The Northern Territory is now home to a new Red Centre Light Trail, cementing the region as one of the most unique multi-sensory travel destinations in the world.

Travellers can expect enlightening and expansive experiences that showcase sacred Aboriginal cultures, awe-inspiring landscapes, natural wonders and ancient stories in spectacular colour and light.

The Red Centre Light Trail is an epic six-day road trip adventure from Uluru to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon (or vice-versa). Along the journey, travellers can take in the Red Centre’s newest and most iconic outdoor light and sound experiences – from groundbreaking immersive story telling amongst starry skies, to sprawling desert light installations, and epic experiences showcasing the Red Centre’s stunning sunrises and sunsets.

For Bruce Munro, glass is always more than half full.

Among existing experiences, the Trail features two new, highly anticipated attractions, including Wintjiri Wiru, a cutting-edge, sound, drone and light show that launched this week in the spiritual heart of Australia, Uluru, and Light-Towers a newly launched light and sound installation at Kings Canyon, created by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro.

Both experiences are only a few hours’ drive apart, and the perfect way for travellers to experience the iconic Red Centre in both new and reimagined ways.

Existing trail highlights include Bruce Munro’s iconic Field of Light installation at Uluru; Alice Springs’ Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind which runs annually in April; and breathtaking sunrise, sunset and stargazing experiences across the Red Centre.

Bolstered by the new Red Centre Light Trail, the heart of Australia promises an unforgettable five-star feast for the senses, from sunrise through to sunset, and after dark.

From striking desert landscapes to awe-inspiring landmarks, immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences, magnificent skyscapes and, now, unrivalled light and sound shows, the Red Centre is a must-do destination for travellers seeking a holiday that’s different in every sense.

Red Centre Light Trail Highlights:

Wintjiri Wiru:
Voyage Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru

Launching this week and set against the breathtaking backdrop of Uluru, Wintjiri Wiru is a fully immersive light and sound show combining ancient Anangu storytelling with state-of-the-art drone and light technology.

Suggesting a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in local Anangu language, Wintjiri Wiru marks the first time an experience of this magnitude has been performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.

The show sees more than 1,000 choreographed drones, lasers, and projections light up the desert sky in a contemporary, artistic expression of the Mala ancestral story, accompanied by narration in local Aboriginal languages and a traditional Inma soundtrack.

Wintjiri Wiru was created in close collaboration with the local Anangu community, who consulted on the project, provided story narration and advised on the visuals.

Voyages will host two shows every night, from March until December, with one show a night operating in January and February. The signature experience is the three-hour ‘Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner’, which includes welcome cocktails and canapés at sunset, followed by a gourmet dinner hamper celebrating native ingredients and paired with premium Australian wines.

‘Wintjiri Wiru After Dark’, is a shorter, one-and-a-half-hour experience that includes wattle seed caramel popcorn and refreshing gelatos featuring native ingredients.

Field of Light:
Voyage Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru

Bruce Munro’s iconic Field of Light installation, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara, is his largest work to date.

Illuminated against the backdrop of Uluru and under a star-studded sky, this is a mesmerising installation of 50,000 spindles of light, whose stems sway through a coloured spectrum of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white.

Field of Light is available to book in three sessions: a self-guided ‘Field of Light Pass’; ‘A Night at Field of Light’ dining experience and star talk; and a ‘Field of Light Star Pass’, featuring panoramic views from an exclusive dune top, outback canapés and drinks.

Red Trail Light Towers.

Light-Towers:
Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon, Kings Canyon

Launched in April 2023, the Light-Towers installation is the second permanent light and sound installation in the Red Centre from world-renowned artist Bruce Munro, following his widely acclaimed Field of Light.

The installation consists of 69 two-metre towers that change colour in response to music emanating from within, taking guests on an immersive aural and visual journey against the stunning backdrop of Kings Canyon.

The experience is bookable in three ticketed sessions: ‘Light-Towers at Sunrise,’ ‘Light-Towers at Sunset’ and ‘Light-Towers by Night’. The sunrise and sunset sessions are both hosted by a local guide and include a food and beverage package. Guests of the ‘By Night’ experience are invited to take advantage of a revamped food and beverage outlet on the Luritja Lookout before or after their session.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light:
Alice Springs

The only Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima is an extraordinary, free and annual 10-night celebration of Aboriginal art, culture and music in April in Alice Springs. The program includes the illumination of the West MacDonnell Ranges, large-scale light and sound installations, workshops, films, talks and performances. The 2024 dates and themes will soon be announced.