Longitude 131: glamping in Uluṟu's glorious shadow

Longitude 131° may be remote, but a stay at this luxury lodge is far from roughing it.

As I approach Longitude 131°, I’m gently spritzed by a cool cloud of mist emitting from the lodge’s entrance. It’s a welcome respite from the all-consuming heat. And it sets the tone for what’s to come – an oasis in the desert that delivers otherworldly comfort in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Longitude 131° may be located in the remote red desert that surrounds Uluṟu, but a stay at this luxury lodge is far from roughing it. Here, you’re handed Champagne at reception. All-inclusive three-course meals serve up Australia’s finest produce with a bush tucker twist.

Longitude 131°, part of the Baillie Lodges portfolio, is a luxury wilderness experience like no other. Here’s the rundown.

a rocky and rugged landscape in Uluru — Rugged landscapes surround Longitude 131°. (Image: Tourism NT/George Apostolidis)

First impressions

I’m handed a glass of Champagne at reception and sink into a plush lounge by the window. Outside, a patchwork of red earth billows out before me, extending all the way to the hulking outline of Uluṟu. I’m in the Dune House – the beautifully appointed communal hub of the lodge where guests gather for meals or sundowners. The area is decorated with Indigenous artwork and woven sculptures from the Central Desert, which guests can purchase as a memento of their time here.

dune house at longitude 131 — The Dune House is the hub of the lodge. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

The rooms

Longitude 131° comprises 15 luxury tents and the ultra-decadent Dune Pavilion, a two-bedroom villa with an expansive deck and its very own private plunge pool. The views are the undeniable headline attraction; each tent showcases a clear, magnificent view of Uluṟu that can be enjoyed from the balcony or the comfort of the plush king bed. The Dune Pavilion has views of both Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa – the only accommodation in Australia that takes in vistas of both World Heritage-listed wonders.

Lounge at Longitude 131 Dune Pavilion — The Dune Pavilion features a lounge area made for a king. (Image: Tourism NT/ George Apostolidis)

The rooms have undergone a recent refurb, leaving the space feeling refreshed and airy. The safari camp-inspired design and neutral colour palette add a feeling of lightness – a perfect contrast against the parched desert landscapes outside. The room is elegantly appointed and decorated with Indigenous art. Everything one needs for their stay has been thought of in advance: there are fly nets in the cupboard as well as a hiking backpack for guests to use.

Room interior at Longitude 131 — The view from one of 15 exclusive luxury tents. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

The bar is well-stocked with goodies that are replenished daily. I find an array of Aussie snacks and beverages that make for a delicious charcuterie board to savour on the balcony. The roomy patio consists of a sprawling daybed, lounges, and a gas fireplace to keep you cosy after the sun goes down.

Longitude 131's collection of pavilions provide jaw-dropping views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. (Image: Tourism NT and George Apostolidis) — Longitude 131°’s collection of pavilions provide jaw-dropping views of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT and George Apostolidis)

Food and drink

I didn’t think I’d find some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in one of the most remote parts of the country. But Longitude 131° calls in top-quality produce from across the nation, plating up a taste of Australia’s finest flavours for each meal.

For breakfast, guests can enjoy an a la carte menu with elevated brekkie classics like smoked salmon with potato rosti or sumptuous blueberry pancakes. However, there is a range of pastries to grab and go if you’re rushing to depart on an early morning tour.

Lunch and dinner are three-course fine-dining affairs, served with a recommended wine pairing. Native bush ingredients are often incorporated into the menu, making the dining experience a unique reflection of the place. If you’re feeling something more low key, there are plenty of casual dining options like fish and chips.

food at longitude 131 — The food at Longitude 131° is world-class. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

In the Dune House, there is an extremely well-stocked open bar that contains everything from bush-tucker-inspired green ant gin from the NT to French Champagne. Guests are welcome to make themselves a drink whenever they like. If you fancy yourself a mixologist, there are cocktail shakers and a dizzying range of liquors and garnishes ranging from candied orange peels to native pepper berries. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the friendly staff are always willing to assist with recommendations.

