Longitude 131 Yulara

Nestled among rich red dunes, Longitude 131° overlooks Australia’s best-known natural icon, Uluru.

The welcome open spaces of the central Dune House include a restaurant and bar with ever-changing views of the monolith as a backdrop for dining as well as lounging areas in contemporary campaign style, ideal for relaxing with an icy drink and exchanging stories of the day’s adventures in the outback.

A stay with Baillie Lodges is to experience the luxury of travel. Each Baillie property is located in an extraordinary natural destination, with a personal experience of its culture and history, its art and natural heritage and local food and wine sourced from regional producers.

Together, the luxury lodges are timeless in design, with myriad thoughtful details combining to create a genuinely warm welcome, a generosity of spirit. Guest itineraries are designed to offer the most from each stay, creating a personal, lasting connection with the destination.

ROCK STAR
Uluru, star attraction in the Red Centre, is visible from almost every angle at Longitude 131°, from the end of the bed in guests’ luxury tents, from the Dune House and from the Dune Top lounge, one of the only places in Australia where the views sweep effortlessly from Uluru to Kata Tjuta.

DUNE HOUSE
The Dune House, with its panoramic views of the outback and soaring canopy is the hub of Longitude 131°. Guests dine in the restaurant, relax in the lounge or on the outdoor terrace and fix a sundowner in the bar. Local Aboriginal artworks create a vibrant space, ideal for planning the next adventure.

DUNE TOP
Perched high on the outback landscape, the Dune Top is an intimate space comprising a help-yourself bar, outdoor lounges and plunge spa with views to both World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Private dining pods offer a window to the flush of dusk in time for an intimate dinner under the stars.

THE HISTORY
Longitude 131° first opened to global acclaim in 2003, with its otherworldly gathering of safari-style guest tents around a central Dune House the creation of leading Australian architect Philip Cox.

Since taking the reins in 2013, Baillie Lodges has reinvented an icon with a three-stage multimillion dollar transformation led by award-winning South Australian architect Max Pritchard.

THE VISION
Longitude 131° was the third lodge in the Baillie Lodges collection, forming the outback star of the traditional Australian trio of visitor destinations.

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island sees wildlife roaming in the nation’s own Galapagos while Capella Lodge offers barefoot luxury on tropical Lord Howe Island. Guests on a Baillie Lodges itinerary experience Australia’s diverse and remarkable destinations in signature style.

THE DESIGN
Longitude 131°’s distinctive architectural design set it as one of the world’s accommodation icons, and the only lodge to offer views direct to Uluru.

With its place in the fragile outback keenly felt, the lodge’s sustainable design includes renewable energies and the ability to be dismantled and removed entirely, restoring the rolling red sand dunes to their original state.

THE LUXURY LODGES
Luxury Lodges of Australia is a collection of independent luxury lodges and camps offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most extraordinary locations.

There are 19 lodges in this stellar collection of the nation’s most celebrated properties. The luxury of experiences and genuine connections to people and place are what set these lodges apart. Longitude 131° is a founding member.

THE COMMUNITY
Baillie Lodges actively seeks engagement with the communities in which each lodge is set, ranging from establishing supplier relationships with food and beverage producers, local artists and furnishing designers to supporting school education initiatives, community events and work experience programs.

ERNABELLA ARTS
Established in 1948, Ernabella Arts is the oldest, continuously running indigenous arts centre in Australia and has become a culturally strong contemporary art centre producing works in a variety of mediums drawing world-wide acclaim.

Longitude 131° sponsors a ceramist teacher and ongoing education for the community, and has set up quarterly artists-in-residence programs at the lodge, allowing a rare cultural exchange between guests and the Aboriginal artists.

SHARED STORIES
Guides at Longitude 131° have an extensive knowledge of the geology and ecology of this ancient land and an introduction to the traditional Anangu Tjukurpa, which is the foundation of the indigenous community’s life and society.

WORKING TOGHETER
At Longitude 131°, the team works with several regional Aboriginal Art Centres, particularly Ernabella Arts, to supply artworks, woven birds and baskets, wooden carvings and traditional spears and more.

