The drive from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs is usually driven via the bitumen highways, although there is another route that saves time and provides beautiful scenery.
The Mereenie Loop starts just past Kings Canyon. Morris Pass Lookout is about 20 minutes after Kings Canyon and a great free camp to stay at before you take the drive.
The shortcut is a relatively short section of dirt road, being just 155km’s. It is corrugated and has dips that are not well sign posted. It is advisable for 4WD only, although we passed several 4WD’s towing on road vans. When we spoke afterwards, some were glad they took their van and others thought, with hindsight, they probably shouldn’t have. The decision is ultimately yours, but remember the right tyre pressures make all the difference.
We drove about 80km/hr most of the way and enjoyed the drive. As a guide, we reduced our car and caravan’s tyre pressures to 30 psi.
Once you meet bitumen again you are entering The West MacDonnell Ranges. Amazing scenery and lots of walks and gorges to explore. The West MacDonnell’s are worth camping a few nights to truly appreciate their beauty.
Just a short drive from the Ranges and you are in Alice Springs.
A great little short cut on “the road less travelled”
Click the link below to see our footage of The Mereenie Loop drive, and our highlights of The West MacDonnell Ranges.
We did the Mereenie track in Oct 19 in 4 wd and loved it.I remember coming up near an aboriginal community and there on the side of the track was brightly painted 44 gallon drum with ‘lift em foot’ written on it.100 meters past it was a very dodgy turn in the road.Cultural road safety saves lives.Thanks for that.Neil Atkins.
We saw the same sign! Very memorable 😀