Dune House Open Bar Longitude 131 — Make yourself at home with a well-stocked open bar in the Dune House. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Menus change every day, and all food, drinks and alcoholic beverages are included in your stay.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Experiences

Longitude 131°’s Signature Experiences are included with each booking, making for a seamless experience exploring Uluṟu. One the experiences included in my two-night stay was the Mala walk along the base of Uluṟu. A knowledgeable guide explained the unique features of the landscape, the customs of the Aṉangu Traditional Owners and the important Creation stories (or Tjukurpa) tied to Uluṟu. The walk was capped off with canapes and drinks, which we sipped while basking in awe of Uluṟu in the day’s final light.

walpa gorge longitude 131 signature experience — Exploring Walpa Gore as part of Longitude 131°’s signature experiences.

However, the most memorable experience was Table 131°, al-fresco dining in a secluded space draped by a glittering blanket of stars. Before dessert, a guide talked us through the constellations, astronomy and mythology of the southern sky. I returned to my tent to find a swag set up on the balcony outside, the fireplace blazing and a tray of Baileys and snacks set out before it. I continued stargazing long into the night.

table 131 at longitude131 — Enjoy a meal beneath a blanket of stars at Table 131°. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Other experiences included Bruce Munro’s Field of Light, a light art installation of mind-boggling scale; A walk through Kata Tjuṯa’s Walpa Gorge; And a sunset viewing of Uluṟu with drinks and canapes.

Facilities

Pool

There are two pools at Longitude 131° – a larger pool perfect for swimming, and a plunge pool with incredible views of both Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa.

There are well-stocked mini bars at both pools, meaning guests never have to reach too far to enjoy a tipple.

pool at longitude 131 — Cool off by the pool. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)

Spa

Spa Kinara (which means ‘moon’) brings a bush medicine twist to traditional therapies. The spa is modelled on the design of the ‘wiltja’, shelters made by the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Traditional Owners. You’ll find everything from Kakadu plum, quandong and desert lime to Australian yellow clay and desert salts.

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Sustainability

Longitude 131° is engaged in sustainable initiatives, both culturally and environmentally. Most notably, their artists-in-residence program invites artists from remote communities to stay at the lodge and paint with a view of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa.

Service

Thoughtful touches like homemade native lemongrass popsicles that greet guests upon return from excursion truly elevated the experience. I didn’t have time to sit down for the a la carte breakfast one morning, so a staff member thoughtfully packed me a small bag of pastries to take away instead. The details and the level of care for guests truly make a stay at Longitude 131° a luxury experience in every sense of the word.

Details

Getting there

Longitude 131° is a short drive from Ayers Rock Airport. You can fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

Staying there

There is a two-night minimum stay at Longitude 131°. Prices start at $3780 per night for a Luxury Tent and $7380 per night for the Dune Pavillion. The price includes all dining, an open bar with Champagne, premium wines and spirits, an in-suite bar, signature experiences and return Ayers Rock Airport transfers.

What to do there?

Signature Experiences are included in your stay, but private expeditions can be booked to explore the protected cultural and natural landscape of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

The Northern Territory isn’t just different – it’s a whole new world. From the friendly locals and varied landscapes to its cultural layers, there’s nowhere else in Australia quite like it.

The Northern Territory has to be experienced to be believed. The majesty of Uluṟu doesn’t quite hit until you’re standing before it. The untouched beauty of Arnhem Land strikes the heart in a way you can’t imagine. The quirky and friendly locals and the festivals they throw impart stories that won’t be forgotten. And that’s just the beginning. From natural hot springs and local larrikins to deep cultural ties and ancient stories, these are the experiences to be discovered only in the NT.

1. Swim in pristine natural hot springs

woman swimming in Katherine Hot Springs only in the nt — Dive into Katherine’s crystal clear thermal springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Backyard Bandits)

The NT’s natural hot springs are truly picturesque. Katherine’s crystal clear thermal springs sit on the banks of the Katherine River, framed by nature. Picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks make it easy to linger.

In Elsey National Park, the teal waters of Bitter Springs have long been popular with locals. It’s not uncommon to spot turtles as you drift with the gentle current, palm trees waving on the banks. The park also contains Mataranka Thermal Pool, a sandy-bottomed swimming hole sitting at a cosy 34°C year-round.

