Wintjiri Wiṟu: The New Uluṟu Light Show

Discover the new cultural storytelling experience that is lighting up Uluṟu each night.

For the first time, visitors are receiving a privileged invitation to personally experience a Tjukurpa story, with the launch of Wintjiri Wiṟu in May this year. Uluṟu’s newest attraction is also its most culturally significant, telling a chapter of the ancient Mala story from Kaltukatjara to Uluṟu.

Aṉangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluṟu, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS.

The Wintjiri Wiṟu backstory

Venturing into the ancient Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is something you will never forget. Sacred to the Aṉangu people, Uluṟu holds secrets to many Aṉangu creation stories, or Tjukurpa (pronounced ‘chook-orr-pa’).

Tjukurpa is the foundation of Aṉangu culture and is what connects the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people to Country and their ancestors. It is all-encompassing. From important lessons on survival, to relationships and how to behave and the origins of the universe.

Passed on verbally through generations, you won’t find a book on Tjukurpa, and equally, you won’t be able to learn Tjukurpa stories on a whim. Aṉangu only share Tjukurpa with people they trust as it’s an intimate look into their culture.

Uluru at sunset — Tjukurpa is the foundation of Aṉangu culture and connects the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people to Country and their ancestors. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Not only is Wintjiri Wiru the world’s largest permanent drone show, with more than 1100 of the unmanned aerial vehicles taking flight, but it’s also the first time an Indigenous story has been told through lights, lasers, projection and drone technology at this scale and frequency.

Meaning a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’, the idea of Wintjiri Wiru came when light artist Bruce Ramus, through his world-renowned studio RAMUS , proposed to tell the Mala story using this technology.

The Rocks drones during Wintjiri Wiru — Wintjiri Wiṟu is the world’s largest permanent drone show. (Image: Getty Images for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

The formation of the Wintjiri Wiṟu Working Group , comprised of senior Aṉangu from Kaltukatjara and Mutitjulu, was fundamental in ensuring the Tjukurpa story was accurate and sensitively told. Listening was at the core of the entire creative process for Ramus. Understanding through listening deeply from the heart. This enabled him to choose technology that would complement the story and leave the environment in the same state he found it in. “Technology was entirely secondary to the primary reason for telling the story," Ramus says.

Over three years, RAMUS and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia developed Wintjiri Wiṟu with the working group, and their resulting creation is groundbreakingly complex and oh-so-moving.

Sunset over Kata Tjuta in Uluru — Wintjiri Wiṟu was developed over three years.

The Wintjiri Wiṟu experience

Arriving in time for the three-hour Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner experience, I step off the bus and am instantly greeted with evidence of the care taken to ‘tread lightly’ on Country. A floating path has been constructed using recycled ironbark to protect the environment underneath and allow the flora and fauna to exist without disruption.

The winding path takes me between tufts of spinifex and mulga scrub until I am greeted with a spiced apple tonic cocktail with Koala Gin from Indigenous-owned Beachtree Distilling Co. The flavours burst in my mouth as I look over and see Uluṟu shining bright as the sun prepares to make its descent for the night.

Ombre of colours of Uluru sunset — The 360-degree Uluṟu sunsets will leave you breathless. (Image: Emily Murphy)

The pure elation a 360-degree Uluṟu sunset evokes is almost indescribable. Complemented by the thoughtful culinary experience, the evening is off to an incredible start.

Mini lemon myrtle crocodile curry pies — The lemon myrtle crocodile curry pies are delicious.

The Wintjiri Wiṟu food and beverage options have been created in consultation with Indigenous culinary expert and chef Mark Olive and showcase native Australian produce and Indigenous bush foods from both Indigenous and Australian-owned suppliers. The menu matches the innovation of the show itself, with canapés such as gin-infused cucumber with green ants and lemon myrtle crocodile curry pie combining contemporary culinary techniques with native ingredients.

Canapes overlooking Uluru — The menu matches the innovation of the show itself, with canapés such as gin-infused cucumber with green ants. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Similarly, the show depicts the Mala story using modern technology and ancient traditions, resulting in a never-before-seen type of production. I take a seat at the front of the open-air theatre once darkness envelops the desert and watch as the tale starts to unfold. The drones shapeshift to tell the story of the Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) people and find remarkable expression, especially in the devil dog Kurpany, whose footprints remain embedded in Uluṟu.

Kurpany over Uluru in Wintjiri Wiru. — Wintjiri Wiṟu depicts the devil dog Kurpany, whose footprints remain embedded in Uluṟu. (Image: Getty Images for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

My already-high expectations for the show are completely exceeded. The intricacy of each drone and how all 1100 are choreographed with the lights, lasers, projection and sounds to tell the story is mind-blowing.

The surround-sound audio is spatialised within the platform where the audience sits, which contributes to the immersive experience. But more impressively, you can’t hear the audio if you aren’t at the show, further contributing to Wintjiri Wiṟu’s commitment to treading lightly.

