More than 1,000 drones will soar over Uluṟu every night as part of a groundbreaking, new sound and light show experience for visitors.
The new Uluru attraction dubbed Wintjiri Wiru will bring together ancient Anangu storytelling with modern technology in a “first-of-its-kind” performance, which will commence 11 May 2023.
Presented by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, the Wintjiri Wiru experience will be the biggest light, laser, projection and drone show performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.
By telling the Uluru creation story of Mala, Wintjiri Wiru will also be the first Indigenous narrative of its kind shared on this scale and frequency.
Wintjiri Wiru means “beautiful view out to the horizon” in the local Anangu language.
“We are honoured that we can share the cultural importance of the Mala story with our guests, through such an illuminating and captivating experience in the spiritual heart of Australia,” Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO Matt Cameron Smith said.
“As custodians of the land and this part of the Mala story, the Anangu consultation group has carefully guided us on the Wintjiri Wiru experience, from conception to launch, to generously share their story with the world.
“We hope the Wintjiri Wiru show will nourish visitors’ thirst for a deeper spiritual connection with this very special part of Australia.”
Wintjiri Wiru will feature two shows every night from March until December (from 11 May), with one show operating each night in January and February.
Priced at $385pp, the main experience will be a three-hour Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, which runs from sunset to dark. Included in this are welcome cocktails and canapés during sunset, and a gourmet dinner featuring Australian native ingredients and premium wines.
Another hour-long experience called After Dark will comprise light refreshments at a cost of $190pp.
All visitors will be able to view the Uluru show on a sustainably-built platform when darkness has fully descended.
First Nations tourism growing faster than overall tourism
At a virtual media launch of the experience on Thursday, Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said there had been a surge in interest in First Nations-related tourism.
When international travellers come to Australia, she said, “they want to be welcomed by our people … they want to be immersed in our culture, and they want to experience our incredible natural landscapes”.
“But what we also know is that there is a growing interest in our indigenous story. And that’s increasingly important to people,” Harrison added.
“Our research is telling us that more and more people are taking it up, and in fact it’s growing at six per cent a year, which is faster than overall tourism is growing.”
For more information on Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, click here.
Check out the four great Northern Territory travel deals right on every Australian’s doorstep.
