Australia’s Northern Territory introduces new immersive indigenous experience in Uluru

A new attraction in Australia’s Northern Territory celebrates the connection to Country at Ayers Rock Resort in Uluru, the spiritual heart of the nation.

Titled Sunrise Journeys, the early morning sensory experience transforms the desert landscape into a 200m by 300m canvas as a modern Indigenous artwork is interpreted into a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. 

The entrancing spectacle uses state-of-the-art animation technology to showcase the artistic expertise of Aṉangu, the Traditional Owners of Uluṟu.

The two-hour storytelling experience sets the scene for nature’s most spectacular show: the dawn of a new day as Uluṟu glows fire-ember red. 

A contemporary homage to indigenous culture

Central to Sunrise Journeys is a bespoke painting created by three renowned female Aṉangu artists: Selina Kulitja of Maruku Arts; Denise Brady of Kaltukatjara Art; and Valerie Brumby of Walkatjara Art. 

Titled Ngura Nganampa Wiru Mulapa, which translates from Pitjantjatjara to English as “our Country is truly beautiful”, the painting depicts a modern telling of the artists’ shared connection to these lands. 

During Sunrise Journeys, this painting is interpreted on the desert landscape using laser, light and video projections, while narration from the artists themselves enhances guests’ understanding of the rhythms of the natural world.

Brady says of the collaboration: “Our hearts burn with passion to share our Country and knowledge with the world. We have created [this spectacle] to invite people into our culture and share our way of life.”

The​ accompanying musical score is composed by local Aṉangu musician, Jeremy Whiskey, from Indulkana community in the  Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.

A harmonious mix of art and technology

As one of the world’s most remote locations, the landscape of Uluṟu brings both unique challenges and opportunities for technological artistry. 

At a sustainably constructed open-air amphitheatre, six 30w lasers, seven 12kw projectors and 30 bright field lights work in tandem to tell a spectacular visual story. 

Meanwhile a state-of-the-art audio-surround system with spatialised audio tracks gives audiences the sensation of being completely immersed or surrounded, as they would in a movie theatre.   

To create the stunning visuals, designers from award-winning visual experience firm Mandylights traced a high-resolution photograph of the painting by hand and divided it into over 170 digital “pieces”. 

These were animated with video and laser software to match the music’s pace and artists’ narration.