Alice Springs Travel Forum

I am interested in doing a self drive between Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, then on to Uluru, and back to Alice Springs. Are these good roads to travel on, are they sealed/paved?

I read on the Voyages website:
"Please note: the Mareenie Loop Road is an unsealed road for 197km of 337km, a 4WD is required. Alternatively travel via the Stuart Highway"

I tried finding this "Mareenie Loop Road," and have not yet located it. So I am wondering, I plan to rent a intermediate size car, no 4x4, can I get by with this rental. I don't need a 4x4 do I?

Can anyone help with driving information, road conditions, drive times, etc.? Any information is appreciated.

Thank you.

I can’t help you with the question you are asking, but be very sure you know what you are doing.
The Australian outback is NOT the place to be taking ANY kind of risk.
If they say use a 4 x 4, then use one.

Have a safe trip whatever you decide.

From my intro page about Uluru National park:

"For driving the Mereenie Loop Road - between Katapata Pass and Watarrka NP - we needed a permit from the Central Land Council, which we bought at Glen Helen Resort. We used a 4WD car; although I can not judge if it is absolutely necessary, although it felt quite comfortable to have some extra power on some bad parts and side roads.

There are plans to seal the roads between Kings Canyon and Glen Helen. If you do want to have a real adventure, you should hurry up, because on that moment this trip will lose a lot of its attraction and special charm.

We stayed in Glen Helen Resort, more or less luxurious, Kings Creek Station and Curtin Springs Station. The last two were very basic lodgings, but in our opinion more appropriate with the Australian Outback. And at least a lot cheaper than the more well known resorts at Kings Canyon and Ayers Rock.

Specially the day trip from Glen Helen to Kings Canyon was quite an adventure, totally on unsealed and sometimes bad gravel roads. Driving through the Australian desert with its red coloured sand, lots of green bushes and even trees in this wilderness, the white trunks of ghost gums in dry rivers. An amazing, stunning and breathtaking landscape, almost without other human beings and animals."

happy travels
Jaap

ps: read more about the planned sealing:
http://www.tourismnt.com.au/nt/system/galleries/download/Industry/DD_Project_RedCentreWay.pdf

Hi there.
I have done this trip a number of times.
I have hired a 4x4 if I am doing the Mareenie Loop section of the road. Otherwise if you don't a 4x4 isn't needed. The Mareenie Loop was in terrible condition a couple of years ago. I wouldn't do it again, too bloody bumpy.You don't miss out on anything by not doing the Loop, only thing you do miss out on is a sore *bum* from the bouncing around:)
The other roads are all sealed and you only need a normal sedan car.
It's such a great way to do this trip, no tour, just drive yourself.
You Leave Alice early, so you can call into the places along the way.I would stay in Alice for at least 2 full days. There are some great things to do in Alice.
Then a nice drive to Kings Canyon, where I would also stay 2 nights ( if you have the time) here you can do the top of the Canyon walk, this is good to do early morning, not so hot.
Then you head to Uluru. This drive is easy. Once at Uluru I again would suggest at least 3 nights/2 days. There is also heaps to do here.
It is NOT dangerous travelling either way. You are in the Aussie Centre BUT so are others, there is always someone around if you happen to come into some car trouble. Now there is even mobil phone coverage in most places.
You don't have to load up on extra water or fuel. Just an esky or cooler is handy for keeping drinks etc cold.
As per usual I do recommend that you don't drive after dusk. This is dangerous as the wildlife comes out and they play on the roads, not nice. There are a few wild camels/horses and cattle that do this. Not many Kangaroos in this area.
( You should also be careful travelling in daylight, it's just so much easier to see these animals:))

Gday,
Just to clear up a few comments by another replier.....
If you happened to take a wrong turn off Merriniee loop road or any other track you might take between Alice and the rock(unlikely, but possible)
You may not see another person or vehicle for DAYS!
ALWAYS carry plenty of water when travelling around the centre!
And there is very limited mobile coverage around Alice..infact once you get about 25km out there is NONE!
Sorry about disagreeing with the other person .....But I feel some of her comments were very misleading.

Cheers