Uluru is a place of great mystery to many Australians, but the area has completely transformed since the controversial climb was closed on October 28, 2019.

As part of Anangu’s bid to get the Uluru climb closed, they were encouraged to create other tourism revenues and that is how several new attractions were introduced to the area including Segway tours around the rock and the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner.

I was quite naive about what was about to unfold when I touched down with Virgin Australia, who recently announced flights from Melbourne and Brisbane kicking off on June 6 and 7.

It’s completely possible to visit The Red Centre on a budget but if you’re willing and able to splash some cash, you will have some unforgettable experiences. One might even say “bucket list worthy”. What one might not expect is that Uluru is a quiet place of luxury mixed with an adventure holiday.

Where to eat in Uluru

The trip was an absolute whirlwind of good food — and as a coeliac that isn’t something I can always say as my options are typically severely limited on the food front.

There are a handful of places to eat at Sails in the Desert, one of the many accommodation spots at Voyages’ Ayers Rock Resort, such as Walpa and Pira Pool Bar but if you’ve ever wanted to splash out on a meal I highly recommend Tali Wiru Dinner Under Stars.

Yes, it isn’t cheap with a price tag of $440, but it is worth every cent — and more, in my opinion.

Imagine this; the sun is setting over the back of Uluru. You’re handed a glass of sparkling wine and as you make your way up a dirt track, a man is heard playing the Yidaki.

You’re offered a mix of canapes such as mushroom caps stuffed with cheese and sun-dried tomatoes or duck with emu pate or kangaroo with natural ingredients. That’s all before you sit down with just 19 other guests to eat under the stars.

There is a four-course meal with wine pairing, with diners able to pick from three entrees, mains and desserts. Nearly everything was gluten-free bar the dessert and one canape.

However, the chef immediately prepared me versions that were – with no hassle or fuss.

I have eaten at Michelin star restaurants and I can hands down say that there was something so incredibly special about this night. It outweighed every dining experience I’d ever had with some of the best food I’d ever eaten.

The ncredible atmosphere of someone playing traditional instruments and sharing local stories about how the Anangu people used the stars, topped the night.

Another excellent dining experience is the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, which has a significantly lower price point than Tali Wiru at $295 for adults and $125 for children.

The three-hour experience includes cocktails with Beachtree Gin, an Indigenous-owned distillery, and canapes overlooking Kata Tjuta and Uluru as the sun sets. You’re then handed an individual hamper featuring seafood, cured kangaroo and emu as well as dessert and wine. Again, my having coeliac disease caused absolutely no issue.

You’re then treated to another beautiful experience – a sound, light and drone show telling one of the local ancestral stories.

It’s a super fun way to help kids understand a little bit more about the First Nations community. However, there is a risk that winds will prevent the drones from running. But that doesn’t mean the night is over. The light and sound show is just as incredible without it. For my experience, it only worked for half of the 20-minute show, but everyone was handed a partial refund as they didn’t get the full experience.

Where to stay

There is one resort in the entirety of Uluru — Ayers Rock Resort — but it has varying levels of accommodation. There is the campground, the Outback Hotel and Lodge, Emu Walk Apartments, the Lost Camel Hotel, Desert Gardens Hotel and Sails in the Desert. I stayed at Sailys in the Desert, which is the more luxury brand. I opened up my balcony door to a view of Uluru. Like, how cool is that? There is a pool with a cocktail bar, a tonne of restaurants, a day spa and there is a handful of shops not too far away. There is something for every budget.

What to do

I am not a morning person but trust me, you will kick yourself if you don’t get out of bed early to watch the sun rise over Kata Tjuta and Uluru. There are several ways to do this. My personal favourite was watching the sunrise while riding a camel named Curly who had a penchant for biting people. Every camel’s personality was as unique as a puppy’s and I was absolutely there for it.

Riding a segway around Uluru while listening to someone give insight about some of the Anangu history was also a very fun and unique way to visit the rock. The actual hike around Uluru is about 10km so if you’re not used to walking a lot, this could be an easy way to do it. But, be warned, there are some obstacles on the ride. Seeing Kata Tjuta and Uluru from the skies — aka a helicopter ride — is also an unforgettable experience. It’s almost as though there is an “adventure element” still alive and well in the area despite the climb being stopped — and rightfully so. But, I think it’s a brilliant way to keep that energy going.

The hike between two of Kata Tjuta’s peaks is also a highlight, especially with a guide to tell you about some of the artworks and what certain plants are used for.

But for a truly authentic experience to learn about the Anangu people, I think the best place to visit is Maruku Arts and Walkatjara Art. It’s a brilliant place to learn more about what certain imagery means in Indigenous art, as well as a chance to hear local history. It’s genuinely one of the most meaningful moments of my life. It’s a moment of clarity getting to hear someone share their culture with you, something no one should ever pass up.

Maruka Arts has been owned by the Anangu people for more than 40 years and has become one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal-owned-and operated organisations with 900 artists from 20 remote communities.

How to get there

There aren’t many ways to get to the centre of Australia with car or flying being the only two options. However, this has been made a lot easier with Virgin Australia announcing from June 6 there will be four flights from Melbourne to Uluru and four return flights every week. There will also be three flights every week from Brisbane to Uluru from June 7, as well as three return flights.

This writer travelled to Uluru as a guest of Virgin Australia