The Gen XY Lifestyle
Wintjiri Wiru combines Anangu storytelling with drones and laser lights.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia will launch a fully-immersive light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in May 2023.
The show is called Wintjiri Wiru, and combines ancient Anangu storytelling with state-of-the-art, drone and laser light technology. According to the organisers, this is the first time a light, laser, projection and drone experience of this magnitude has been performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.
In the local Anangu language, Wintjiri Wiru suggests a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’.
The show will bring to life a chapter of the Mala ancestral story which sits between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru.
The depth of the story is revealed when more than 1,000 luminous drones take flight each night to lift the ancient images to the sky. Through exquisite choreography and visual artistry, the drones depict aspects of the Mala story accompanied by a narration in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages, and a soundtrack with traditional inma recorded with members of the local Anangu community.
Visitors will be able to view the show on a sustainably-built platform atop a desert dune with stunning panoramic views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta nestled on the horizon.
Working with the Anangu community
Anangu have one of the oldest living continuous cultures in the world. They are the custodians of Australia and its many stories, keeping them strong, since the beginning of time.
Voyages has consulted and collaborated closely with the Anangu custodians of this chapter of the Mala story to obtain approval to bring Wintjiri Wiru to life.
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. 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.
Matthew Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages
Wintjiri Wiru show details
The Wintjiri Wiru sound and light shows will run twice every night, from March until December (from 11 May in 2023), with one show a night operating in January and February.
The signature experience will be the three-hour Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner which starts with welcome cocktails and canapes while the sun sets over Kata Tjuta and Uluru. This will be followed by a gourmet dinner hamper celebrating native ingredients and paired with premium Australian wines. Once darkness has settled the dramatic sound and light show will begin. The Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner experience includes return resort transfers and is priced at AUD$385 per person.
A second show each evening called After Dark is a shorter, one hour-long experience including light refreshments followed by the show. After Dark costs AUD$190 per person.
More information can be found at the Ayers Rock Resort website.
Photo credit: 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.
