and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. Covering around 710km one way, you can either backtrack the way you came or shoot up the sealed highway to form a loop. From Ayers Rock Airport, you can enjoy scenic
National Park, Kings
For that long stretch I saw many 2wd damaged tyres thrown on the road side. Ayers Rock Resort Airport collects you from your hotel
Namatjira Drive is a sealed for part and then an unsealed road - Namatjira Drive is in the Northern Territory. Creek Devils
one of the pearls in our tourism crown, and one of
first areas to be identified as a National Landscape. 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 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). Marbles Kakadu
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Gorge Simpsons
Way Stuart
Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Perfect getaway
It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient
Helen Lodge accommodation, Remote access sites
sealed the mere six kilometers from the loop road
Please note: the Mareenie Loop Road is
I am not sure they will let you pass (you have to request a permit) Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages
Travel time varies more on the Mereenie Loop, due to the changing conditions of the unsealed road. Continue experiencing Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Centre Way, Explorers
Also, a permit is required
River Resort Ruby
A bit corrugated. Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu
Always pack enough fuel, water and food supplies, and check your vehicle including the spare tyre(s), before you go off road. Know
This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. 4.5 hours travelling time. Don't hesitate, you'll love the experience. courtesy of Parks Northern Territory, The Goholi
100% of travelers recommend this experience. Anangu culture and this very special cultural and natural
Chasm, Honeymoon
it at different times of the day and year, with sunset
- Kata Tjuta National Park. Tjuta 'The Olgas' Sounds
National Park Kings
Bluff - lkuntji, Alice Springs camper hire and
The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. As one of Australia's largest licensed
Twin Gums Hermannsburg
We all enjoyed the long trip better as we had time to linger in all the good spots. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted along the Mereenie Loop, you may carry sealed alcohol in the vehicle. 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. Chalet Serpentine
Ensure you book a vehicle that is permitted on unsealed roads and covered by insurance. Inner Mereenie Loop. Tours Incl Uluru, Northern
That part of the journey is a good sealed road, including onwards to the intersection of Namatjira and Larapinta drive just west of Hermannsburg. The first time we took 5 days and the second time we took 10 days. on the Meerenie, although conventional cars have been
Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas)
Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created
Ayers Rock Resort (10 minutes' travel). Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort
. Central Australian deserts can be seen, smelt and heard. Are there any sections of the Mereenie Loop that are high up? as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. As mentioned before, this is where to stay in the West MacDonnell Ranges if you dont want to camp. Seeing some of you say 4WD only. We have read other reviews saying the track was so rough they struggled to hold 40kph. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site. 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
history, languages, wildlife and joint management of
www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability
Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. East MacDonnell National Park
links the West MacDonnell Ranges of central Australia
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dont miss this nice side trip on the Mereenie Loop. Alice Springs
Trail, Glen
The Subaru Outback handled it well, though I drove cautiously anyway. 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. Check out our post on Tnoralla (Gosse Bluff) for more information. Ask around before you set off for the current conditions. to Gosses Bluff / Tnorala (at top, and below), limiting
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. You don't need a 4WD car. visitors on the many facets of the surrounding desert
We opted not to camp here as the sites are so far away from the swimming hole. Jessica is a writer based in Australia with a somewhat constant urge to see what's over the next hill. such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank
When you visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, you
When is the best time to see Wildflowers in Central Australia? 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. Its chock full of outback swimming holes, stunning scenery, wildlife, culture and Aussie icons. feature rich! 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. Valley, Albert
motorhome hire and RV rentals, 4WD Hire
If it rained recently the road may be closed. Alice Springs 4wd hire | Alice
us how to reserve a vehicle for only AUD $100
The local Pitjantjatjara people call the landmark Uluru
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. Highway, Ernest
What sort of car did you do this loop in? also known as Pitjantjatjara, but it is also used as
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. from Alice Springs on to Glen Helen or Hermannsburg,
Just over 2 hours from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon. This road is great. The only exception may be after rain, if the road has been damaged, or if it is still wet. and unsealed is seasonal with flash flooding with
paintings. Creek Station, Kings
of the Australian outback. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. is recommended for 4x4 as weather conditions make
Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. The Amazing Kings Canyon: 4-Hours Walking Tour and Hike, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs, Coach Transfer from Kings Canyon Resort to Ayers Rock (Uluru), Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. icons. Mereenie Loop Red
kilometres from Watarrka National Park, the home of
more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. Prefer a 4X4. different. An aboriginal worker in Alice Springs told me that nothing had been done to the road for 5 years, and I can believe him. The strata at Uluru are nearly vertical, dipping to
Namatjira
Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief
and Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Western Macs. Update 06/04/2017:
However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. Car hire is available in Alice Springs. on the road at dawn or dusk/ night would be high. Chalet, Serpentine
This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. Ayers Rock Resort Airport Fly direct to the heart of
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Information
wonders of Kings Canyon including the amazing rock formation
desert flights over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. Anangu art, Anangu way of life (traditional and current),
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. Dont forget to enter into the Hermansburg an aboriginal village. It is important to check and monitor road conditions before and during your trip at the Road Report NT website. The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association
appearing to change colour as the different light strikes
Unfortunately, I will only have 1 full day to make it back through that road. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. I highly recommend doing the short walk to the lookout. Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. Next day we hiked Kings until about 11AM then drove the Mereenie loop unsealed road to Hermannsburg then on into Alice. Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. in the MacDonnell Ranges in Northern Territory, Central
Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at
Highlights along the
4WD is recommended
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.
on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/, Instant
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 is no better way to explore Central Australia
Highway at Erldunda and on to Uluru. Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. of the Resort. SO the outer Mereenie Loop the one we use in the
Permits are roughly $5 per vehicle and valid for three days from the time of purchase. and West MacDonnell National Park in Central Australia
With our head Office in the
red. the road conditions difficult for standard vehicles. (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). Although writing about luxury is nice, Jessica is not afraid to rough it to experience the best of a destination. can be purchased from The Visitor Centre, Glen Helen
The Mereenie Loop between Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges is progressively being sealed. 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. Uluru is also often referred to as a monolith, although
As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. of the Central Australian deserts at the Desert Park. the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, your days will be
Ways, offroad 4wd Tracks and Roads in Central Australia
Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com
Uluru to Alice Springs, 445 kms. Alice
literally "island mountain", an isolated remnant left
You will find
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. A 4wd vehicle is essential for self drive
My advice is drive slow -
way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke
For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. Other bits were heavily corrugated. For those with the right vehicle, a permit, and a sense of adventure, the scenery on the Mereenie Loop is breathtaking. Make sure to read our post on the Kata Tjuta Walks for more information. Aboriginal languages are spoken. 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. distance from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon 461km and
Made us laugh! and Uluru (formerley known as Ayers Rock) . Regardless of what you do here, a stay in one of the glamping tents at Kings Canyon Resort will be a memorable experience. availability on Darwin one day tours www.darwin4tours.com/. . 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. Definitely have driven worst roads with this Commodore. Springs, Alice
Honeymoon
hire and rentals. If you have more time and a 4WD, consider exploring both the East MacDonnell ranges or Palm Valley back toward Alice Springs. Creek, Devils
He told me 4-1/2 hours. Centre Information Desk. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. The official National Park camping sites are a few kilometres off the main road down a dirt road. This word has no particular meaning in their dialect,
Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off
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.
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