New sunrise multimedia show and local afternoon tea

“We first referenced the changing seasons in the countryside, watching the clouds form, listening to the sounds of the storms, and then new life was born in the desert,” explains Rich Neville, CEO of Mandylight.

“We always kept in mind that we wanted to do justice to the original work. With technology, it’s easy to get caught up in it and go crazy with it – but our goal was to go back to the roots and keep referencing the original work so that every laser cue was based on an actual point in the painting.”

The two-hour Sunrise Journey experience includes a locally sourced breakfast on the viewing platform, as Uluru comes alive in the sun. The experience is the result of Ayers Rock Resort’s first commercial partnership with the Anaguru Traditional Owners and includes a sunset drone and laser show called Wintjiri Wiru.

Wintjiri Wiru, which launched in May 2023, tells the ancient Tjukurpa creation story through the use of 1200 drones, seven projectors and six lasers, and its artistic collaboration raises the bar for respecting and rewarding Indigenous cultural intellectual property.

While technically impressive, this brilliant show is far from a Disneyfication of a conventional story, with its profound imagery and evocative, languid Anaṉgu narration causing one to stop and think against a natural backdrop that is never obscured by artificial means.

“When guests come to Uluru, we feel a responsibility to leave them changed, enriched and learning more about the culture and the Anagu way of life,” said Matt Cameron Smith, CEO of Aboriginal Tourism Australia, which operates Ayers Rock Resort Uluru.

“Sunrise Journeys advances our commitment to authentic, meaningful and responsible cultural tourism. It is a true honor and privilege to work with the region’s leading artists and share their unique connection to their natural environment.”

With more than 100 visitor experiences listed on the Ayers Rock Resort website, there is plenty for visitors to enjoy in the Red Centre. Sunrise, sunset and nights under the stars are obviously the best times, but during the hottest part of the day, especially in the warmer months or the rainy season, there are fewer relaxing activities to do indoors.

That’s why Ilkari Restaurant at Sails in the Desert has launched a new culinary experience – Australian Aboriginal Afternoon Tea. Celebrating the Aboriginal flavours of Central Australia and beyond, this daily offering is a wonderful introduction to ingredients found in the desert, infusing unique flavours into traditional afternoon tea desserts and savoury snacks.

After I sipped a rosy Bellini cocktail, executive pastry chef Graciela Jonen laid out a three-tiered silver platter in front of me. From bottom to top, the delicacies included a barramundi lemon aspen saffron tart, a fennel myrtle fig finger sandwich wrapped in brie and prosciutto, a mini burger topped with roasted pumpkin, Warrigal vegetables and bush dukkah feta, and a mini wrap wrapped with Barossa smoked chicken, lemon myrtle and sun-dried tomato.

But it was the sweet temptations that had me salivating… lemon myrtle scones topped with tangy quindon jam and cream; chewy saltbush caramel ‘Tim Tam’ – a delicious finger-licking lemon almond tart; and wild rose flower mousse, sweet heaven. Paired with a glass of Kakadu Sunset Tea from Blak Brews, an Aboriginal-owned tea company that recently won the Australian Food Star With Gordon Ramsay.

The ingredients for Jonen’s “garden” are literally just the desert wilderness outside.

This red-earth country—turned green after a few years of unseasonal rains—is rich in produce, and families and communities come together to enjoy food and socialize.

Artist Denise Brady sums it up well in her account of Sunrise Journey: “We gather in special places across the country. Nganamampa Waltjapiti Unkinguruour families from different places gathered together.

“We danced and sang together, healing our souls. We felt a spiritual connection… We sat together, sharing food and knowledge. We shared with love and respect.”

detail

fly
Jetstar flies to Uluru daily from Sydney and Melbourne. Jetstar Airways

Stay
Ayers Rock Resort offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury camping at Latitude 131 to apartments, hotels and camping facilities. Rates at the four-star Desert Gardens Hotel start from $420 per night, with a minimum stay of three nights. View ayresrockresort.com.au

experience
The daily two-hour sunrise tour experience is $125 for adults and $75 for children. It includes roundtrip coach transfers and a seasonal, locally sourced breakfast. View ayresrockresort.com.au/sunrise-journeys

Sails in the Desert serves Australian Afternoon Tea daily for $75 for adults and $45 for children. View ayresrockresort.com.au/experiences/high-tea

The writer was a guest of the Australian Aboriginal Tourism Tour. voyages.com.au