Australia’s outback shines brightly in 2023

A wave of new art installations is sweeping across the Australian outback with the region shining bright throughout 2023.

Visitors can enjoy a vibrant calendar of art and cultural festivals.

“The Red Centre is home to some of our most significant Aboriginal art movements,” said Scott Lovett, CEO Tourism Northern Territory.

“This year further cements the Territory’s position as a world-class cultural destination.”

New Northern Territory attractions include:

Interactive Arts

The Wintjiri Wiṟu Experience, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park – From May 2023

The newest experience, launched by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, sees iconic Uluru in a new light. The Wintjiri Wiṟu Experience is a twice nightly state-of-the-art, drone and laser light show that will illuminate the desert sky. It features over 1,000 drones weaving a kaleidoscope of colour. Created in consultation with traditional land owners, the show tells the Mala story, of great importance to the Aṉangu people. Book the signature Sunset Dinner to enjoy welcome cocktails and canapes on the sunset amphitheatre platform overlooking Uluru.

Bruce Munro’s ‘Light Towers’

Renowned British light artist Bruce Munro returns with his new illuminating extravaganza, ‘Light Towers’. This follows the success of Munro’s Uluru-based ‘Field of Light’, which has received international acclaim. Munro’s ‘Light Towers’ is a display of 69 towers, each made up of approximately 220 bottles filled with fibre optic cables. It forms a new multi-million-dollar partnership with the Kings Canyon resort. Enjoy both Munro’s illuminating art installations as part of a Red Centre adventure, accessible by road along the Red Centre Way.

Other unique arts events include:

Darwin Festival, Australia’s hottest winter arts festival from 10 – 27 August Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, one of Australia’s most significant internationally recognised arts events, 11 – 13 August

New galleries and museums

Hermannsburg Historic Precinct

Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment, the newly appointed Hermansburg site is a completely new visitor experience. The Aboriginal settlement of Hermannsburg is famous as the home of Aboriginal landscape watercolour artist, Albert Namatjira. It’s also one of five National Trust-listed historic precincts in Australia.

Ayeye Atyenhe Art

Join an aboriginal art workshop in Alice Springs and immerse in Arrernte culture with renowned Aboriginal artists, Marie Ryder and Kevin Bird. Ayeye Atyenhe Art celebrates and supports the work of talented Indigenous artists from around the Northern Territory, Central Australia and North-East Arnhem Land

GOCA (Gallery of Central Australia)

GOCA is a commercial gallery where everything’s for sale. The gallery at Ayers Rock Resort boasts a remarkable collection of works from art centres across the Central and Western Deserts. Remarkable because the art represents almost 20 communities in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.

Luxury Accommodation & Camping

There are several new accommodation openings in the Red Centre including Drover’s Dream at Kings Creek Station, with 10 new eco premium tents with views of George Gill Range from private decks. BBQ dinner hampers, fire pits and a Bushman’s breakfast are included. For self-drive travellers there is a choice of new campsites including Kings Canyon Resort and Glen Helen Lodge and Ntaria Campground and Outback Store at the newly renovated Hermannsburg precinct.

Outdoor Dining

The ‘Under a Desert Moon’ dining experience, which comprises a 5-course wine-paired dinner has a refreshed menu with a focus on bush ingredients and native flavours. This year also celebrates 10 years of the Tali Wiru dining experience at Ayers Rock Resort. Tali Wiru, meaning ‘beautiful dune’, encapsulating fine dining under the Southern Desert sky.

This open-air restaurant boasts magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta.

Stargazing Sleepover

Earth Sanctuary’s Sunset to Sunrise tour  is a new premium program and astronomical camping experience! Enjoy an award winning astronomy tour with canape dinner, drinks and campfire nibbles. The tour includes access to Earth Sanctuary’s Space Observatory with an experienced astronomer. You may witness zodiac constellations, meteor showers and other cool astro events. Wake up at sunrise to breakfast before a guided morning walk. This is a unique outback camping experience, perfect for couples.

More information and travel inspiration at www.northernterritory.com

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