Larapinta Drive (Mereenie Loop) NT

IMO, it could normally be expected to be quite ok for 2wd BUT you need to check with local area authorities prior..... any rain in the weeks prior can really upset the planning .... recent grading activity plays a part too. They should know that stony sections and corrugations could well be in the mix.

Hi Cathy,

Well if June/July last year is anything to go on, the 2WD (and 4WD for that matter) would want to be a good sturdy one, and you/they should expect suspension damage and blowouts/snake bites.

The corrugations were serious, the pot holes a foot or more deep in places, and wheel ruts to boot - quite a bad stretch of road - admittedly this was after some serious rain, but despite NTTC trying to make it a more commonly travelled route, it is still not very enjoyable in a 2WD or a 4WD.

Then again, after they've graded it, it is fine with quite fast speeds possible in many places, but put that volume of tour buses through there, as well as other big 4WDs etc., and it soon gets out of hand.

Best to revist the question closer to the date (like a week before). If all else fails, it is almost as quick to drive back to Alice and down to Lasseter Highway and then Luritja Road to Kings Canyon and a much smoother ride.

Like most roads like that it is doable slowly, but it is a bl**dy long way travelling slowly! Nothing that particularly makes it any better for 2WD or 4WD unless it is muddy except perhaps clearance for the big pot holes.

There is not much on the road of interest bedsides stinky horny camels, donkeys and horses (lots of them though) - and the odd view of Gosse's bluff and a rugged pass so the road lacks redeeming features - until you get to King's Canyon of course - hopefully DEH will have finished all the repairs they have been doing and the rim walk will be fully open - it is in my view, the better of the big 3 Central attractions.

Ciao for now
Andrew.

Yep.....and re King's Canyon - make time for the rim walk if you can - it's the highlight of the region ! If you can crack a morning circuit, with a clear blue sky, you may never forget the place ! The short valley walk is ok, but "nothing at all" by comparison with the rim !

Except for tourists swimming in the "garden of eden" pool - part of the appeal for the outback to me is the natural environment - the old "take photos and leave footprints" bizo - the tourists should look from above in my view - close the track down there - hell - they even leave rubbish there at times.