Lights and lasers: Voyages Indigenous Tourism to illuminate Uluru

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is set to launch its light and sound show at Ayers Rock Resort in May.

The show will combine ancient Anangu storytelling with drone and laser light technology.

Called Wintjiri Wiru – which suggests a ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in the local Anangu language – this will be the first time a light, laser, projection and drone experience of this size has been performed on a regular basis anywhere in the world.

Anangu have one of the oldest living continuous cultures in the world and have been the custodians of this Country and its many stories, keeping them strong, since the beginning of time.

The show will bring to life a chapter of the Mala ancestral story which sits between Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and Uluru. Voyages has consulted and collaborated closely with the Anangu custodians of this chapter of the Mala story to obtain approval to bring Wintjiri Wiru to life.

Matthew Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages, said: “We are honoured that we can share the cultural importance of the Mala story with our guests, through such an illuminating and captivating experience in the spiritual heart of Australia.

“As custodians of the land and this part of the Mala story, the Anangu consultation group has carefully guided us on the Wintjiri Wiru experience, from conception to launch, to generously share their story with the world.

“We are delighted to be working with RAMUS through their light installations, projections, lasers and incredible drone technology, which coupled with the spine-tingling soundtrack of the Anangu inma, brings connection through a shared memorable experience.”

Designed and produced by media architecture studio RAMUS, the Wintjiri Wiru experience will illuminate the central desert with a spectacle of lights, projections and lasers shining on the spinifex and mulga.

The depth of the story is revealed when more than 1,000 luminous drones take flight each night to lift the ancient images to the sky. Through exquisite choreography and visual artistry, the drones depict aspects of the Mala story accompanied by a narration in Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages, and a soundtrack with traditional inma recorded with members of the local Anangu community.

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ayers rock resort matthew cameron-smith voyages indigenous tourism australia