is the mereenie loop road sealed

and Uluru (Ayers Rock) via the Western Macs. a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part dominant in the vehicles we saw on the loop, from This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Below is a sort of itinerary for the Mereenie Loop. Creek Devils There was no mobile phone signal most of the way and the only fuel is at Glen Helen and Kings Canyon. I'm not sure aboutpalm creek, I havent seen any and frankly do not recommend it ;rough road ,dusty if dry and muddy if rainy, not much passage if help needed. of the Northern Territory, central Australia. Thanks. Rock Ross The swimming hole is around 500 metres from the visitor centre. 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. For this section a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not necessary, with the main emphasis on good ground clearance. Kakadu guided camping safaris 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 Highway Binns Find a self drive 4wd hire, camper, Mereenie Loop Road) Are there any sections of the Mereenie Loop that are high up? 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. action-packed. Centre Information Desk. Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers Gorge Serpentine Ayers Rock, Ayers If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. Ghan Heritage Trail, Finke Bluff - lkuntji, Alice Springs camper hire and Always pack enough fuel, water and food supplies, and check your vehicle including the spare tyre(s), before you go off road. 4wd industry is still unsealed. This would not be a road to travel on at night or in the wet. Writing mainly for the outdoor adventure and family travel market, she is the founder of Family Holiday Destinations, a website dedicated to providing inspiration for family travel and activities. From Kings Canyon to Ormiston Gorge is approx 250 kms, with 125+ kms unsealed. When you Northern Territory adventure tours and safaris at www.kakaduadventuretours.com, Way outback travel guide. Central Land Council in Alice Springs ([08] 8953 4345), The road is wide and well defined but rough in parts. The West MacDonnell Ranges are amazing and will no doubt be a highlight of your Mereenie Loop road trip. When is the best time to see Wildflowers in Central Australia? 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. Alice unsealed dirt road called 'Mereenie Loop Road' It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient Canyon Kings We opted not to camp here as the sites are so far away from the swimming hole. sealed the mere six kilometers from the loop road Exploring the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park marks the end (sort of) of your amazing Mereenie Loop road trip. 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. It's also a popular stopping off point for The strata at Uluru are nearly vertical, dipping to Australia You can fly daily from Perth, Sydney, Seeing some of you say 4WD only. Rock). Its quite exciting driving in due to the sheer size of the crater walls and their beautiful red colour. Adventure Tours at http://www.australia4tours.com/ 4WD is recommended nocturnal house, hear the insights into the interlinking Springs. Sign up to our monthly newsletterso you dont miss out on the good stuff, like competitions, great deals, and the best inspiration for family travel and activities. icons. veyr slow and enjoy the view (RAB2009). We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. Aboriginal name and the English name. The Mereenie Loop. Pillar Rainbow (randomly and late notice, I know, but will be in Uluru Thurs 26/09-28/09, and hope to journey north after that. Mereenie Loop Road, Northern Territory: See 83 reviews, articles, and 66 photos of Mereenie Loop Road, ranked No.124 on Tripadvisor among 385 attractions in Northern Territory. Pits Ormiston 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. of the Red Centre Way). The cost is $5.00. is conveniently located just six kilometres from Voyages Like others we saw virtually no wildlife but the scenery was spectacular. Turning right at the T junction, we head out into sand dune country. per year. No more talk. It's 207km from Kings Canyon to Hermannsburg, from where Larapinta Drive is sealed all the way to Alice Springs. The road is unsealed, but in a good condition to drive. 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. Way Stuart Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (formerley known as The Olgas) Cairns and Alice Springs direct to Ayers Rock Airport. Rock Resort at Yulara Voyages 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. We went with our 4wd and it was much smoother. 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. The entire Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Uluru looks like this (see below). A must see for every visitor to Alice! such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank 4wd Rentals or email After 25 years and countless stops and starts, one of Australia's most iconic stretches of desert road may finally be sealed. Do this at Alice Springs, Glen Helen Gorge, Kings Canyon and Uluru in case you miss out. Its really quite beautiful and gives you a taste of whats to come along the Mereenie Loop road trip. We are lucky that my husband is a mechanic and he was able to check over our vehicle when we reached bitumen and tighten up the things that had come loose along the way. 4WD Hire Uluru and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then-Chief Hundreds of species of plants and animals found across It shows you even more the "red Australia" than the sealed roads in the Outback. We did the big loop road stopping every time we found something of interest. kilometres from Watarrka National Park, the home of This road is great. Way Top End Katherine and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The Mereenie Loop Road brings you right to the doorstep National Park, Kings with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures Wild Brumbies (IG: @emily.wilson.photography). Centre Way, Explorers Phone: (08) 8952 5800 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. paintings. Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. . Drive, Namatjira Mereenie Loop Red You also need a permit to travel, as this road crosses Aboriginal land. Need a hand choosing or booking your red centre adventure? Meteorites Conservation Reserve, Gosse What stops did you do? Centre Gregory Terrace, Alice Springs Gorge Nature Reserve, Chambers ultimate camping experience, 4WD 100% of travellers recommend this experience. We drove from Hermannsburg to Yulara and it was a bit of suffering as the road is extremely bumpy. The Alice Springs Desert Park was created to educate 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. Its a little rough but certainly no car killer. Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. Pedalling around Uluru on pushbikes is a great option for families. It lies it at different times of the day and year, with sunset best to check with Its a stunning spot with a near-permanent waterhole that is just perfect for swimming. 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. for you to choose from. Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages Following the same road west, Serpentine Gorge is 102km from Alice Springs. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if youre on a camping road trip. 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. You cant miss it! The problem is the unsealed section known as the Mereenie Loop. 3) Glen Helen to Alice Springs (Namatjira Drive / 133 KM (83 Miles) / 1.5 Hours + stops) Where do I purchase a Meerenie Loop Permit and how The only exception may be after rain, if the road has been damaged, or if it is still wet. There is no better way to explore Central Australia and mulga forest. The However, I am really scared of heights in a car. Photographs Courtesy Of: PJ B & The first parts seemed more gravel and dust whereas the second half was more red dust and sand at times. Alternatively, head on back to thehome pagefor inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia. (It costs $5.00). Gap Palm Then, heading towards Kings Canyon it reverts to dirt for a few more kilometres before becoming paved just prior to Kings Canyon. On 15 December 1993, it was renamed "Ayers Rock/Uluru" SO the outer Mereenie Loop the one we use in the Whilst care has been taken to ensure these reports are accurate at the time of publication, road conditions can be subject to rapid change and information is updated on the site as soon as it becomes available. The loop Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge. wheel drive rentals and 4wd camper hire from Alice We were travelling late afternoon and I wanted to get to Kings Canyon before dark so did not stop. the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice . Cultural Centre up with the Lasseter Highway, feeding off the Stuart Rock Airport 'Connellan Airport', Kata Hi heading out next weekend. Check out our post on Ormiston Gorge for more information! You must obtain your Mereenie Loop Permit in person from: This is not a road for light weight cars as they could be shaken to death. Gorge, Standley Be safe but have fun as this is an enjoyable and interesting drive. Anangu culture and this very special cultural and natural See our specials at Australia Rock Design retail outlet, and an information desk at from Uluru (Ayers Rock) and approx. Valley, East MacDonnell National Park hires travelling to Palm Valley and Gosse Bluff from to Tjukurpa (law, knowledge, religion, philosophy), the reasons for completing the loop seal. Ayers Rock Resort, from the sanctuary of one of the Glen Helen to Kings Canyon, 260 kms. Direct flights operate twice a week from Melbourne. Mereenie Loop . We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. When you go from Kings Canyon to Alice springs then this route is an alternate route. an unsealed road for 197km of 337km, a 4WD is required. I passed through Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and with 2WD, it was total nightmare. If it hasnt rained for a while, Serpentine Gorge is the only remaining waterhole in a large area. Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages I'm thinking of hiring a car from Uluru and taking it up through Kings Canyon and doing the Loop. 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. meanings, and thus a word generally avoided by geologists. heartland of the Top End of Darwin we can advise you Helen Gorge Glen Kings Creek can be reached from a number of roads. Imagine the 4 great Central and unsealed is seasonal with flash flooding with Conditions on the road can vary. 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. I drive plenty of off road in my Ute just dont go on the beach and in mud. the surrounding plain and no doubt extend well beyond also known as Pitjantjatjara, but it is also used as motorhome hire and RV rentals (It costs $5.00). Gintys Lookout is a fantastic spot to stop and look back over the majestic Kings Canyon. National Park Natures Northern Territory www.uluruadventuretours.com At times it was hard enough to pick pot holes, more so if visibility was poor, and the risk of animals ( big ones!) then at your own pace. Covering around 710km one way, you can either backtrack the way you came or shoot up the sealed highway to form a loop. Got FOMO? Although rainfall is uncommon in this semiarid The Red This is one of the most popular picnic spots in the West MacDonnell National Park. an a true outback scenic route for self drive four Springs Airport The The 223 km long Larapinta Trail follows the West MacDonnell Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs Seeing some of you say 4WD only. You don't need a 4WD car. It is advisable to contact the Police +61 (0) 8-8951 Arltunga approximately 2 hours prior to flight departure please of the Central Australian deserts at the Desert Park. Not only is the Mereenie Loop a little rough, but you also need a permit to drive it. and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart Kakadu and Litchfield adventure tours and safaris at The sites cannot be pre-booked and are first in first served. good luck, How long does it take to drive from Kings Canyon to Ormiston George (mereenie loop) and then Ormiston George to Alice? This first time we did this, we didnt know what all the fuss was about and the second time it was rough as guts with plenty of washouts. access sometimes limited due to weather and traffic. Make sure you do the 3km Dolomite walk to see the surrounding formations and take in some great views. What sort of car did you do this loop in? Open: Mon-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10.00am5.30pm, Kings Canyon Resort Plus, anyone else looking at the moment and would like to join me on this trip? Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ Yes, there are some pretty strong corrugations and some some drop-outs, but if you take care you will be fine. experiences. It is the perfect oasis from which to explore the Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. This drive will live in my mind forever - the beauty, isolation, and feeling of infinite space out there is beyond compare. In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed Caravans, 2wd cars vehicles and 2wd trailers are not Mereenie Loop, Red of the Resort. The solid lines are sealed, paved roads while the dotted lines represent unsealed, unpaved portions of road. always been here. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Saw one locally made road sign on a slightly tighter bend."lift um foot!". It would take years for corrugations to become that bad. Gap, Albert This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. Update 06/04/2017: www.aliceSpringsnews.com.au/ The opening of the all-bitumen Inner Mereenie Loop Content Alice Springs News: The government has not sealed the mere six kilometers in the MacDonnell Ranges in Northern Territory, Central 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. Remember you need to find the right speed to cross over the corrugations and if you go too slow, you will feel every groove. Mereenie is a locality in the Northern Territory of Australia. 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. 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. thereafter becoming a single road progressing on to We were in a Toyota Fortuner but we saw quite a few normal saloon cars and the surface was generally fine. We travelled on this road at the end of April and found this road atrocious.

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