Wintjiri Wiru is the breathtaking new light show coming to Uluru

The outback skies are truly spectacular. But there’s another light show coming to Uluru that’s guaranteed to take your breath away…

Come May, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is set to launch a sensational light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in Uluru. The immersive display is named Wintjiri Wiru, meaning ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in the local Anangu language. The show is rooted in the rich culture and history of the traditional Anangu landowners, and will bring to life a chapter from the ancient Mala story that recounts an ancient feud between the Mala people and the mulga-seed men. 

As custodians of the land, Anangu hold the Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru. To share their story from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, RAMUS designed and produced an artistic platform using drones, light and sound to create an immersive storytelling experience.

Wintjiri Wiru will join Bruce Murno’s iconic Field of Light installation at the resort. But unlike Field of Light, which sprawls spectacularly across the desert sands, this light show will take to the skies using state-of-the-art drone and laser light technology. Combining the ancient with the modern, Wintjiri Wiru marks the first time an Indigenous story has been told through this artistic medium on this scale.

Wintjiri Wiru is the first light show of its kind, fusing the ancient and the modern to bring Indigenous stories to life. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia as per above)

The display will involve more than 1,000 drones to illustrate mighty ancient images in the sky, as well as choreography, visual artistry and narration in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages. Onlookers will also hear recordings of traditional inma (ceremonies) from the local Anangu community (watch the video at the end of this article for a sneak peek).

Over 1000 drones will help bring the display to life. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia as per above)

Wintjiri Wiru has been created in close collaboration with Anangu community members, who consulted on the project, provided story narration and advised on the visuals. The show represents a growing interest among travellers to connect and engage more deeply with Indigenous culture and stories.

“We are honoured that we can share the cultural importance of the Mala story with our guests, through such an illuminating and captivating experience in the spiritual heart of Australia,” says Voyages CEO, Matthew Cameron-Smith. “As custodians of the land and this part of the Mala story, the Anangu consultation group has carefully guided us on the Wintjiri Wiru experience, from conception to launch, to generously share their story with the world.”

The Wintjiri Wiru light show has been brought to life in collaboration with the Anangu people, the traditional owners of the land. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia as per above)

The land that surrounds Uluru is steeped in history and culture. Watch it all emerge after dark from a specially-built viewing platform at Ayers Rock Resort, where artwork from a local Anangu artist has been cut into the architectural steel. Wintjiri Wiru is slated to be a spectacular and immersive light show, sure to give the dazzling outback sky a run for its money.

The signature experience will be the three-hour Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, where visitors can dine while watching the sunset over Uluru. Once darkness has fallen, the light show will begin. The experience includes return transfers and is priced at AUD$385pp. Alternatively, viewers can opt for a second show called After Dark, which is a shorter, one-hour-long experience with light refreshments, priced at AUD$190pp.