PEOPLE
The Longitude 131° team is small and close-knit, attracting hospitality professionals from Australia and around the world and creating a remote family for guests and staff alike. Renowned for their relaxed and friendly first-name service, our people are what keep our friends returning for more.

Husband and wife team Ben and Louise Lanyon took the reins at Longitude 131° in 2019, having already managed sister property Southern Ocean Lodge when it opened on Kangaroo Island in 2008. The couple now have three active boys and have made their home at nearby Yulara, where the boys are enrolled at the local school.

COMMITMENT & ENVIRONMENT 
The Baillie Lodges environmental commitment is best expressed by each lodge’s interaction with its local natural and cultural surroundings. A dynamic environmental management plan featuring cutting edge and continually evolving technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest’s experience. How we support travelling for good.

FLORA
Longitude 131° is situated on 23,800 square metres of privately owned land and is surrounded by Katiti Aboriginal Land and the dual World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. A host of measures has been undertaken to protect the unique environmental and cultural heritage of the area.

FAUNA
As its World Heritage listing details, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park contains distinctive desert fauna and many rare species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Although appearing flat and uninhabited, the desert around Longitude 131° is alive and caters for many different ecosystems.

ENERGY
Construction of Longitude 131° was completed with a focus on energy efficient design. Guest tents are designed to enhance thermal and acoustic insulation and floors are insulated and covered in natural stone to enhance cooling in summer and insulation in winter.

FOOTPRINT
Longitude 131° has been carefully designed to have minimal impact on the delicate natural environment. Guest tents are designed to ‘float’ above the sandy desert floor, providing an intimate encounter with the vast and unspoilt outback landscape.

STAY
Nestled among ancient dunes, Longitude 131° is a gathering of sixteen tented pavilions designed to offer both luxurious sanctuary and a profound sense of place.

Unparalleled views of Uluru’s changing lights play out from the end of the bed, or on balconies from the warmth of a luxury swag unfurled in the cool night air. Custom furnishings invite stylish lounging, while works by local indigenous artists offer inspiration.

Guests observe the sights of the outback through floor to ceiling windows, relax on outdoor decks and sleep under a blanket of stars.

LUXURY TENT
The Luxury Tent features floor to ceiling glass to embrace unparalleled views of Uluru, either from the end of the bed or from the day bed on a private balcony.

LOUNGE & TERRACE
Custom-designed furniture from Australian designers complemented by works by local indigenous artists offers stylish lounging after a day of exploring the Red Centre. Private floor to ceiling windows yield unparalelled views of Uluru, quite literally at the end of the bed, opening onto an expansive balcony with day bed, armchairs and fireplace.

ROOMS & SUITE
Sink into our signature ‘Baillie Bed’, the ideal place to rest between busy days exploring remarkable destinations and enjoying world-class wining and dining. An ensuite bathroom offers a generous rain shower, while the complimentary in-suite bar proffers a selection of Australia’s best loved gourmet treats.

DUNE PAVILLON
Expansive and contemporary, the Dune Pavilion is Australia’s only accommodation offering views of both World Heritage-listed Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

DINING
Dining at Longitude 131° sees a creative, contemporary Australian menu enjoyed with a view to the nation’s spiritual heart, Uluru. The finest premium produce is delivered to the Red Centre and combined with bush ingredients to offer guests a unique taste of Australia.

Centred around a commitment to deliver a real ‘sense of place’ for guests, the Baillie Lodges’ Culinary Philosophy is essential to the dining experience at Longitude 131°. Chef Tom Saliba and his team in the kitchen deliver a menu complemented by an enviable wine list that connects guests with the country from the restaurant to the in-tent bar.

THE BREAKFAST
The day often starts pre-dawn at Longitude 131°, with tours of Uluru and Kata Tjuta departing as the sun lights the horizon. Best to be prepared for the adventures ahead, premium espresso and fine leaf tea awaits.

A grazing table of fresh-cooked pastries, fruits and cold meats tempts, while an a la carte menu features hot breakfast items from eggs cooked as preferred, smoked salmon served with crispy potato rosti and fluffy blueberry pancakes.

