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Uluru shines bright during Bruce Munro's 'Field of Light' installation

Recently updated on November 27th, 2023 at 04:52 pm

The Field of Light Uluru is one of Australia’s most spellbinding experiences. Watch as darkness falls and the desert lights up with thousands of swaying stems in a dazzling display of colour. This is Uluru as you’ve never seen it before, and a truly unforgettable experience.

What is the Field of Light Uluru?

field of light uluru

Internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro created the award-winning Field of Light Uluru. After travelling to Uluru through the Red Centre in 1992, he felt inspired to create this spectacular light exhibition. Bruce felt such a deep connection to the desert of central Australia, that he returned to Uluru in 2016 for the installation of the Field of Light.

“I wanted to create an illuminated field of stems that, like the dormant seed in a dry desert, would burst into bloom at dusk with gentle rhythms of light under a blazing blanket of stars”

Bruce Munro

The Uluru light show is named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku, which means ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in the local Pitjantjatjara language. It’s massive, stretching across over nine football fields.

sunset over field of light uluru

You’ll wander through a fantasy garden of 50,000 swaying stems, topped with frosted glass spheres. The spheres are illuminated with changing colours, and you’ll see the brilliant violet, ochre, blue and white colours of the desert.

The exhibition is completely powered by solar energy and the spheres are connected with optical fibre which illuminates as darkness falls.

Field of Light Uluru opened on 1 April 2016 to critical acclaim and has since mesmerised over 200,000 visitors.

How can you see the Field of Light Uluru?

people admiring field of light uluru

This incredible art installation has been so popular, it has now been extended indefinitely. The show is only accessible through a pre-booked Field of Light tour. Trafalgar and AAT Kings guests can experience the exhibition throughout all of 2020, and into 2021.

You’ll have the chance to see the Uluru light show at night, but we’ll also take you on a unique journey in the darkness of the early morning. Wander through the magical field of lights, marvelling at the glittering spheres, before arriving at the top of a dune. You’ll enjoy tea, coffee or a hot chocolate before settling in to see the break of dawn.

Watch in awe as the sun slowly rises behind Uluru, flooding the land with dazzling pink, red, and golden hues. You’ll have the chance to take some spectacular photos from this raised location, with views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta in all their shining glory.

Where to stay at Field of Light Uluru?

people admiring field of light uluru

The Field of Light Uluru is located in a remote area near Ayers Rock Resort. When you tour the Uluru light show with Trafalgar, you’ll stay at Sails in the Desert, the 5-star hotel of Ayers Rock Resort.

This stunning hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the nearby Uluru lights. It features a gumtree lined swimming pool, several restaurants and bars, a luxurious spa and the Mulgara Gallery filled with the beautiful styles and stories of Indigenous art.

What else can you do at Uluru?

Watch the sunset over Uluru

sunset over uluru australia

Uluru is an icon of Australia and one of the most enchanting places to watch the sunset on the planet. Located in the spiritual heart of Australia’s Red Centre, it forms part of Kata Tiuja National Park. Uluru is a deeply sacred site for the local Anangu people, the traditional owners and guardians of the land. It’s the world’s largest rock monolith, soaring 348 metres into the sky, and one of the oldest natural sites in the world at over 550 million years old.

If you want to make your visit to this UNESCO site extra special, head there at sunset. We’ll take you to a unique viewing area where you’ll relax with a sparkling wine. As the light fades, the walls of Uluru transform into a kaleidoscope of colour. Marvel at the otherworldly orange and burnt red colours and soak up the magic of Uluru.

Learn about Aboriginal history and the Dreamtime

You’ll find Aboriginal culture and history across Australia, but it’s particularly significant around Uluru and Kata Tiuja National Park.

The region is home to the Anangu people, the traditional owners and protectors of the land. They are one of the world’s oldest people, with a history dating back over 60,000 years. The Anangu people share a powerful connection with their land, making this one of the most important places to learn about Aboriginal culture and history.

We’ll take you on a journey with a Local Specialist to some of the sacred sites of the region where you can learn about the history and Dreamtime rituals of the Anangu people. The Dreamtime is the beginning of life on earth and the foundation of Aboriginal spirituality. The ritual of the Dreamtime allows Aboriginals to pass down the stories and beliefs of their ancestors.

See the sacred base of Uluru and protected rock art and landscapes of Mutitjulu Waterhole. You can also visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to gain a deeper understanding of this ancient culture.

RELATED CONTENT: 10 experiences you can only have in Australia

aerial view uluru australia

Walk the Valley of the Winds

The Valley of the Winds walk allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta. You’ll join your Local Specialist for the two to three-hour walk, stopping at several spectacular lookouts along the way. You’ll see the blazing red domes and views over the sacred Anangu men’s area.

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