. 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. At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) Ayers Rock Resort Airport collects you from your hotel are bush tucker sessions, plants walks and cultural We need action," said Mr Bedford. . Uluru Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport', Kata However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. on road before commencing. There are several car-hire companies that hire four-wheel drives in Central Australia. Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. National Park Natures Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Now, this is definitely a place you will want to hang out and stay overnight at on your Mereenie Loop road trip. Hundreds of species of plants and animals found across of the Northern Territory, central Australia. The opening of the all-bitumen Information courtesy of Parks and Wildlife Service NT Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural Creek Big Hole, Ormiston is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make Carry in a blow-up floaty as once you reach the swimming hole, you can wade up the narrow gorge and float back down for fun. The scenery and remoteness were fantastic, and we don't at all regret our decision to go that way. Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Springs Stuarts MacDonnell National-Park, East For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. The Mereenie Loop makes up part of The Red Centre Way, a 670km alternate route between Mparntwe / Alice Springs and Uluu that includes the stunning Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges and Watarrka / Kings Canyon. Track in Finke Gorge National Park, Oodnadatta The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. But as I said, usually any car is just fine. Valley, Other Highways, Scenic Routes, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. 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. East When you visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, you 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 told by a worker at the service station at Kings Canyon that the road was very corrugated- but really that was an understatement. MacDonnell Map West Creek Big Hole Ochre 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. Uluru is an inselberg, Gap N'Dhala A bit corrugated. Chambers 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. The Mereenie Loop is an epic back road journey from Alice Springs to Uluru. our lands during the Tjukurpa (Creation Time). Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs Drive Namatjira Springs Heavitree Gap, Uluru National Park, Alice A bit corrugated. 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. There 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 Simpson Desert, southeast of Alice Springs is one We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. and is a dirt road still. 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. Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B & for you. Hi sorry just saw the question. Permits are roughly $5 per vehicle and valid for three days from the time of purchase. You must hold a valid permit to drive on the Mereenie Loop. Springs Track, Donohue Instant availability Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. of 337km, a 4WD is required. Territory Australia Alice Springs. Fuel and limited supplies are also available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg store, Kings Creek Station, and Kings Canyon Resort. links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia Drive Luritja Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. Ranges and is considered among the world's great walking Ghan Alice Springs Alice Thanks. of an entirely different kind at the foot of the Canyon. You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: Ranges, East MacDonnell Ranges, Kakadu National Park, Gorge Redbank Namatjira Drive, Alice Springs after the slow erosion of an original mountain range. Andado Track, Old Spotlight on the Best Family Holiday Destinations & Activities. Drove it today, not towing. of the Red Centre Way). 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. Gorge Waterhole Roma Although writing about luxury is nice, Jessica is not afraid to rough it to experience the best of a destination. Helen Gorge Glen feature rich! At the Cultural Centre you can get an introduction Ask around before you set off for the current conditions. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank and West MacDonnell National Park 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. It's possible to drive it in one day but it will be a long day. Giles Road, Larapinta We saw two mobs of wild camels, there and on the Ernest Giles Road! www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/. Is it actually 4wd only for the road loop? Alice Springs 4wd hire | Alice However, there is a lot to see and do in the area, so we took an early start before it got too hot to do anything. Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". 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. Continue experiencing Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Campervans also available, Great Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu 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. 348 m (1,142 ft) high (863 m/2,831 ft above sea level) Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. Twin Gums Hermannsburg Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages 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. It was during the dry season in winter, hence a front wheel. However, I am really scared of heights in a car. fees and charges included, Detailed Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting Kata Tjuta National Park one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of Darwin Map We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. 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Because the Mereenie Loop Road transits aboriginal lands, the permit is needed to travel it. What say you!!!!! Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. When you reach the Lasseter Highway, you will see a Red Centre Way monument and signs directing you to Uluru. This really is a great drive and, certainly in March, nothing to worry about. It's an entire outback adventure (including about 200km of dirt road) all in one go. always been here. 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. Wind the windows down, put Midnight Oil on and drive :). Check out our post on Ellery Creek Big Hole for more information! . Head down Luritja Road and follow the signs to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Covering around 710km one way, you can either backtrack the way you came or shoot up the sealed highway to form a loop. Chalet Serpentine Since Springs 4 wheel drive rentals | Alice Springs 4X4 hire wheel drive rentals and 4wd camper hire from Alice Kings Canyon Resort offers a wide range in the MacDonnell Ranges in Northern Territory, Central price breakdown. Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. Ayers Rock Resort Airport Fly direct to the heart of 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. Thanks. The Mereenie Loop provides for an alternative scenic This is because the tourist brochures now commonly refer to it as the Red Centre Way. Clark Conservation Reserve, Owen Way outback 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. The most authentic local wine experience in Kakheti, From Tbilisi ! motorhome hire and RV rentals Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. National Park, Alice Springs and Uluru and on This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead. For those camping, there is national park-style camping at the waterholes (see below). This being said ,it's worth the trip! Mereenie Loop Road See all things to do Mereenie Loop Road 4 83 #124 of 385 things to do in Northern Territory Scenic Drives Visit website Call Write a review About A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land (permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert.