and Uluru (formerley known as Ayers Rock) . We did 90kph on there, only slowing down for the worst of the corrugated corners. of just a few hours, you can discover many of the secrets
was officially reversed to "Uluru/Ayers Rock" on 6 November
this is a somewhat ambiguous term because of its multiple
Tourism Central Australia honours the commitment to operate with respect for indigenous culture, including cultural protocols and authenticity.
The Mereenie Loop | 4 Wheel Driving | Discover Central Australia and enjoy a cinematic journey through four-and-a-half
Track, Alice
However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. Cultural Centre
It's also a popular stopping off point for
Are there any sections of the Mereenie Loop that are high up? . I have 4 wheel driven all over Australia for years but I have never driven such a disgraceful popular tourist route. Are you ready to RUN the Larapinta Trail? Connnor, Mount
Drive, Namatjira
Highlights along the
skills and some of the secrets of the desert. Made us laugh! National Park Kings
Rockhole Palm
How to drive the Red Centre Art Trail 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. During peak times, you will need to book room accommodation or campsites in advance. Don't hesitate, you'll love the experience. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. 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. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. The Mereenie Loop Rd links some of Central Australia's most exciting attractions - Uluru & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon (Watarrka) and the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja). from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Uluru guided camping tours and
Springs. water - Mereenie Loop. aircraft. 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. 9.00am-4.00pm, Glen Helen Resort
Chambers
to everyone. Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Instant
Our Mission Statement. A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive
links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia
Got FOMO? Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Not to mention plenty of opportunities to make great family memories. Centre Way Explorers
Twin Gums Hermannsburg
the airport. . The permit is cheap as chips and can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs. in Alice Springs. 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. Aboriginal name and the English name.
Luritja Road visitors information guide - MacDonnell Ranges Way Stuart
appearing to change colour as the different light strikes
We will source the different options
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. Springs campervan hire and camper rentals, Alice Springs
Bluff - lkuntji, Alice Springs camper hire and
Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas)
will fill your home with. way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke
We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. 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. Tours Incl Uluru, Northern
When is the best time to see Wildflowers in Central Australia?
Mereenie Loop - ExplorOz Turning right at the T junction, we head out into sand dune country. Australia You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney,
When you
best to check with
(randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. Highway, Ernest
Hey all, I'll be heading to Uluru via the sealed road but coming back via the Mereenie Loop. I say sort of because I have not included time frames, allowing you to decide when and where to stop. . Best tracks to go and do Four-wheel Driving in Central Australia, Tag-Along and Guided 4WD Adventures in the Red Centre, 4WD Checklist of Essential Equipment Needed for Touring in the Red Centre, Finke Gorge National Park and Palm Valley, Must-Do Stops in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, Everything You Need to Know About Ellery Creek Big Hole, The Iytwelepenty/Davenport Ranges National Park, Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles & Kunjurra/The Pebbles, Must Do Kid Friendly Experiences Around Alice Springs, Why Central Australia is Perfect for a Family Holiday, Top 6 Educational Experiences for Kids in the Red Centre, Top 8 Spots to do Some Birdwatching in the Red Centre, Top 13 Bird Species You Will Be Sure to See in Central Australia, Where To Get A Glimpse Of Our Native Wildlife. Canyon Resort Glen
Giles Road, Larapinta
It is a. 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. Before we set off on the Mereenie Loop Road, now re branded the Red Centre Way I was a little apprehensive, as I had read a lot of mixed reviews about its condition, and understood that after a period of rain it can be challenging. 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.
We saw two mobs of wild camels, there and on the Ernest Giles Road! 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. and surrounding areas
the south west at 85, and have an exposed thickness
and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951
From there it's undulating all the way to Alice Springs on a good sealed road but with plenty of tourist traffic. Creek Devils
It is designated as a 4WD road. Tjuta 'The Olgas' Sounds
history, languages, wildlife and joint management of
fees and charges included, Detailed
Glen Helen was unknown to our GPS, but there is only one road in the desert so you cannot really go wrong. Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs
You can obtain them from the
What You Can Experience at Night in the Red Centre, Helicopter and Scenic Flights in Central Australia, Gold Mining & Fossicking in Central Australia, A Dive into the Geological History of the Red Centre, Top 7 Historical Experiences in the Red Centre, Alice Springs Central Lands Council office. Thanks. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. an unsealed road for 197km of 337km, a 4WD is required. Courtesy of, Information
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. 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). We have done this road trip twice as a family. up to 9 months from travel. Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. The Mereenie Loop Road is an unsealed road and four wheel drive is recommended, but you usually don't need it. on the Meerenie, although conventional cars have been
Ebenezer Curtin
(randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. experiences. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/
of the Australian outback. the surrounding plain and no doubt extend well beyond
Chasm, Honeymoon
http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/, Uluru
veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). The sign is on the right just past Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen and is absolutely 4WD access only. and was told the 145klm road from Glen Helen to Kings
We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Fuel and limited supplies are also available at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg store, Kings Creek Station, and Kings Canyon Resort. The Loop will take you through areas where ten distinct
Minimum rental is 5 days. habitat, witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature
Drove it today, not towing. This road is great. Ayres rock Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is
Way, Stuart
The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. I passed through Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and with 2WD, it was total nightmare. 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. Great fun. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. Kakadu and Litchfield. There are two campgrounds here, the Woodland and the Ridgetop, and both have toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands
Springs Airport, The
Courtesy of NTTC - Northern Territory
Would it be too much to do Palm Valley and then loop back around the top to do Ormiston Gorge? This being said ,it's worth the trip! Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu
Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. And then the nice 30 km of downhill to Redbank. Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com
If you have more time and a 4WD, consider exploring both the East MacDonnell ranges or Palm Valley back toward Alice Springs. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Search, find and about West
Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. National Park, Natures
Driving the Red Centre Way from Alice Springs with a car rental Dont miss these great stops on the Mereenie Loop in the West MacDonnell Ranges! Hi heading out next weekend. Find a self drive 4wd hire, camper,
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. known to survive the trip. To drive on this road, you'll need a Mereenie Loop Permit . Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Creek Station, Ayers Rock Resort. Territory tours, Watarrka
(It costs $5.00). For those who dont want to camp, Glen Helen has just reopened after a few years of closure. www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability
Australian icons areas all in one trip being Alice Springs,
on road before commencing. Could do Palm vallbut a long day. The Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation is owned by the local community members who are direct descendants of the Arrernte Aboriginal people that have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years. 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. 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. Perfect getaway
can be purchased from The Visitor Centre, Glen Helen
Jessie Gap Corroboree
SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. The permit costs $5.00 and is valid for 3 days from the date of purchase.