THE LUNCH
After a morning exploring the Red Centre, lunch is served in the cool of the Dune House or outdoors on the terrace overlooking Uluru. Guests can enjoy a starter and main meal, with fresh seafood, meats and salads a highlight.

Enjoy a paired wine or and finish with dessert and coffee. Lunch is the perfect precursor to a relaxed afternoon by the pool, on the Dune Top or in the comfort of a luxury tent.

THE DINNER
Dinner starts best with sunset drinks in the club-style leather lounges around the bar. A range of premium mixers, wines and craft beer invites a help-yourself vibe, and friendly staff are at hand to mix up a cocktail.

Dinner is enjoyed at the Dune House and under the stars at Table 131° on alternating days. For a special occasion, advance bookings can be made for private dining on the Dune Top, where intimate pods offer a window to the outback after dark.

DINING UNDER THE STARS
The southern skies over Uluru-Kata Tjuta are a glittering kaleidoscope of stars, with cool, clear nights and an absence of manufactured lights from cities or nearby dwellings creating a stargazer’s paradise.

Longitude 131°’s Table 131° is renowned around the world as an iconic outdoor dining experience, with a menu prepared on a remote dune top and served under a blanket of stars.

WATERING HOLES
The dry and mostly warm Red Centre climate inspires the need for an icy cold beverage. Happily Longitude 131° has a number of ‘watering holes’ both indoors and out where guests can help themselves to a drink, or – better still – ask a friendly staff member to fix a refreshing cocktail.

DUNE HOUSE BAR
Lined with nearly 500 unique spinifex tiles each hand designed by the ladies at Ernabella Arts Community, the Dune House bar is a cool retreat.

The well-stocked bar features a range of premium spirits – including baillies 9 gin distilled exclusively for the lodges to a secret Kangaroo Island recipe – as well as an excellent selection of wines and local craft beers. Snacks are available and depending on the mood guests sit up at the bar to watch the action or settle into luxurious club-style armchairs.

DUNE TOP BAR
Set high on a platform above the red sands of the desert, the Dune Top bar offers the chance to relax in the quiet of the vast outback landscape.

The outdoor lounge offers panoramic views that sweep from Uluru to Kata Tjuta, while an outdoor bar features a help-yourself fridge stocked with cool Australian white and rose wines and a swag of craft beers. Outdoor loungers and a plunge spa are the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing beverage while drinking in the views.

IN TENT BARS
A stay at Longitude 131° is generously all-inclusive, even down to the in-tent bar. Guests discover a mini bar filled with treats, making a mid-afternoon snack an easy accompaniment to reading a book on the verandah daybed or simply relaxing with the view.

A selection of leaf teas and pod coffee pairs with traditional Anzac biscuits, while individual servings of cheese, crackers, nougat and chocolate partner with beers, wine, juice and kombucha, depending on the mood.

THE CHEF
With his most recent posting at sister property Southern Ocean Lodge, Executive Chef Tom Saliba brings a passion for fresh seasonal produce and contemporary Australian cuisine to the menu at Longitude 131°.

Working with a philosophy of bringing Australia’s finest premium produce to the Red Centre, Tom uses local bush ingredients and traditional indigenous techniques to create unique taste of Australia served, with a view to Uluru.

A daily approach to designing each menu – where local and regional ingredients are the stars – is essential to the Baillie Lodges Culinary Philosophy which steers the dining experience across all the lodges.

Tom is a strong believer in the sustainability side of food, from both environmental and economic perspectives and takes a nose-to-tail and root-to-shoot approach to produce. The result is a truly remote and extraordinary dining experience!

THE SPA
Set among the spinifex and the red sand of the outback, Spa Kinara is a cool, calm retreat reflecting the clever design of a traditional Aboriginal shelter, or wiltja. Kinara means ‘moon’ in Pitjantjatjara, and offers a spiritually grounding, revitalising connection between the traditional country and the vast blue-domed sky that cloaks the landscape.

A physical and spiritual retreat, Spa Kinara aligns body and soul under the gaze of Uluru, whose mysterious natural energies radiate throughout the landscape. Guests emerge with a sense of connection and calm, reflective in the rare stillness and inspired by the outback’s boundless horizons.

JOURNEY TO COUNTRY
A signature menu of relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments embrace the Red Centre’s surprising resource of native beauty products, from Kakadu plum, quandongs and Scented Emu Bush to desert lime, Australian yellow clay and nutrient-rich desert salts.

BUSH MEDICINE
A powerful bush medicine used by Aboriginal ngangkari or healers, irmangka-irmangka is also known as Scented Emu Bush and is used in many treatments at Spa Kinara.

The general cure-all is made from the bush’s fresh leaves, mixed with olive oil to form a balm. The balm is made by the ladies in the Ngangkari Program run by the local Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands Women’s Council.

INDIGENOUS WISDOM
Spa Kinara features Australian Li’Tya spa care products. Meaning ‘of the earth’, Li’Tya embraces a series of healing rituals that combine Aboriginal massage techniques with botanical beauty essences.

SPA MENU
Each Spa Kinara treatment is a personal journey. Guests are invited to select a therapy that resonates most with their mood or desired focus, and each treatment may be tailored with the addition of a Spa Essential for a complete mind, body and soul treat. All Spa Kinara journeys commence with a traditional Aboriginal welcome ceremony.

DESTINATION
Home to the World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Australia’s Red Centre is a vast outback wilderness characterised by endless horizons of rolling red sand dunes, green Desert Oaks and great domes of blue sky. Uluru lies around 60km west of Kata Tjuta and 470km south west of Alice Springs.

OUTBACK ICONS
Standing some 873 metres high and visible from many vantage points around the Red Centre, Uluru is thought to have started forming around 550 million years ago. Rising higher still at 1,066 metres, Kata Tjuta is a mysterious gathering of 36 rock domes. Both landmarks are culturally significant to the indigenous Anangu people.

CULTURAL CONNECTION
Longitude 131° works with several Aboriginal arts communities to source the vibrant local artworks that guests see around the lodge, from ceramics to painted canvases, spears and weavings.

The lodge has a special partnership with Ernabella Arts in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands whose artists periodically paint in residence with a backdrop to Uluru.

FIELD OF LIGHT 
Artist Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed solar installation Field of Light in the foreground of Uluru is a wonderful interactive experience that captures the imagination of young and old.

The outdoor light sculpture is a gathering of some 50,000 stems which bloom in soft frosted-glass and appear to sway in the breeze as the dusk falls on Australia’s spiritual heartland.

BUSH INGREDIENTS
Longitude 131° offers a contemporary Australian dining experience with premium produce delivered from around the country to the Red Centre. Bush ingredients like quangdongs or the desert peach, finger limes, muntrie and pepper berries and lemon myrtle add a uniquely outback flavour to the menu.

SEASONS OF THE OUTBACK
The semi-arid desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta makes for warm travelling conditions. Sunny days and cooler nights may be expected for much of the year, while the hot summer often sees dramatic storms with rains rendering the Red Centre a relatively lush green.

The indigenous Anangu identify five seasons in the region, noting changes in the weather that have an impact on their day-to-day life.

SUMMER (DECEMBER – FEBRUARY)
During the summer months the hot, dry daytime conditions inspire a dip in the pool or an icy drink at the bar. Tours run in the cool of dawn and dusk and the night-time comes alive, with cooler temperatures and storms passing across the outback, offering the rare chance to see waterfalls cascading down Uluru. Daytime temperatures range from 35–38°C in summer.

AUTUMN (MARCH – MAY)
Autumn is an ideal season to visit the Red Centre, when the semi-arid climate makes for great travelling conditions. Experience the desert landmarks in the cool of the morning before returning to a leisurely lunch. An afternoon rest is the perfect precursor to a sunset expedition and dinner. Daytime temperatures range from 24–35°C in autumn.

