Appreciate that first sighting

It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment when you see Uluru for the first time. The sheer scale of the monolith, the shimmering colours of the sand, the vast sky... all create such a unique atmosphere.

This dramatic landscape has both cultural and spiritual significance, so you need to respect any restricted areas for taking photos and videos. Uluru - previously Ayers Rock - stands 348 metres high in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and 40km west of this is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. These rock domes date back 500 million years and I’d recommend combining the two during a visit to the area. Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have huge Aboriginal significance for the traditional Anangu landowners.  

See the Field of Light

The Field of Light is a critically acclaimed art installation at Uluru by Bruce Munro – and it is incredible! At dusk, just as Uluru is cast into silhouette, lights illuminate and spread across the desert landscape. We got to enjoy a desert barbecue at sunset and it was exciting to see the first lights on the landscape.

The Field of Light was supposed to be a temporary installation. The piece has been staged in many locations around the world, but Uluru is the place that inspired its creation, so it feels right that its stay has now been extended indefinitely. Munro ascribed an incredible feeling of energy to the red desert, stating "There was a charge in the air that gave me a very immediate feeling which I didn't fully understand. It was a moment when I felt at one with the world".

Stay at Longitude 131°, and you’ll have an exclusive area from which to view the lights, allowing you to walk uninterrupted along the pathways in the Field of Light just as the tiny buds are sparking to life!

Stay at Longitude 131°

If you want to wake up to views of Uluru from your bed, the small and exclusive resort of Longitude 131° should be top of your list. It is a five-star eco-sensitive camp within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with Uluru-facing ultra-modern tents.

My tip is to book Table 131 during your stay, a fine dining experience paired with Australian wines. It’s the southern night sky that really steals the show during the meal and the lodge’s guide will offer you a tour of the sky, bringing in stories of Greek Gods and Aboriginal creation tales from the Red Centre. 

Hike the Uluru base walk

Hiking the Uluru base walk and exploring Kata Tjuta is a great way to learn about the area’s culture and geology. We did this with a guide at sunrise and learned about Tjukurpa, the belief system that underpins all Aboriginal knowledge. It is a complex system that defines religion, law, and morals and is based on an idea that their ancient ancestors created and brought life to the earth during the Dreaming, or Dreamtime.

The stories shared were at the Tjukurpa (introductory) level, but you’re encouraged to visit sacred sites across Australia to gain a deeper understanding. The stories brought a different level of appreciation to an already wondrous place.

Experience a Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner

I was so impressed by the Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner. We were greeted with a cocktail and canapes, served as the sun began to set. We sat on individual picnic blankets laid out on the crest of a dune, with incredible views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, whilst personal picnic baskets were handed out.

As it grew darker and darker, a drone show sprang to life, telling the Mala story with choreographed lights, lasers, and projections. It was a modern and high-end experience - better than other 'luxury' options available at this special time of day - and a fantastic way to hear an ancient Anangu story.

Suggested itinerary

You can pack a lot into 15 days with our help. We’ll arrange a private tour of Sydney with a local guide, a VIP tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, and a cruise around Sydney Harbour while enjoying a three-course meal. Stay at Longitude 131°, an astounding luxury camp. We’ll arrange for the team to greet you with Champagne on arrival before some of these signature experiences, including the Field of Light art installation and dinner at Table 131.

In Queensland’s Tropical North, relax in a lodge in the Daintree Rainforest and spend some time at the Great Barrier Reef before exploring the very best of Melbourne. The city is attracting big-named hotel brands, and we’ll put you up in the InterContinental Melbourne at The Rialto, a beautiful and historic building listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. After a full-day tour of Phillip Island with an expert ranger for the chance to see wallabies and penguins, we’ll whisk you off to the rolling vineyards of Barossa Valley. 

Travel style

This is a high-end handcrafted tour of Australia, staying in some of the best hotels, luxury camps, and lodges in Australia. You’ll fly into Sydney and back out of Adelaide after a two-week adventure packed full of experiences and private tours with expert guides and rangers. We’ll arrange a premium car and driver between hotels and airports, and internal flights are also included. Your handcrafted tour also features boat trips: from a luxury lunch cruise of Sydney Harbour, a sailing to the Great Barrier Reef, and a trip along the Daintree River.