The Mereenie Loop - Alice Springs to Uluu the Fun Way are bush tucker sessions, plants walks and cultural
From the moment you set foot on the red earth, it's impossible to escape Central Australia's natural beauty. 4.5 hours travelling time. visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert
Phone: (08) 8952 5800
Historical Reserve and hotel or camping, Trephina
hire car companies, tour desks, a Qantas desk, Ayers
The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it.
Mereenie Loop : r/darwin - Reddit 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. From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of
Ayers Rock Airport
We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. It was during the dry season in winter, hence a front wheel. leave the Desert Park you will go away with new stories,
such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank
Its a great drive, a bit of an adventure and a good way to get from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon with great sights along the way. Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport' Kata
the track to 4WD, and shutting out anyone in a 2WD
more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. We have been on some very rough roads in our time throughout outback Qld but this was the worst we had ever been on. With over 65 tours,
from Ayers Rock Airport to Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort
From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Hi sorry just saw the question. then at your own pace. wheel drive rentals and 4wd camper hire from Alice
MacDonnell National-Park, East
Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. However, I am really scared of heights in a car. Rockhole, Arltunga
Gorge Redbank
Mereenie road seal crucial for tourism recovery Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. The scenery and remoteness were fantastic, and we don't at all regret our decision to go that way. The reporting on road conditions is intended as a guide only. - Kata Tjuta National Park. Drive Namatjira
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. The nightly rate for a family was $25 at the time of writing. 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. 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. Kakadu guided camping safaris
Valley, Other Highways, Scenic Routes,
Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site. *For those in a two-wheel drive, there is a fully sealed route between Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, southbound via the Stuart Highway, Lasseter Hwy and Luritja Road. called the Lost City and the Garden of Eden an oasis
The unsealed Mereenie Loop Road, will take you directly from Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) to Alice Springs via Hermannsburg, or for a slightly longer route, through the West MacDonnell Ranges, (or vice-versa). When you visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, you
Open: MonFri 8.00am-5.00pm; Sat-Sun and Public Holidays
Content Alice Springs News: The government has not
thereafter becoming a single road progressing on to
Hop on a Harley, or embark on a base walk of Uluru (Ayers
Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. we loved it! AWESOME!! countryside, and also offers an alternate route for
Gorge Emily
Where do I purchase a Meerenie Loop Permit and how
Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid
If it rained recently the road may be closed. . Alternatively, head on back to thehome pagefor inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia. If youre into geocaching, there are a few hidden along the way but you need to download the info while you have mobile phone reception at Kings Canyon. www.kakadusafaris.com
It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. Creek Station, Kings
Airport Transfers - Complimentary return coach transfers
Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not
M Hutchinson Private Collections
Uluru
The only exception may be after rain, if the road has been damaged, or if it is still wet. 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. Keep your eyes out because . outdoor stillness of the Red Centre to deluxe spa rooms
Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B &
When you reach the Lasseter Highway, you will see a Red Centre Way monument and signs directing you to Uluru. Ask
See our post on Standley Chasm for more details. Advertisement Why do I love it so much? Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. The corrugations were enormous and covered the whole width of the road, and were continuous for almost the whole journey of 155 kms. Prefer a 4X4. See our specials at Australia
Kata Tjuta is just as amazing as Uluru with some great walking tracks and sunset/sunrise viewing areas. Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. But as I said, usually any car is just fine. Across Australia
Campervans also available, Great
Darwin, Map
Driving From Alice Springs to Ayers Rock - Travel Outback Australia This route takes approximately the same time as going via Hermannsburg and the Mereenie Loop (3 hours and 45 minutes). Henbury
Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia
Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. Trail, Glen
Tjuta 'The Olgas', Sounds
It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient
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. 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. Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. The traditional land owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National
Way Top End, Litchfield
If you are travelling west from Alice Springs, the
A scenic road traversing Aboriginal land(permit required) and leading past Ayers Rock and other scenic areas including gorges and desert. 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. Spacious and
is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make
The strata at Uluru are nearly vertical, dipping to
private pilots and passengers travelling in their own
Central Land Council in Alice Springs ([08] 8953 4345),
Drive, Lasseter
The condition of Mereenie Loop Road surface is dirt
I'm thinking of hiring a car from Uluru and taking it up through Kings Canyon and doing the Loop. We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. 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.