Merenie Loop in April

Thanks Zippo!

PS: You need to get a permit ($6 from memory) at the Kings Canyon resort office before making the trip

Thanks Wildmax!

Check the permits page here for the latest. Michelle usually keeps up to date. Last time I updated my permits page it was

"A Mereenie Loop (between Hermannsburg and Kings Canyon) can now be obtained FREE from the CLC office in Alice Springs, otherwise the permit costs $5.00 per car to cover the cost of the brochure when purchased at the Alice Springs tourist office, and they allow a three day travel 'window' with the permit being purchased up to five days in advance. Permits can also be purchased from Hermannsburg Ntaria Store $10.00, Glen Helen Resort $5.00 and Kings Canyon Resort $5.50. Out of town outlets may not allow the same flexibility of travel times. This permit is not available on line. "

We purchased ours in 2008 from Glen Helen for something like $5.00 total and had a few travel days because we were going into Palm Valley for a few days, then to Kings Canyon. We met a couple who had come the other way and purchased at Kings Canyon Resort - $5 per person and only one day to travel. Apparently the re-sellers can add what ever mark up they like.

MH, we purchased at the KC servo in mid-2014 and it was $6 per VEHICLE, not a per-person cost. Maybe the couple got their story wrong.

Just maybe at some stage in the ensuing six years, the staff member of the day had been told they were incorrect Zippo. I certainly passed the story on to CLC. I'm quite sure the couple were sincere about the conversation they'd had at Kings Canyon Resort only a few days prior, as they thought it was wrong too. They showed us their permit. More inconvenient than the cost was the fact they could only get it for the next day not ahead of time like we did, and for only one day's travel.

Just confirming I've contacted CLC and got the latest prices and details for the Mereenie Loop permit so this is now updated on the site. $2.50 if picked up in person from the CLC office in Alice Springs or $5 from the Alice Visitors Centre, $6 at Glen Helen, $6.50 from Hermannsburg, $5.50 from Kings Canyon.
No online permit option but yes you can nominate a window of travel.
My questions highlighted that their website was wrong and they said they'd fix it

EDIT: CLC have confirmed that their website is wrong. The permit is not $2.20 if picked up in person it is free. I have changed our webpages again just a moment ago to reflect this but their webpage has not yet been updated.

When we did it a few years back, we got our permit from Glen Helen Gorge.
baz

The permit-issuing chick at the KC Shell servo said to us it had to be a 4WD, not an AWD and not a 2WD. Having parked the Forester out of sight, "Yeah, right, it is". Permit issued. Can't see their issue, it would have been fine in any roadworthy 2WD.

Thankyou Baz and Zippo!

When we went through there in 2010, there were a few "locals" driving through in Ford Falcons.

Stu, as you've probably noticed that's the same in MANY areas served by roads that are classified as "4WD only".

Yup, I agree Zippo, although I went everywhere in a Holden 1 tonner years ago, mostly on dirt roads.