Darwin Trip.

The Mereenie Loop is an unsealed track that varies with weather conditions and heavy use. Road trains are frequent users and the track can become fairly corrugated.
Unless you have an off-road van, I would stick to sealed roads.

On the other hand, the Mereenie Loop can reduce traveling time and is an interesting drive.
From memory, the scenery is no different than anywhere else, but we enjoyed the trip along it and have the novelty of a permit/brochure to keep as a memento of our "paid toll road".

Hi Roy and Fiona

Unless it is a dedicated off road caravan, don't risk it. Take the "long way" round on the bitumen. It is a pleasant drive, but so are the other roads in the area. Depending on the condition of the Loop on the day, you will take a similar time either way.

Motherhen

Hi Roy & Fiona
As the others have said, it can be a very rough track. We put a hole in one of my Koni shocks last time around, and they are bullet proof.
Cheers
Rick P

Hi Roy & Fiona,

We travelled the Meerenie Loop 4 weeks ago, just after it had been closed for a few days after heavy rain in the area. We were towing our Jayco outback dove camper which is good for many tracks but is not a serious off roader. The track was pretty corrugated and stoney but for much of it we were able to sit on about 60km/h and everything survived ok. I always let some air from the tyres on these corrugated stony roads (both car and camper) which softens the ride and helps prevent punctures so take your time and drive to the conditions. I think the flying stones are likely to cause the most damage (to the camper / van or rear of your car) so good stone protection is important.
The loop drive is very pretty, changing landscape and lots of horses. Goss Bluff is worth a look between Kings Canyon and the West Mac's. We camped at Redbank Gorge for 2 nights (great sites, well set up and great swim if you make the effort to walk to the gorge) & Ormiston for 1 night (busier but still great spot).

Enjoy your trip it is a lovely area.
Cheers Stuart