Luxury Indigenous Experience: Ayers Rock Resort Spends $1.2 Billion on Renovation

Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network

Situated in the desert of central Australia, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a massive red rock with a history of 500 million years. It stands in the vast desert of the Red Centre and is recognized as both a World Natural and Cultural Heritage site. The Ayers Rock Resort is the only accommodation option in the area. Recently, it has renovated the five-star “Sails in the Desert” hotel with an investment of AUD 38 million (approximately NT$1.21 billion), which is expected to begin operations in October this year. The resort will also offer new complimentary Indigenous experience activities.

For the must-see sunrise and sunset views at Uluru, the resort has launched the “Sounds of Silence” dinner this April, with a maximum of 20 participants. Before the dinner, guests visit the viewing platform with French champagne in hand to watch the sunset over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Afterwards, they enjoy dinner in the sand dunes. Following the meal, guests gather around a campfire to sip coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while listening to Indigenous storytellers share legends about the stars and creation stories. Shi Dongrui, Executive General Manager of Sales and Marketing at the resort, said that the resort’s signature dining experience, the “Sounds of Silence” dinner, has been very successful for many years. The dinner aims to provide guests with a more private space and a premium experience. Each dish is carefully selected and prepared by renowned chefs and paired with fine Australian craft beverages.

The complimentary Indigenous experience activities are a new option for visitors aside from watching the sunrise and sunset at Uluru. These activities are held at the center of the Ayers Rock Resort and include Indigenous art classes, survival skills workshops, boomerang and spear-throwing lessons, garden walks guided by Indigenous hosts, as well as daily performances by the Wakagetti Indigenous dance troupe and an Indigenous art market.

The Ayers Rock Resort offers a variety of accommodation options, including the five-star Sails in the Desert hotel, the four-star Desert Gardens Hotel, the Emu Walk Apartments for families, the Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge suitable for backpackers, and various camping sites. Most uniquely, the resort features the ultra-luxurious 131 Outback Lodge, where guests can open their windows to face the world’s largest and most magical color-changing monolith.

● Read more: Taiwan’s Top 10 Overseas Destinations Series / Top 10 Must-Do Experiences for Working Holiday in Australia

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