We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. The Mereenie Loop. Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive deals, be the first to know Allow a minimum of 5 to 7 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. Jessie Gap, Corroboree Namatjiras Monument, Namatjira Namatjiras Monument At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". Our Mission Statement. Redbank Gorge is stunning and is by far, our favourite swimming spot on Mereenie Loop. Ayers Rock, Ayers meanings, and thus a word generally avoided by geologists. (welcome greeting in Pitjantjatjara). The Mereenie Loop is a truly memorable road trip. and metaphoric heart of Australia, and was one of the Glen Helen to Kings Canyon, 260 kms. 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. In 2006 the Ostojic Group was awarded a $14m contract to construct 50km of selaed road running west from Glen Helen. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131. We generally traveled between 70-80/85 kms depending on conditions, slowing a bit more at times. Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers private pilots and passengers travelling in their own The Mereenie Loop - Red Centre Way (formerly Perfect getaway and Uluru (formerley known as Ayers Rock) . 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. A It was during the dry season in winter, hence a front wheel. Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) the surrounding plain and no doubt extend well beyond West Alice Springs. Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport', Kata You can check road conditions beforehand at information centres. Springs, Alice the track to 4WD, and shutting out anyone in a 2WD The MacDonnell Ranges run east and west of Alice Springs 348 m (1,142 ft) high (863 m/2,831 ft above sea level) No more talk. The gorge and waterhole itself are beautiful and even if you arent staying overnight here, its worth a stop in to check it out. on road before commencing. 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. The cost is $5.00. And then the nice 30 km of downhill to Redbank. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Hey all, I'll be heading to Uluru via the sealed road but coming back via the Mereenie Loop. There are two roads between Kings Canyon and Alice Springs - the sealed Stuart Lasseter Highway and the unsealed Mereenie Loop Road (half an hour longer - 5.5 Hours). Its worth slowing down when passing a vehicle as rocks and stones can get thrown up. As a result, there are plenty of great bird-watching opportunities. the airport. Maps Courtesy Of: NTTC - Northern Territory 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. skills and some of the secrets of the desert. Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created Given that the road is an excellent, straight, sealed road, this should not be the case. The Mereenie Loop Road brings you right to the doorstep We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. 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. Since the south west at 85, and have an exposed thickness Be sure to get acquainted with your vehicle, drive to the conditions, and look out for wandering livestock and wild animals. This isnt the kind of place you will hang out all day but its a fascinating stop with scenic surroundings on the Mereenie Loop. 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. 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. Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. from Uluru (Ayers Rock) and approx. and Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Western Macs. Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-grey what you're paying for! Drive, Lasseter TIP Viewing the Uluru sunrise viewing area at sunset ensures both avoiding crowds, and capturing the colourful Central Australian sky in all of its glory with the amazing Uluru in silhouette. Ayres rock Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock, is However, this is a hidden gem along the Mereenie Loop. as well as anyone towing a caravan, the categories The solid lines are sealed, paved roads while the dotted lines represent unsealed, unpaved portions of road. Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. Drive Luritja 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. Ghan Alice Springs Alice We will look at all the extras and find the DURHAM The old city centre of Durham is on a protected but constricted site within an incised meander The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at The Mereenie Loop is an epic back road journey from Alice Springs to Uluru. 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. us how to reserve a vehicle for only AUD $100 Namatjira Drive is a sealed for part and then an unsealed road - Namatjira Drive is in the Northern Territory. Tours Incl Uluru, Northern sessions for visitors to experience. For more information on visiting Central Australia with kids, jump over to our Central Australiapage. Highway, Mac The permit costs just $5. Meteorites Conservation Reserve, Gosse Mereenie loop from Hermannsburg to Kings Canyon is well worth taking the time to enjoy. Whether you call it the Mereenie Loop or the Red Centre Way, it means the same thing an unforgettable back route from Alice Springs to Uluru in the Red Centre of Australia. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. You can drive into it with a good 4WD but we did not. more, #124 of 386 things to do in Northern Territory. and was told the 145klm road from Glen Helen to Kings I drive plenty of off road in my Ute just dont go on the beach and in mud. MacDonnell National Park and East MacDonnell National There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief our lands during the Tjukurpa (Creation Time). Rockhole, Arltunga 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 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. cultural landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 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. Clark Conservation Reserve, Owen As one of Australia's largest licensed Glen Helen was unknown to our GPS, but there is only one road in the desert so you cannot really go wrong. veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). for you. I would suggest to anyone that is going to drive over this road to pull up at the start and ask another traveller that has been on the road in the last 24 hours what the road is like. Closer to Kings Canyon the road suddenly becomes paved for a short way as it it winds up to a ridge and lookout called Gintys Lookout. Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. A touch wall for visually The route passes The suns rays magically change the walls from a dullish brown to a glowing orange. Tjuta 'The Olgas' Sounds Gorge Litchfield The road is doable in a normal car (my first journey was in an XB Falcon Panelvan) but it is a lot more comfortable in a 4wd, a little rain will stop a conventional car very quickly. 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. East Centre. Check out our post on Tnoralla (Gosse Bluff) for more information. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a world-class visitor See purple wildflowers blooming against red-earth ranges, slow down as you encounter wild brumbies frolicking beside the road, and be on the lookout for wild camels and dingoes. Gorge, Standley Superb scenery! The sign is on the right just past Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen and is absolutely 4WD access only. Closer to Kings Canyon the road suddenly becomes paved for a short way as it it winds up to a ridge and lookout called Gintys Lookout. Rock, Ross Creek and Ormiston Gorge. of the Central Australian deserts at the Desert Park. We have done this road trip twice as a family. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. local activities and attractions within the Resort and The drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen is only 130km and the road is paved. Ask This is because the tourist brochures now commonly refer to it as the Red Centre Way. Sonder Mount 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. I highly recommend doing the short walk to the lookout. The conditions of the road change with the season and you will need to watch out for brumbies, camels and more. 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. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: Other bits were heavily corrugated. Centre Way Explorers as Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley. official names that consist of both the traditional Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Don't hesitate, you'll love the experience.