1 April 2025
A captivating new short film taking viewers behind-the-scenes of the multi-award-winning Wintjiri Wiru - Uluru's cultural storytelling, drone, light and sound experience - is now available to view on YouTube: 'An Ancient Story Takes Flight'.
The world's largest daily drone show marks the first time an Indigenous cultural story has been told at this size and scale. Wintjiri Wiru ha been recognised with numerous international accolades, including 'Oceania's Leading Tourist Attraction' at the 2024 World Travel Awards; 'Industry Innovator' at the 2024 Skift Idea Awards; and silver at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in March 2025, in the category of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourist Experiences.
'An Ancient Story Takes Flight' provides an exclusive look at how modern technology and traditional Indigenous storytelling came together to create the award-winning show, and how the Traditional Owners of Uluru - the Anangu - guided every step of the process.
Following three years of deep consultation with the Wintjiri Wiru Working Group, the immersive experience tells a chapter of the Mala creation story using cutting-edge technology, including 1200 drones, lasers, lights and immersive soundscapes; and is accompanied by narration in Pitjantjatjara and traditional Inma (songs).
When it launched in May 2023, Wintjiri Wiru set the industry benchmark for respecting and remunerating Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and this commitment is enduring, with a long-term moneyline in place ensuring the community continues to benefit from sharing their sacred story.
CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia (operator of Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru), Matt Cameron-Smith, says the process of developing and ongoing execution of Wintjiri Wiru respects and reflects Anangu culture at every step of the journey.
“Cultural stories like the Mala Story must be told on Country - which is what makes Wintjiri Wiru so special. We worked with Anangu and ICIP experts like Terri Janke to create this visual documentary record - and take the story to the world in a way that is culturally appropriate,” he says.
“We hope this new short film encourages travellers from all around the world to visit Uluru and experience these deeply unique and spiritual stories, right here on the land where they belong.”
Rene Kulitja, on behalf of the Wintjiri Working Group, says Wintjiri Wiru plays an important role in ensuring the Mala story is able to be passed on from generation to generation.
"We are thinking about our future. We are looking forward and have created Wintjiri Wiru for the next generation, for our grandchildren."
"People from every place have come to see Uluru. Now we want people to come and experience our story in a new way. We want visitors to know this is our story, to look and listen and feel with us. Our stories have been here since the beginning, and [we] want to share this story with the world."
‘An Ancient Story Takes Flight’ initially launched exclusively on Qantas Inflight Entertainment in July 2024 to celebrate NAIDOC WEEK and went on to receive Highly Commended at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards. As well as YouTube, it’s now available for guests to watch daily at Arkani Theatre, Ayers Rock Resort.
To watch the 12-minute film, click here.
For more information, visit ayersrockresort.com.au or phone 1300 134 044.
