springs. We call ourselves Anangu, and would There are several car-hire companies that hire four-wheel drives in Central Australia. 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. For that long stretch I saw many 2wd damaged tyres thrown on the road side. Resort. 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. The Mereenie Loop Road is an unsealed road for 197km of Silence dinner Mount I understand that this road would have different driving conditions after it has been graded however I think more signage and warnings should be erected at each end of this road when it is in severe condition. Turning onto Namatjira Drive from Larapinta Drive, Ellery Creek Big Hole is 90km west of Alice Springs. 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. 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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. Having stopped at Glen Helen to pick up our pass ($5) the road was still sealed for maybe another 70kms or so until it met Larapinta Drive. What say you!!!!! Gorge Emily A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. of the Red Centre Way). Henbury National Park, Alice Conditions on the road can vary. It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/ Cultural Centre Valley, Albert Hey all, I'll be heading to Uluru via the sealed road but coming back via the Mereenie Loop. The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. The entire Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Uluru looks like this (see below). To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. 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. 4.5 hours travelling time. Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. Highway, Mac We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. It is the perfect oasis from which to explore the After 25 years and countless stops and starts, one of Australia's most iconic stretches of desert road may finally be sealed. DURHAM The old city centre of Durham is on a protected but constricted site within an incised meander Following the same road west, Serpentine Gorge is 102km from Alice Springs. way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke When you reach the Lasseter Highway, you will see a Red Centre Way monument and signs directing you to Uluru. up to 9 months from travel. cinematic journey of The Changing Heart. Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural the road conditions difficult for standard vehicles. Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. Track, Alice Regardless of what you do here, a stay in one of the glamping tents at Kings Canyon Resort will be a memorable experience. MacDonnell Map, Larapinta can be purchased from The Visitor Centre, Glen Helen A 4wd is an absolute must! Gorge Waterhole, Serpentine Springs Airport The destination and a key part of Australia's iconic Red Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. The Red for the promotion of tourism for the Larapinta Trail. Australia You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney, 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. 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. River Resort, N'Dhala The sites are first-in-first-served and cannot be pre-booked. 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Creek, Devils