Yulara

The Resort Town Square in Yulara has a handful of gift and souvenir shops filled with knick-knacks to take back home. The one to come to for the best choice of t-shirts for miles around is Ayers Rock Designs. Independent artists and designers of all styles are represented here, not only on t-shirts of all sizes and colours, but also on a range of giftware. A selection of outback essentials can be found here as well. A second store is located at Ayers Rock Airport.

First there was Indiana Jones, then came Crocodile Dundee, now there’s Bush Tucker. What may sound like a super pseudonym for an Outback adventurer is actually the Australian term for the food that Indigenous Australians have been eating for millennia. Herbs, seeds, fruits and spices, as well as insects and wildlife – each Bush Tucker Journey takes guests on a discovery of native flavours. From refined open-air dining to bush yarns and garden walks, participants learn about local Indigenous culture in some of the most magical settings in Australia’s spiritual heart.

Short of spreading wings, a helicopter or small aircraft ride is the ultimate way to discover the breathtaking beauty of Ayers Rock and the Olgas. A number of businesses provide this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Depending on the budget, tours range from 8-minute express sunrise and sunset tours to full day charters. Many are tailored to different interests, with a focus on wildlife, adrenaline, gastronomy or photography. Whatever the formula and whatever the time of day, passengers get the chance to see Uluru’s folds and curves, to fully appreciate its enormity and admire its rich colour scheme from a sensational new angle.

This is al fresco dining at its most sensational. Tali Wiru and Mayu Wiru are two exceptional dining experiences under desert skies. Both tours start with Champagne and canapés at sundown. Tali Wiru guests are then treated to a four-course meal paired with exquisite wines in a restaurant that has no walls, only unobstructed views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance. Mayu Wiru guests dine indoors before heading out to see the Field of Lights exhibition in all its desert glory. Both magical evenings include a stargazing session.

Maruku Retail Gallery gives visitors the chance to support Indigenous artists and learn about the culture of the Anangu people. Within the boundaries of Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, the gallery showcases the work of Aboriginal craftspeople living within the Central Desert Lands. Everything – wood carvings, paintings, tools, weapons, walka boards and more – is for sale here, and all proceeds are returned directly to the Anangu. Demonstrations are often on the agenda, an interesting way to gain insight into the symbolism used in Aboriginal art. And the shop posts purchases around the world, so baggage limits are of no concern.

Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and possums frequently come up when asked to cite typical Australian wildlife. Camels, not so often. However, there are increasing numbers of feral camels in Australia’s Outback. Imported in the 19th century for their ability to withstand extreme desert climates, they were used for transport until roads and railways replaced them for good. Or almost. Uluru Camel Tours has a flock of 60 well-looked-after dromedaries that take tourists out for an unforgettable journey across the desert dunes. Visitors can also have a look around the farm, museum and saddlery.

Hello darkness, my old friend… The Sounds of Silence experience begins at sunset with canapés, drinks and unparalleled views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance. As the sun gives way to the moon and stars, the sounds of a didgeridoo lead guests to their tables for a Bush Tucker–inspired meal featuring crocodile and kangaroo. Then the lights are turned out and the night sky comes to life. Blankets are always on hand to keep guests warm while a star talker decodes each constellation, planet and galaxy. Reservations fill up quickly, so it’s best to book well in advance.

It takes a while to get to Alice Springs, but the town that inspired the novel and film, A Town Like Alice, is well worth a visit. Before the establishment of Yulara, Alice was the gateway town to Uluru. It is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory and the only place to find a Target store for many miles around. While holidaymakers may not need the housewares items and clothing on offer here, the plaza features over 20 shops selling everything from gear and shoes to eye wear and jewellery.

Field of Light artist Bruno Munro has travelled the world with his moveable feast for the eyes. Inspiration for the luminary art installation came in 1992 during a camping trip at Uluru. It was then that the artist first felt the incredible energy of the desert and the urge to embody it in a large-scale work of art. In 2015, Munro was invited to set up his Field of Light in the place that inspired it all. Covering an area equivalent to over seven football fields, 50,000 spindly stems sway in the breeze just waiting for sundown so the colourful show can begin.

Open daily for breakfast and dinner, Ilkari has mastered the art of the bountiful buffet. Live cooking stations in the morning mean eggs as-you-like-them and fluffy pancakes made to order. At dinnertime, the buffet overflows with enticing dishes. A selection of starters includes antipasti, cold cuts, seafood and soups. Main courses can be anything from Asian favourites and pasta dishes to traditional roasts and grilled cuts of meat. For a taste of Indigenous cuisine, the signature dishes are a must. The star of the desserts buffet is the chocolate fountain and its yummy selection of sweets and fresh-chopped fruit.

A view to the horizon. That’s what Wintjiri means in the language spoken by local Anangu people. Looking out towards majestic Uluru, Wintjiri Arts + Museum bears its name well. There is something for everyone here. Culture buffs will enjoy a stroll around the museum section, learning about rock formations and local wildlife. Art lovers will find inspiration in the gallery, where works by resident Indigenous artists are proudly displayed. Shoppers find locally-made treasures to take home in the gift shop. And star-gazers can participate in a free daily astronomy session.

It’s not often one gets the chance to see talented Indigenous artists at work. The artist-in-residence programme at Mulgara Gallery provides this unique learning opportunity. Completed paintings and knick-knacks of all kinds – glassware, pottery, clothing, housewares – can be both admired and purchased as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. There is also a collection of tribal instruments, including rainsticks and didgeridoos. And handcrafted jewellery inspired by the colours, textures and fossils of Uluru and its surroundings.

There really aren’t many options to choose from when looking to fill the refrigerator, buy stamps or get a great cup of coffee around Uluru. Fortunately, the Town Square in Yulara has everything in the one spot: a well stocked supermarket, delightful gift stores, a newsagent, and a handful of cafés and takeaway outlets. Alongside groceries, the supermarket stocks basic medical and camping supplies. The square is also home to a hair and beauty salon, an ATM, a post office and an information centre where visitors can browse tour brochures and meet with the tour operators.

The history of Aboriginal dot painting, a deceptively simple art, is quite fascinating. Before the 1970s, the preferred mediums for these drawings were smoothed-over sand and bare skin. In an attempt to eternalise the ephemeral, art teacher Geoffrey Barden encouraged Indigenous students to apply their technique to canvas. However, this created a certain problem. Tribes used their drawings to pass down sacred knowledge which they didn’t want to reveal to others. So dots and wiggly lines were used to encrypt the meaning of each painting. Learn more about this sacred Indigenous art by signing up for a 1.5 hour Maruku Dot Painting workshop.

Of the many sacred sites in Australia few hold as much significance as Uluru, or Ayers Rock. According to its traditional landowners, the Anangu Aborigines, the great red rock was created by their spirit ancestors at the dawn of time. Geologists describe Uluru as an inselberg, which means ‘island mountain’. Its visible tip stands 348m above the ground. How far it stretches below ground remains a mystery – some say up to six kilometres. Its signature red tinge (due to rust in the sandstone) changes spectacularly at sunrise and sundown, inspiring legends, fuelling dreams and creating unforgettable holiday memories.