Savour the stars at the Sounds of Silence

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Experience the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluṟu.

Kicking the red dust of Australia around your feet under a sky with more glitter and sparkle than a busload of Liberaces is a fulfilling experience that rewards forever.

This is a gourmet experience made not by the food, which is reasonable but not outstanding, but by the transformational effect of the unforgettable location.

Guests at the Sounds of Silence dinner start this experience with a canapé and drink on a private dune. It’s the perfect front-row seat for a sunset show starring The Rock.

Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru, Northern Territory

Guests at the Sounds of Silence dinner start this experience with a canape and drink on a private dune.

The atmosphere cools and Uluṟu goes from muted brown to brilliant red, epitomising the beauty of the ever-changing heart of Australia.

Transported to a private dinner setting, guests are seated with fellow travellers at round tables, still outdoors. Travel stories are swapped and friendships formed as the darkness rises. Suddenly the stars are all around you and there’s more shimmer than inside a diamond store.

A buffet is served and the camaraderie of people who have journeyed thousands of kilometres from all over the world connects the diners.

An astronomer appears from the gloom and reveals the amazing stories from all the lands about the stars, using a laser pen to pin each constellation in place against its velvet backdrop. The remarkable similarity of stories attributed to the same constellations across thousands of years and different cultures strengthens the connection between diners of different countries and continents.

This is a gourmet experience made not by the food, which is reasonable but not outstanding, but by the transformational effect of the unforgettable location.

Where: Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara NT

Did you know: The Pleiades constellation in Greek mythology is known as the Seven Sisters, who are being pursued by Orion. The same constellation in Central Desert Papanya mythology is interpreted as seven sisters being pursued by a warrior who lives in the middle star of Orion’s belt.

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It’s official! The Northern Territory’s best restaurant is in Uluṟu.

    By Emily Murphy
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    Australia’s most iconic rock now rocks the food scene.

    You already know Uluṟu as one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – but did you know it’s also home to the Northern Territory’s best dining?

    At the 2025 Hospitality NT Gold Plate Awards, Tali Wiṟu, the signature open-air dining experience at Ayers Rock Resort, was crowned Restaurant of the Year. The win cements Uluṟu as not only a bucket-list destination for awe-inspiring landscapes but also for world-class food.

    A fine-dining experience under the stars

    A table of people dining at Tali Wiṟu in Uluṟu

    Tali Wiru has a Chef’s Hat. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

    Meaning “beautiful dune” in the local Aṉangu language, Tali Wiṟu offers diners an unforgettable four-course banquet beneath the desert sky. Think native flavours like wattleseed, quandong, and desert lime woven into contemporary dishes, paired with premium Australian wines and uninterrupted views of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa glowing at sunset.

    It’s a recipe that has already earned Tali Wiṟu a coveted Chef’s Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide – making it the highest-rated restaurant in the Northern Territory and the only open-air restaurant in Australia to hold such an honour.

    More than one win for Uluṟu

    Dining at Arnguli Grill & Restaurant in Uluṟu

    Arnguli Grill & Restaurant won the Best Hotel Restaurant. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

    The resort didn’t stop there. Its Arnguli Grill & Restaurant, located at Desert Gardens Hotel, also took home the award for Best Hotel Restaurant, impressing judges with refined dishes that showcase premium Australian steak and native ingredients in an elegant yet relaxed setting.

    A taste of Country

    Tali Wiṟu in Uluṟu chef plating entrees

    The culinary philosophy is to champion bush foods and pay respect to Anangu culture. (Image: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia)

    For both restaurants, the accolades recognise more than just flawless cooking – they’re also a celebration of connection to Country. Central to Ayers Rock Resort’s culinary philosophy is championing bush foods and paying respect to Aṉangu culture. Native ingredients like lemon myrtle, kangaroo and desert lime feature heavily on the menus, offering travellers a true taste of the Red Centre.

    Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO Matt Cameron-Smith said the wins highlight their dedication to delivering world-class dining experiences.

    “These awards are a testament to the passion and creativity of our culinary teams, and to the unique cultural and natural setting that inspires everything we do,” he said.