2 May 2024
As Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru marks its 40th birthday, the world-renowned operator has announced two brand-new Indigenous-inspired, culturally immersive experiences, Sunrise Journeys and Australian Native High Tea, to connect guests even more deeply to the spiritual heart of Australia.
Sunrise Journeys
The desert becomes a canvas for an animated Indigenous art experience called Sunrise Journeys - Uluru's all-new early morning cultural and sensory immersion.
Sunrise Journeys is a collaboration between three Anangu artists, Selina Kulitja (Maruku Arts), Denise Brady (Kaltukatjara Art) and Valerie Brumby (Walkatjara Art); Anangu musician and composer, Jeremy Whiskey; and expert visual experience creator, Mandylights, whose recent work includes the Harbour Bridge and city lighting for Vivid Sydney and the Chayong International Light Festival in Beijing.
Together the prolific female artists collaborated on a bespoke painting titled Ngura Nganampa Wiru Mulapa. Meaning "our Country is truly beautiful" in Pitjantjatjara, it depicts their deep shared connection to Anangu culture and the Country.
As guests take their seats before dawn on a sustainably constructed floating platform overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the artwork is recreated on the vast, dark desert landscape below using cutting edge lasers and projection technology. Indigenous iconography - similar to those commonly seen in dot paintings - begin to gently ebb and flow across the land.
Local musician Jeremy Whiskey's bespoke musical score is coupled with natural soundscapes and melodic narration from the artists, enriching the sensory experience. The combination of gently pulsing lights, music and ambient noise creates a deeply mindful experience before guests enjoy the stillness and wonder of an Uluru sunrise.
Following the display, guests enjoy a hearty breakfast of native flavours paired with an Australian chai tea.
Denise Brady, Kaltukatjara Art, says of the Sunrise Journeys collaboration: "Our hearts burn with passion to share our Country and knowledge with the world. As the sun rises, we look forward to creating a future together."
The 2.5 hour Sunrise Journeys experience operates daily from 1 August 2024 and is priced at $125 pp for adults and $75 pp for children, including breakfast, hot drinks and return coach transfers in air-conditioned comfort. It is timed conveniently before flight schedules to allow guests to fit in a morning tour even on departure day.
The original painting is available to view at the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA).
View images for Sunrise Journeys here.
Australian Native High Tea
One for the foodies, this new culinary experience celebrates native ingredients sourced from Central Australia and around the country.
Each afternoon, guests will have the opportunity to sample a selection of handmade sweet petits fours and savoury light bites together with fine tea, coffee and Australian sparkling white wine, showcasing the unique culinary heritage of Australia.
Designed for guests seeking to rest and reconnect after a morning of exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, particularly during the warmer months when afternoon outdoor touring options are fewer, the Australian Native High Tea appeals to both international and domestic travellers.
The 1.5 hour Australian Native High Tea will be served daily at Sails in the Desert. Prices start at $75 for adults and $45 for children.
View images for Australian Native High Tea here.
Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, operators of Ayers Rock Resort, says: "Long before travelling with purpose was a trend, we've been focused on our purpose to promote responsible tourism. As we mark 40 years of delivering exceptional hospitality and innovative experiences, we're thrilled to announce that we're expanding our offering with two new cultural and Indigenous-inspired experiences at Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru.
"We're deeply grateful for our partnership with these exceptional Anangu artists - Selina Kulitja, Denise Brady, Valerie Brumby and Jeremy Whiskey - and their trust in Voyages and Mandylights to help bring their vision to life through Sunrise Journeys," he concluded.
Richard Neville, CEO of Mandylights, says: "An opportunity to bring such a beautiful artwork to life across one of the most spectacular landscapes on earth is rare. We are profoundly honoured to collaborate with the Anangu artists and to work at a new time of day - where even the sun will play a role in the experience."
The two new experiences join Ayers Rock Resort's rich variety of tours and experiences that showcase the culture and natural beauty of the region, including the recently launched drone show and cultural storytelling experience, Wintjiri Wiru; the critically acclaimed Field of Light Uluru by internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro; the hall-of-fame-award-winning Sounds of Silence outdoor dining experience; and the recently hatted Tali Wiru - the highest rated dining experience in the Northern Territory.
When it launched in May 2023, Wintjiri Wiru set the industry benchmark for Indigenous collaboration and respecting Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights following three years of consultation. Sunrise Journeys continues this commitment to community engagement, leadership, and respectful tourism at Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru.
For more information, visit your local travel agent, www.ayersrockresort.com.au, or phone 1300 134 044.
Wintjiri Wiru Acknowledgment Statement: As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.
