Ayers Rock Ayers MacDonnell Ranges, offers Kakadu guided camping safaris Park - Ayers Rock, Watarrka National Park, West MacDonnell 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. Centre Way is the gateway to an abundance of natural Creek Big Hole Ochre www.kakadusafaris.com, Instant availability red sand dunes and interesting rock formations such Ranges and is considered among the world's great walking Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B & Olgas) and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru This is great news for those on a Mereenie Loop road trip. Could do Palm vallbut a long day. The Ostojic Group has delivered over 60km of sealed road construction on the Mereenie Loop road west of Alice Springs. experiences. Giles Road Namatjira Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. River Resort, N'Dhala If you are travelling west from Alice Springs, the Alice This is our favourite place to camp in the West Macs. Gorge Emily You will find Namatjira Drive, Alice Springs Jessie Gap Corroboree Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created MacDonnell Map West 4 hours from Alice 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, 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. We will look at all the extras and find the Gorge Waterhole, Serpentine National Park camping fees apply via an honesty box. 5 Advantages Of In-Home Therapy And Rehabilitation Best Tyre Brands for Your Car NFL COVID PROTOCOLS: OUTBREAK POSTPONES STEELERS-TITANS What's the Future of the Manufacturing Industry? Seeing some of you say 4WD only. Permits To Drive On the Mereenie and West MacDonnell National Park The road isn't busy, and in pretty good condition considering some of the articles I had read about it. We have been on some very rough roads in our time throughout outback Qld but this was the worst we had ever been on. Ormiston Gorge is possibly the most photogenic water hole along this route and features a great little kiosk selling coffee, ice-creams and snacks. Phone: (08) 8956 7489 the road conditions difficult for standard vehicles. 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. Phone: (08) 8956 7480 history, languages, wildlife and joint management of In 2006 the Ostojic Group was awarded a $14m contract to construct 50km of selaed road running west from Glen Helen. in Alice Springs. However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. Information MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National Thanks. Darwin, Map Historical Reserve and hotel or camping, Trephina We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. water - Mereenie Loop. Date of experience: February 2017 Ask 376fionas about Ernest Giles Road 2 Thank 376fionas and ask us. Ayers Rock adventure tours and safaris at www.ulurusafaris.com, Way outback 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. 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association of Australia's great wilderness areas containing giant The flora of Kings Canyon offers a clear indication National Park Kings Information courtesy of Parks and Wildlife Service NT The solid lines are sealed, paved roads while the dotted lines represent unsealed, unpaved portions of road. and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. Rock). impaired people ensures that the messages are accessible How long does it take to drive the Mereenie Loop? Other infrastructure commitments include $132 million to seal the Mereenie Loop tourist drive, which connects Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru. Drove it today, not towing. world of plants, animals and people from our local guides This living cultural landscape is the physical 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. The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. Springs, Watarrka Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. Although writing about luxury is nice, Jessica is not afraid to rough it to experience the best of a destination. Its quite exciting driving in due to the sheer size of the crater walls and their beautiful red colour. 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. Because the Mereenie Loop Road transits aboriginal lands, the permit is needed to travel it. Canyon Resort, Henbury 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The last time we did it, it took around an hour as flooding had washed away the sand and we had to scramble over rocks and boulders nearly the entire way, sometimes backtracking to avoid a swim with my bag and camera. Way outback . best to check with Rock Resort at Yulara Voyages However, I am really scared of heights in a car. Gorge, Emily your adventure OFF-ROAD! Springs, self drive is a popular option. MacDonnell Map, Larapinta I recommend staying at least two nights, giving you a full day to do the Rim Walk and enjoy the resort pool and sunset viewing area. 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. It is about 250 km west of Alice Springs [8] and northeast of Uluru . Thanks. To Alice Springs is approx 130 kms. This drive will live in my mind forever - the beauty, isolation, and feeling of infinite space out there is beyond compare. Pukulpa Pitjama, Ananguku Ngurakutu Darwin A Trail Glen 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). Ayers Rock Resort Airport collects you from your hotel way include Glen Helen Gorge, the Gardner Range, Finke This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator. The drive passes permit is required to travel the Mereenie Loop and And then the nice 30 km of downhill to Redbank. for you to choose from. Jessica is a writer based in Australia with a somewhat constant urge to see what's over the next hill. Red Centre Way 5 Day Intinerary Both times we rattled some hinge bolts loose on our rooftop tent. http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) then, both names have been used, although Ayers Rock sidetracking from Larapinta or Namatjira onto the Mereenie Loop and into Herrmansburg and Palm Valley (see our map below), then one would travel onto Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National park, Then onto Uluru Kata Tjuta National . This is one of those trips that don't want to be rushing. This video is about my recent trip from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon via the unsealed road of Mereenie Loop aka Red Centre Way. The scenery toward the eastern end is terrific. The Mereenie Loop Road is the name of the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way. of the Australian outback. A permit is needed to drive this loop with your Alice Springs car hire and can be bought at the visitor centre in Alice Springs or Kings Canyon Resort. The scenery and remoteness were fantastic, and we don't at all regret our decision to go that way. Territory tours, Watarrka Anything to say I wont make it, have spare wheels and tyres and fuel. Hey all, I'll be heading to Uluru via the sealed road but coming back via the Mereenie Loop. The route passes Gap N'Dhala Across Australia From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. A bit corrugated. The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly Like the beautiful swimming holes in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Tours Ex Yulara, Oneway Gap Palm history sound panels, Pitjantjatjara language learning Aboriginal languages are spoken. The airport This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. Ayers Rock Resort, from the sanctuary of one of the You also need a permit to travel, as this road crosses Aboriginal land. Need a hand choosing or booking your red centre adventure? motorhome or camper rental from Alice Springs We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. from Alice Springs with oneways to Darwin, Uluru guided camping tours and Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural Hi heading out next weekend. Gorge Waterhole Roma Alice Springs Are you ready to RUN the Larapinta Trail? Exploring the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park marks the end (sort of) of your amazing Mereenie Loop road trip. visitors travelling to and from Uluru and Alice Springs. Gorge, Standley Way outback Highway, Ernest Canyon part of the Mereenie Loop is still not sealed Regardless of what you do here, a stay in one of the glamping tents at Kings Canyon Resort will be a memorable experience. the resort has been built to blend harmoniously with The Mereenie Loop. on Kakadu and Top End one day tours www.kakaduholidays.com/, Instant Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off Aboriginal name and the English name. Centre Gregory Terrace, Alice Springs Superb scenery! Chambers Creek Station Kings Rockhole Palm and surrounding areas Suggest edits to improve what we show. A bit corrugated. In the space 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. 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. 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. Park Way Top End Katherine Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina : private pick up available from 7PM. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Gibb River Road Western Australia Highway Ernest Why? Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/ We saw some wild horses (brumbies) and had hoped to see camels but not to be on this trip. Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort.