Mereenie Loop Road (Red Centre Way)

Introducing Mereenie Loop Road (Red Centre Way)

The rugged Mereenie Loop Rd begins just beyond Kings Canyon Resort looping northwest then east to Katapata Gap, about 26km west of where Larapinta Dr links with Namatjira Dr. In dry conditions the road is suitable for conventional vehicles with good ground clearance, though there are deep sandy patches and countless corrugations (call 1800 246 199 for latest road conditions). Be aware that 2WD hire vehicles will not be covered by insurance on this road. The Northern Territory government is planning to seal the route; however, the project has been on the drawing board for quite a while. Fuel is available at Kings Canyon Resort, Hermannsburg and Glen Helen Resort.

To travel along this route, which passes through Aboriginal land, you need a Mereenie Tour Pass ($2.20), which is valid for one day and includes a souvenir booklet with details about the local Aboriginal culture and a route map. Passes are available at Kings Canyon Resort, Tourism Central Australia Visitor Information Centre in Alice Springs, Glen Helen Resort, and Hermannsburg. There’s a rest area at Jump Up Lookout, 28km from Kings Canyon Resort, but note that camping is not permitted anywhere along the Mereenie Loop. It takes around 3½ hours to travel the 204km from Kings Canyon Resort to Hermannsburg. The road travels through low scrub, sand dunes and bare rocky ridges. Artificial highlights include a skeletal tree bristling with discarded tyres and car-body parts, and makeshift road signs – a rusty old 44-gallon drum carries a warning to slow down: ‘LIFT UM FOOT’, soon followed by another reading ‘PUTTUM BACK DOWN’!

About 156km from the resort, Namatjira Dr intersects from the north. Straight ahead on Larapinta Dr is Hermannsburg (44km), Finke Gorge National Park (66km) and Alice Springs (170km). Turn left for Tnorala (18km), Glen Helen Resort (73km) and Alice Springs (205km).

Last updated: Apr 21, 2010