Day 11 - The Mereenie Loop

  

A bit of wonky out the window photography in action!

Today we are headed for the West MacDonnell Ranges to check out the gorges.  

We've decided to take on the Meerenie Loop. Which is a rough, no, make that, very rough dirt road from Kings Canyon to West Mac Ranges.  

The dirt loop is just under 200kms and then 100kms on tar, to go by road it's about 600kms back up to Alice then out to the West Mac's.  

I had been a bit concerned about taking the van on the Mereenie loop, as I'd read about vans being shaken to pieces. However after talking to other campers along the way, and our neighbouring campers last night having just come from there, and descibing the first 60kms the worst, I felt a lot better about doing it, and that's what we came here for, ADVENTURE!

Scott letting some air out of the tyres.

We stopped at the start of the dirt and let the tyres down to 25 - 30psi on the van and the car, ready to take it steady on the corrugations.

Our permit on display on the dash with the help of
the Green Lantern and a crumpled tissue box.

At Kings Canyon Resort we stopped to buy the Loop Permit to allow us to travel through aboriginal land.

We also topped up the fuel - only $2.22 per litre as opposed to $2.57 at Kings Creek Station which was the dearest we have paid on the trip so far.  The Jeep uses unleaded and we were surprised that diesel and petrol were the same price.

          First stop was Morris Pass lookout, spectacular views back to Kings Canyon and a good spot for a scamper for a couple of little lads.

We'd only done about 15 - 20kms on the dirt and decided to crack the camper and take the cans out of the fridge in the van. I didn't want any cans exploding and making a mess and Scott had a different motive, he didn't want to lose any beers!

Off we go in a puff of dust.

They weren't kidding about corrugations!

Scott noticed lots of ants nests so we stopped to show
the boys what a white ants nests look like.

Wild Brumby's near the road.

Yes it does get graded, this was over the half way mark
and he had already done our side.  What a lonely job!

Decisions, decisions, Namatjira Drive.

Back on the tar, headed for camp only 100kms to go.

The scenery, mainly the mountain range which was so close to the road on the loop was worth every bump and corrugation.  Photo's don't do it justice but they are amazing, the earth must have been very angry 350 million years ago to have formed this.

Yesterday I said that Kings Canyon was my favourite day so far and it still is, but this rocky range along the loop has made today my fave drive day.

The loop was hard going as we had to slow down to 20kms in places as the corrugations are so deep and rough, the first 60 - 80kms took us a couple of hours to do.  At times we were right on the shoulder trying to find some smooth (ish) road.  At times I was quite worried about what was shaking away inside the van and how everything would end up when we stopped.

Would I do the Meerenie Loop again, yes for sure! Would I take a full van on it, not so sure?

At camp after assessment of the van - no damage inside
or out, a little dust around the edges and a small amount
inside but very little and nothing shook loose - happy days!

The car too had a little red dirt
sheen but pretty good considering
the road we'd just travelled.

The view from Tylers Lookout, the hills look like patchwork.

We were now in the West Mac's!

First stop before heading to camp was Redbank Gorge - some rock hopping and hiking.

Very intricate spiders web - nature is so cool.

Here's Dirt Boy in the sand.

Both boys trying to dig for water in the dry river bed.
Didn't have to dig down too far.

The rare pink and grey rock wallaby - oh no that's me!

Redbank Gorge - very pretty.

Every waterhole has a life ring in case of emergency.

Scotty Irwin checking out the water life.

 

Our itinerary for the next few days.

Home for the next 2 nights is Ormiston Gorge, our base to explore the West Mac's.

We've caught up to Toddy's Tours and are camped opposite so the kids (big and small) can enjoy a catch up for the next couple of days.

Highly recommend Ormiston Gorge campground, $25 per night for a family of 4.  The facilities include flushing toilets, shower and a kiosk.