2. Explore the Red Centre Light Trail

Light Towers Kings Canyon — Head to Kings Canyon to see the Light Towers. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is more than just a place; it’s earned its name as Australia’s cultural heart. Here, a wealth of stories is held by its Traditional Owners, the Aṉangu. And while there are many ways to connect, in more recent years, the Red Centre Light Trail has offered visitors one more way to interpret all this landscape holds.

Wander the Light Towers at Kings Canyon and watch the Field of Light transform the land before Uluṟu as day turns to night. Also, be sure to take in Wintjiri Wiṟu by light artist Bruce Ramus, sharing the Aṉangu’s Mala story.

Arrive in April to experience Parrtjima, a free annual 10-night festival of light, featuring installations, workshops and more.

3. See unrivalled views from a helicopter

helicopter ride over kakadu only in the nt — See Kakadu from the air. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Sean Scott)

There’s no better place in the world to hit the skies in a helicopter. Soar over thundering waterfalls, world-famous wetlands and the floodplains of Kakadu National Park. A bird’s-eye view brings a special type of magic to this one-of-a-kind landscape.

You can also meet local characters on the pub crawl of a lifetime as you fly between some of the NT’s best and most remote pubs.

4. Discover the start of Western Arrarnta art

Hermannsburg Potters only in the nt — Book ahead to visit Hermannsburg Potters. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Felix Baker)

Hermannsburg is one of the most unique towns in Australia. This historic mission town holds several claims to fame, including being the birthplace of Western Arrarnta art – a renowned style of Indigenous art using vibrant, naturalistic watercolours to depict Central Australian desert landscapes. Book ahead from April to September to visit Hermannsburg Potters, a collective of dedicated Western Arrarnta artists.

Other options to see this art style near Alice Springs include the Araluen Arts Centre, Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye).

5. Spot crocs on a cruise

Crocodile being fed on a cruise on the Adelaide River nt — Spot wild crocs up close. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

The NT is the only territory that feeds wild crocs, putting the ‘wild’ in wildlife spotting experience. Join a cruise along the Adelaide River, just an hour from Darwin, to see these not-so-gentle prehistoric giants in their natural habitat.

Be sure to stop into Humpty Doo or Noonamah for lunch on your way back to Darwin. Here, you’ll experience a real NT roadhouse.

6. Experience local Indigenous cultures

young participant at the Garma Festival Nhulunbuy arnhem land — Time a trip to Nhulunbuy for the Garma Festival. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

The NT offers some of the best opportunities to experience the world’s most ancient living culture. Head to Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem mid-year for the Garma Festival, Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, with four days of song, dance and art sharing Yolngu culture. Stop into Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in nearby Yirrkala while you’re there, current home of the Yirrkala Church Panels. Painted in 1963, they form one of the first ‘title deeds’ to Country.

Join a celebration of Indigenous music, art, culture and sport at the Barunga Festival, 80 kilometres from Katherine, every June. And year-round, book an Indigenous-led tour through Ubirr, one of the oldest rock art sites in Australia.

7. Meet the larrikins of Alice Springs

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta — Henley on Todd Regatta might be one of the NT’s whackiest events. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/

Head to Alice Springs at any time of year and you’ll be guaranteed to meet some colourful locals. But to really get to the heart of the eccentricities, mark a few dates on your calendar.

March brings one of the best Pride events in the world, fabAlice. Inspired by the iconic Aussie movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which was filmed in Alice Springs over 25 years ago, the festival has a strong focus on the art of drag and celebrates LGBTQI+ communities, as well as self-expression in general.

Come August, Todd River’s typically dry, sandy bed comes alive with the world’s only dry river boating event, the Henley on Todd Regatta.

8. Swim in a waterfall with no one else around

Upper Cascades in Litchfield National Park — Swim in the Upper Cascades with no one else around.

So few of Australia’s most beautiful places remain untouched, but that’s not true in the NT. Take a short hike through monsoon forest in Litchfield National Park (just over an hour’s drive outside of Darwin) to reach the secluded Cascades swimming area. Here, take a dip in the lower or upper cascade pools, both surrounded by rugged bushland. And you’ll probably have it all to yourself.

Plan your Northern Territory trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com.