The Songline drones in Wintjiri Wiru — Watch how 1100 drones are choreographed with the lights, lasers, projection and sounds to tell the story. (Image: Getty Images for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

The Wintjiri Wiṟu impact

“People from every place have come to see Uluṟu. Now we want people to come and experience our story in a new way. We want visitors to know this is our story, to look and listen and feel with us," says Rene Kulitja on behalf of the Aṉangu Working Group.

One of the Aṉangu narrators of the show, Denise Brady, tells the story of how her grandmother taught her the Tjukurpa Mala story when she was just a girl, and that now when she watches Wintjiri Wiṟu, she sees her grandmother and hears “the voices of our old people". A beautiful sentiment for a moving show.

Wintjiri Wiṟu sets the standard for how to properly tell First Nations stories and encourage tourism to these deeply spiritual places.

“We always have open arms for people to keep coming to Uluṟu," Kulitja says. “We are one world, and we want to share something special with you. Wintjiri Wiṟu is a gift to the world."

The Trees part of the Wintjiri Wiru drone show in Uluru — Wintjiri Wiṟu sets the standard for how to properly tell First Nations stories and encourage tourism to these deeply spiritual places. (Image: Getty Images for Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

How can I see it?

There are two nightly performances of Wintjiri Wiṟu from March until December – the three-hour Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner and the one-and-a-half-hour After Dark show . There will only be one show per night in January and February.

The Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner is $385 per adult and After Dark is $190 per adult.

Sunset over Uluru before Wintjiri Wiru — The Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner is $385 per adult. (Image: Emily Murphy)

Getting to Wintjiri Wiṟu

Qantas has direct flights to Uluṟu via Sydney on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Jetstar has one flight per day.

Staying at Wintjiri Wiṟu

You’ll find all sorts of stays at Ayers Rock Resort from outback camping to the luxurious Sails In The Desert, where rooms start from $475 per night.

Aṉangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluṟu, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS.

Be invigorated by the sights, sounds and landscapes of the Northern Territory.

If your 2026 travel goals focus on visiting inspiring and meaningful destinations, look no further than the Northern Territory. Rich in Indigenous culture, national parks and unique local cuisine, a journey deep into the Red Centre and Top End will awaken all your senses and leave you with lifelong memories. But you don’t need to do it on your own, as AAT Kings’ Small Group tours offer expertly led itineraries. They’re designed to take the guesswork out of travel planning and help you access remote regions in comfort while connecting with fellow guests, allowing you to delve deeper into destinations with insights from knowledgeable Travel Directors and local Indigenous guides.

As Small Group tours with AAT Kings have an average of just 16 guests, there’s ample opportunity to ask questions and make meaningful connections on every visit. Here are just a few of the experiences on offer, with adventures designed to invigorate every sense.

1. Under a Desert Moon dinner

Under a Desert Moon dinner in northern territory — Watch the stars come out over five courses.

Over five courses, dine under the stars during an unforgettable Outback dining experience. As day fades to night, lit only by the moon and the crackling fire, this outdoor dinner features locally sourced seasonal produce, matched with Australian wines.

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The best way to learn the stories of the Red Centre is by connecting with the land’s Traditional Owners. At the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, visited on AAT Kings Northern Territory Dreaming and Outback Contrasts tours, you’ll meet with members of the local Wanmarra community in Kings Canyon.

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Kungkas Can Cook set up at Simpson's Gap — Taste local bush delicacies. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Mel Brautigam)

The powerful senses of smell and taste are awakened on this exclusive experience led by Indigenous chef Rayleen Brown. Included in the Northern Territory Dreaming and Outback Contrasts tours, this is a unique opportunity to savour local bush delicacies and learn about Indigenous culture through the lens of food.

Brown, a recipe author and guest judge for MasterChef Australia, works solely with native ingredients directly harvested by women from the Alice Springs community. It’s a 100 per cent Indigenous owned and run business.

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woman walking by Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) — See striking Karlu Karlu. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom And Jesso)

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Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours — Experience this family-owned Indigenous experience. (Images: Tourism & Events NT/ Helen Orr)

Make authentic cultural connections when you visit Pudakul, a family-owned Indigenous experience on the Adelaide River Flood Plains. On your Small Group Northern Territory Explorer tour your senses will be inspired by the sounds of First Nations music, the taste of local bush tucker and the beauty of art.

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7. Aboriginal Bush Traders

artist at Aboriginal Bush Traders in darwin — Visit for the art, stay for a bite. (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ Shaana McNaught)

A visit to Aboriginal Bush Traders is the ideal introduction to the vibrant city of Darwin. This non-profit gallery, cafe and retail space supports Indigenous employment and is the perfect place to find a curated selection of ethical Indigenous gifts, including artwork and organic skincare.

Your Northern Territory Top End National Parks and Northern Territory Dreaming tours include an exclusive native flavour tasting, offering cultural insight before travelling deeper into the Top End.

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woman swimming in Leliyn (Edith Falls) — Cool off at Leliyn (Edith Falls). (Image: Tourism & Events NT/ As We Wander)

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Make 2026 the year to discover the flavours, culture and beauty of the Northern Territory at aatkings.com.

Taking flight at Wintjiri Wiṟu: Uluṟu’s breathtaking new light show