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6 Reasons Sails in the Desert is a Must-Stay for Every Australian
Written by Emily Jacobs
This luxury outback oasis perfectly captures the essence of Uluṟu, Australia’s most important cultural and spiritual site.
Set on rich red soil with 550-million-year-old Uluṟu as its backdrop, five-star Sails in the Desert couldn’t be better placed for discovering the culture and beauty of Australia’s Red Centre. This unmissable resort weaves rugged landscapes with modern luxury, offering a wealth of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, contemporary and expansive rooms, a sparkling pool and some of the region’s best restaurants and bars.
Read on to find out why Sails in the Desert makes for an unmissable escape.
1. It has five-star accommodation and facilities
A mirage of white, sail-shaped awnings signals your arrival. Sails in the Desert forms part of the expansive Ayers Rock Resort township, long lauded as a new archetype for Australian architecture that includes three additional hotels, the Emu Walk Apartments and a campground. Each of Sails in the Desert’s 228 rooms are designed with the utmost comfort in mind, featuring a private balcony or terrace, eye-catching Indigenous artwork and of course, dream-like bedding. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bathrobes and spacious ensuite bathrooms add the finishing touches.
Outside your enclave, cool off at the pool and curl up on a daybed with a cocktail or light meal from Pira Pool Bar. After days adventuring, treat weary legs to a soothing massage at the Red Ochre Spa. Visit Ilkaṟi Restaurant for breakfast, dinner or high tea featuring native Indigenous ingredients, and stop by Walpa Lobby Bar for coffee, lunch, dinner and drinks. The resort complex offers a wide range of dining options, including upscale grill restaurants, cafes, outback kiosks, barbecue areas, bistros and bars, with dining available to guests from any accommodation.
2. Immerse yourself in local history and culture with complimentary activities
With a range of complimentary activities, Sails in the Desert ensures you’ll always have something to enjoy. Listen to stories by a local storyteller and learn about tools used in daily life by the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Aṉangu People; walk through the resort gardens to learn about seasonal flora, fauna and traditional medicines with a local guide and embark on a bush food experience, where you’ll discover how to hunt, gather and prepare various delicacies.
Don’t miss a Gallery of Central Australia tour, where revolving exhibitions shine a light on established and emerging artists, or the Capturing the Cosmos documentary, which reveals the most recent radio astronomy research and technologies. Continue to dive into the world’s oldest living culture with a didgeridoo workshop or discover how oral storytelling traditions are being modernised through short documentary, The Making of Wintjiri Wiṟu.
3. Watch Uluṟu change colour at sunrise or sunset
Uluṟu requires no introduction. As a living cultural monolith, it is imbued with ancient wisdom, home to diverse animal and plant life and holds huge cultural significance for the Aṉangu People. Sails at the Desert puts you just a short drive away from this awe-inspiring landmark, best viewed at sunrise or sunset.
Come morning, join a tour to watch the colours of the sky dance across the rock from a private viewing site, then embark on a guided walk to learn more about the rich history and sacred significance of the region. Tours usually also include access to the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre, where you can deepen your understanding of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Should you opt for an evening experience, take a front-row seat with a wine or beer and nibbles as you absorb the jaw-dropping beauty unfold.
4. See the spectacle of the Field of Lights
Covering more than seven football fields, and using 50,000 spindles of light, artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Lights is a must-do with any stay at Sails in the Desert. Watch as the darkness of the desert is transformed into a sea of colour, swaying in shades of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white. Sails in the Desert runs regular coach tours to the installation’s remote corner, where you’ll be able to see the desert sands transform at twilight from a raised viewing platform.
Enjoy sparkling wine, beer and canapes as darkness falls and the lights, inspired by desert seeds springing to life after the rains, come to life. Once it’s dark, wander through the exhibition with a self-guided tour before returning to your luxury accommodation.
5. Connect to Country through the stories of Wintjiri Wiṟu
Wintjiri Wiṟu is a drone and laser show that comes to life in the sky over Uluṟu. Sails in the Desert offers three ways to immerse yourself in this cultural storytelling experience, which brings multiple scenes from ancestral stories to life through choreographed sounds, lights and projections.
Opt for the twilight or late-night experience, take a seat in the sustainably built theatre and enjoy Australian wines, delicious cheeses and a dessert selection while watching the show unfold with narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language, interpreted in English. Those wishing to upgrade can choose to add a sunset dinner experience, complete with cocktails and a gourmet hamper.
6. Explore the many heads of Kata Tjuṯa
Uluṟu isn’t the only magical formation in the Red Centre. Kata Tjuṯa, meaning ‘many heads’, is a 45-minute drive west and just as spectacular. It consists of 36 impressive domed rock formations, with the tallest standing at just over 1,000 metres high. Join a tour, like those run by AAT Kings, for a sensational sunset experience, or go at it by yourself – for an easy stroll, wander towards the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area for magnificent panoramic views or commit to the Waḻpa Gorge Walk or Valley of the Winds Walk, which take you between the domes, through creek beds and away from the crowds.
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Looking for more inspiration? Read Our Ultimate Guide to the Northern Territory.
