Life
Uluru - Australia's Bush Tucker Capital
Ayers Rock Resort in the spiritual heart of Australia welcomes you to enjoy its range of bush tucker experiences from hunting to cooking, dining and more.
There's nothing quite as majestic as dining in the desert under a blanket of stars. On this particular night, though, while it's twinkling in the sky, it's also sparkling on the ground. With the striking sight of Uluru as the backdrop, the desert is awash with radiant frosted-glass spheres.
The evening is Ayers Rock Resort's A Night at Field of Light , exhibiting the work of internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. But it's not just the lights taking centre stage. As diners soak up the wondrous sights, they dine on native ingredient-focused dishes like Dukkah Seared Kangaroo Loin on Quandong Couscous with Native Mint Yoghurt.
This is just one of the under the night sky experiences on offer at Uluru. Another is the award-winning Sounds of Silence, where the fine dining menu also showcases native ingredients with highlights like House Smoked Crocodile on Mini Dampers with Desert Lime Preserve on the menu.
The pinnacle of Uluru's outdoor dining experiences is a table at Tali Wiru . Meaning 'beautiful dune', Tali Wiru is an incredible open air gastronomic experience offering a magical evening of fine dining. Set on a remote desert sand dune, it presents sweeping views all the way to Uluru in the distance and the domes of Kata Tjuta even further on.
This season's Tali Wiru menu features canapés such as Pan Seared Scallop with Gulgulk Buerre Noisette or Smoked Kangaroo and Kutjera Crostini, entrees including Pressed Wallaby with Fermented Quandong. Mains include Pan Roasted Toothfish with Carrot and Ginger Puree, Baby Heirloom Carrots, Sea Greens, Spiced Activated Lentils and Candied Lemon Aspen, to finish, desserts on offer are Textures of Chocolate with Davidson Plum, Lemon Myrtle and Quandong.
AUSTRALIA'S BUSH TUCKER CAPITAL
With so many native ingredients featured, it's no wonder Ayers Rock Resort has been dubbed the bush tucker capital of Australia.
But while Indigenous Australians have been eating a huge variety of native herbs, spices, fruits, seeds, insects and wildlife for tens of thousands of years, to most non-Indigenous people, these ingredients are a mystery.
That's where Ayers Rock Resort can help. Set in the spiritual heart of Australia, Ayers Rock Resort offers a range of captivating experiences. Among them is the Bush Tucker Journeys program, which brings ancient flavours to modern cuisine.
HUNT, GATHER, COOK
As guests gather on Ayers Rock Resort's Town Square lawn, a Bush Yarn is about to begin. During this free daily activity, a storyteller enthralls listeners with knowledge of the skills and precision needed by hunters to use spears, clubs and boomerangs out in the desert.
While hunting was obviously an essential way to gain sustenance, so was gathering. As the daily Garden Walks, another free activity, reveal, gatherers were adept at not only using the bush as a source of food, but also as a natural pharmacy where various remedies for a range of ailments were found.
Once the ingredients have been hunted and gathered, it's time for cooking. Featuring an Indigenous pantry of produce, from gorgeous desert figs to fragrant native lemongrass and vibrant harlequin mistletoe, the Bush Food Experience is a sensory showcase. Once the uses and flavours of these native ingredients, as well as the ancient ways they were prepared, are divulged, old meets new as guests learn how to make wattleseed shortbread.
ULURU 'FEASTIVAL'
The celebration of food and culture culminates with Uluru Feastival , a quarterly culinary event celebrating Australia's native flavours.
From open air fine dining to traditional bush tucker tastings, foraging tours and a masterclass with Bush Tucker Journeys' Ambassador and Indigenous chef extraordinaire, Mark Olive, every culinary experience combines local Indigenous culture with Indigenous inspired outback fare.
Upcoming dates for the Uluru Feastival are 18-20 August and 3-5 November 2017.
WHERE TO STAY
There's something for all tastes and budgets. Ayers Rock Resort comprises four hotels from the five-star Sails in the Desert, the newly renovated Desert Gardens Hotel and Emu Walk Apartments and the authentic Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge, and a campground featuring powered and non-powered sites.
WHEN TO VISIT
Uluru is beautiful year round, but most people choose to travel between April and October, when the days are vibrant and warm and the nights are crisp. Travel between September and November to experience the abundance of outback flora and wildflowers. While travelling between December to March means beautiful balmy nights and sun-laden days.
WHEN TO BOOK
It pays to book your accommodation as well as your tours well in advance, particularly if you're planning to travel between the peak months of April to October or during any of the school holidays. Ayers Rock Resort has many different accommodation styles at all different levels and budgets, so if you want choice then booking early is the way to go.
2 Night Uluru Package starts from $300 per person twin share
To book, visit ayersrockresort.com.au or call 1300 134 044 to discuss your Uluru travel plans.