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Larapinta Drive is a designated state route in the
Northern Territory of Australia. It forms the primary
road access to the community of Hermannsburg, as well
as a number of tourist attractions located west of Alice
Springs, including the Alice Springs Desert Park, West
MacDonnell National Park, Kings Canyon, monuments dedicated
to Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira and Royal Flying
Doctor Service founder John Flynn, as well as Albert
Namatjira's house near Hermannsburg. Larapinta is the
local Arrernte name for the Finke River a major watercourse
in the area.[1]
The length of Larapinta Drive is marketed as part
of the "Red Centre Way" tourist drive.[2]
With the adoption of a state route numbering system
of rural roads maintained by the Northern Territory
Government in 1987, state route designations and signage
were applied to Larapinta Drive. State route 2, from
Alice Springs to Glen Helen follows Larapinta Drive
as far as Namatjira Drive. From Namatjira Drive to Watarrka
National Park, state route 6 signage applies.[3]
Road conditions on the route are varied. Travelling
west from the Stuart Highway the road is a divided dual
carriageway for approximately 1 km (0.62 mi), crossing
the Adelaide-Darwin Railway at grade and forming the
boundary of the suburb of Gillen and industrial area
of Ciccone.
The road continues as a single carriageway beyond
this point except for a short section of approximately
600 m (2,000 ft) in the suburb of Araluen. Beyond Alice
Springs, Larapinta Drive is sealed as far as Hermannsburg.
West of Hermannsburg, the road conditions are suitable
to four-wheel drive vehicles as it is a dirt track and
it is advisable to check road conditions before travel.
This section is also known as the Mereenie Loop Road,
and permits are required to enter traditional lands
when travelling this route.[4]
Source and credit to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larapinta_Drive
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