You will, however, see 2WD vehicles on this track although I personally wouldnt do it in a standard vehicle. 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. Rock Resort at Yulara, Voyages
Hello, Maybe a silly question but I love driving long distance and the outback driving doesn't phase me at all. Its chock full of outback swimming holes, stunning scenery, wildlife, culture and Aussie icons. There is only 99kms of unsealed road on the Ernest Giles Road, as opposed to about 230 on the Loop Road - but the latter seemed potentially much more scenic. National Park, Alice
We went with our 4wd and it was much smoother. There is a cafe on-site as well as picnic tables, BBQs, campsites and toilets. different. destination and a key part of Australia's iconic Red
price breakdown. Mereenie Loop Road (Northern Territory) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Pet Friendly Hotels in Northern Territory, Northern Territory Hotels with Free Parking, Northern Territory Pet Friendly Beach Hotels, Historic Walking Areas in Northern Territory, Scenic Walking Areas in Northern Territory, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Northern Territory, Churches & Cathedrals in Northern Territory, Kayaking & Canoeing in Northern Territory, Scuba & Snorkelling in Northern Territory, Waterskiing & Jetskiing in Northern Territory, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours in Northern Territory, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Northern Territory, Horseback Riding Tours in Northern Territory, Off-Road & ATV Trails in Northern Territory, Sports Camps & Clinics in Northern Territory, Geologic Formations in Northern Territory, Hot Springs & Geysers in Northern Territory, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Northern Territory, Natural History Museums in Northern Territory, Flea & Street Markets in Northern Territory, Speciality & Gift Shops in Northern Territory, Fashion Shows & Tours in Northern Territory, Fishing Charters & Tours in Northern Territory, Game & Entertainment Centers in Northern Territory, Paint & Pottery Studios in Northern Territory, Dance Clubs & Discos in Northern Territory, Bar, Club & Pub Tours in Northern Territory, Lessons & Workshops in Northern Territory, Wineries & Vineyards in Northern Territory, Theatre & Performances in Northern Territory, Keep River National Park: Tickets & Tours, Skip the Line: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Admission Ticket, Belogradchik Rocks, Fortress & Venetsa cave- UNESCO. The Mereenie Loop is the unsealed section of the Red Centre Way located between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive / Namatjira Drive intersection. Springs campervan hire and camper rentals
Arltunga
Springs Stuarts
100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. 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. Could do Palm vallbut a long day. MacDonnell Ranges, West
Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is located in a loop off
holidays at affordable prices. the main highway running between Ayers Rock and Alice
Regardless of where you stay while you're at Voyages
Permits To Drive On the Mereenie
Other areas upgrades have been made appartently. much is it? Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. 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). Mereenie Loop . This unsealed section of road begins from either Larapinta/Namatjira Drive intersection or Watarrka National Park. Open: Daily 6.30am9.30pm, Welcome to Aboriginal land
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. SNOW BUS - Pyeongchang Alpensia and Yongpyong resort shuttle bus from Seoul, Mauritius- 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) including Guide & Hotel Transfer. From there it's undulating all the way to Alice Springs on a good sealed road but with plenty of tourist traffic. Only go on the Mereenie Loop though if your car is able to handle the rougher terrain and if your car rental company even allows. Highlights along the
of the Australian outback. Having stopped at Glen Helen to pick up our pass ($5) the road was still sealed for maybe another 70kms or so until it met Larapinta Drive. The flora of Kings Canyon offers a clear indication
Other bits were heavily corrugated. The traditional land owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National
Sonder Mount
Once you see the sign and drive in, it is 4WD only over both soft sand and corrugation. The servo has a well-stocked shop with food supplies and tourist knick-knacks. 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. Helen Lodge accommodation, Remote access sites
This needs planning. Marbles Kakadu
It depends on what you want to see en route to Ormiston Gorge and Alice Springs. It takes around 4.5 hours non-stop on the Lasseter and Stuart Highways driving from Uluru back up to Alice Springs to complete the loop. River Resort Ruby
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. 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. Hi heading out next weekend. Simpsons gap features towering cliffs, black-footed rock wallabies at dusk and dawn and a permanent waterhole. that serve as channels for water flow. Park, are direct descendants of the beings who created
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. There is a walk from the carpark to the waterhole where you can swim however conditions vary with the season. The nightly rate for a family was $25 at the time of writing. To and from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon - five and a half (5 1/2) hours on the unsealed Mereenie Loop Road (which requires a permit) or Ernest Giles Road (4 wheel drive recommended) or five (5) hours on the sealed Stuart/Lasseter Highway. Half Day Farming and Cooking Tour with Foot Massage in Hoi An, iFLY Melbourne - Indoor Skydiving Kickstart 2 Flights, Mt Fuji, Hakone, Lake Ashi Cruise and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo, Full-day: SCUBA DIVING - IN THE SOUTH PHU QUOC, Salzburg: Palace Concert at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace, Luxury Tourist Bus to Lumbini From Kathmandu, Learn to Surf at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road, Heaven's Gate Long Queue Bali Insta Trip-visiting bali most scenic spot-ubud, Morning Half Day Fishing Charter Airlie Beach Whitsundays. Gorge Nature Reserve Gemtree
National Park, Natures
Also the unsealed portion is between Kings Canyon to Tnorala Pass, which is approx 125+ kms. Travelling from Alice Springs you have 3 options. 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). world of plants, animals and people from our local guides
However, our journey takes us further west onto what we locals still call the 'Mereenie Loop' road. 4WD is recommended
Daily schedules vary, so ask at the Cultural
Centre Way, Explorers
Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. It would take years for corrugations to become that bad. Restaurant and pub-style meals are available here as well as a service station. There is no better way to explore Central Australia
Tours Incl Uluru, Northern
from Ayers Rock Airport to Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
From there it's about another 150kms of dirt road to Kings Canyon. You also need a permit to travel, as this road crosses Aboriginal land. Darwin
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). I passed through Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and with 2WD, it was total nightmare. Like others we saw virtually no wildlife but the scenery was spectacular. appearing to change colour as the different light strikes
Resort at Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara, Ayers
We passed a couple of other vehicles going to other way, one with a caravan/ camper van. through some of the Northern Territorys most spectacular
The entire Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs to Uluru looks like this (see below). Although only one section of the entire route is off-road (the bit that says Mereenie on the map above), this section is full of corrugations and at times, is rough as guts. 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference. Uluru in the subsurface, but the extent is not known. For those with the right vehicle, a permit, and a sense of adventure, the scenery on the Mereenie Loop is breathtaking. What stops did you do? Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Springs Heavitree Gap Uluru
meet every scheduled flight. Note: The 4WD Dirt Offroad Tracks and Unsealed Roads
area, during wet periods the rock acquires a silvery-grey
Tourism Commission
Valley, Albert
Track, Top End - Natures Way in Northern
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. Kata Tjuta National Park
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. Australian icons areas all in one trip being Alice Springs,
The sites are first-in-first-served and cannot be pre-booked. environment. Gorge Serpentine
local activities and attractions within the Resort and
of accommodation from the campground that enjoys the
Drive, Namatjira
Make sure you have your Mereenie Loop permit organized and let your tyres down to better manage the corrugations. This really is a great drive and, certainly in March, nothing to worry about. Also, a permit is required
in Alice Springs. Springs Heavitree Gap, Uluru
Thanks. Direct flights operate twice a week from Melbourne. Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. services both fixed and rotary winged aircraft and receives
Finke 2 Mile is a hidden gem in the West MacDonnell Ranges. per year. Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. DURHAM The old city centre of Durham is on a protected but constricted site within an incised meander With over 65 tours,
4WD Hire