WINTER (JUNE – AUGUST)
Brisk mornings provide a fresh start to the day in winter, with the promise of sunshine and warmth ahead. Clear night skies offer a brilliant chance to discover the southern sky and the Milky Way Galaxy, watching for the lucky swoosh of a shooting star. Daytime temperatures range from 20–24°C in winter.

SPRING (SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER)
Springtime in the Red Centre is the chance to see the desert blossom in colour as wildflowers transform the outback landscape. Spring offers ideal conditions to learn the ancient lore of the traditional Aboriginal owners and explore the regional flora and fauna with the lodge’s expert guides. Daytime temperatures range from 29–35°C in spring.

ITJANU (JANUARY – MARCH)
Billowing or overcast (utawari) clouds build on the western horizon and move east to cover the sky, bringing rain. Storms can also come from other directions, bringing winds and tipping the temperature down. Many food plants flower during Itjanu and good rains produce ample fruit and seed.

WANITJUNKUPAI (APRIL – MAY)
The cooler weather returns to Uluru now. Tjuntalpa clouds roll in from the south but stay above the hills until the end of the day without producing much rain. Reptiles begin hibernating ahead of winter.

WARI (LATE MAY – JULY)
The cold season, when there is sometimes frost (nyinnga) and mist or dew (kulyar-kulyarpa) in the morning but little rain. The frosts dry and preserve the desert grasses. In summer this dry fuel can feed fires.

PIRIYAKUTU (AUGUST – SEPTEMBER)
Piriya is the name of the warm, steady wind that blows from the north and west in December. Warm weather brings reptiles out of hibernation, animals breed and food plants like the honey grevillea begin to flower.

KULI (AROUND DECEMBER)
Kuli is the hottest part of the year. Storm clouds (marutjara) roll in the sky and lightning flashes but there is little rain. Lightning strikes can cause fires.

GETTING THERE
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located in the Red Centre in Australia’s Northern Territory. The main airport, Ayers Rock Airport is three hours’ travel by air from most Australian capital cities.

Longitude 131° is located 15 minutes’ drive from Ayers Rock Airport via lodge transfer, a 3 hour self-drive from Kings Canyon and a 4.5 hour self-drive from Alice Springs.

EXPERIENCE
Longitude 131° is the ultimate luxury basecamp from which to explore the natural and cultural landscapes of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Guests at Longitude 131° embark on a signature itinerary of guided adventures, allowing a personal discovery with the Red Centre’s iconic natural attractions and Aboriginal heritage. View and download our experiences facts and rates.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
These experiences are included in the tariff and are provided on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Private experiences can be arranged at additional cost subject to availability.

ULURU SUNSET
The Uluru Sunset experience is a gathering for Longitude 131° guests with drinks from an exclusive pop up bar just in time to see the sun set and transform the monolith in glowing shades of pink, orange and purple.

The Uluru Sunset viewing area is the best place to see the sun set over Uluru. It’s also a popular spot for visitors to take selfies, couple and family shots as well as landscape photos of Uluru as it appears to change colour as the sun dips behind the domes of Kata Tjuta to the west.

A pop up bar exclusive for Longitude 131° guests is set up in prime position to watch the light change its cast over Uluru, a little further along the sandy pathway from other travellers.

Enjoy French Champagne, Australian craft beers and premium spirits accompanied by canapés with fresh Australian ingredients and outback flavours.

FIELD OF LIGHT
Discover an outback wonderland as the Uluru sunset continues, with the mighty monolith fading slowly to the background as the field of lights takes centre stage. Guests wander at leisure along pathways through the award-winning sculptor Bruce Munro’s incredible light installation.

An outback fairyland, the celebrated open air art phenomenon is made up of some 50,000 individual stems crowned with colourful frosted glass bulbs that bloom and appear to sway as the inky night blankets Australia’s spiritual heartland.

As darkness descends on the desert, guests are transported to Table 131°, to dine under a glittering canopy of stars.

TABLE 131°
Longitude 131°’s signature dining experience, Table 131° makes for an unforgettable evening. Set among the red sand dunes in a remote, secret location, Table 131° features a decadent four-course dinner with matched wines, perfect for a special occasion.

Guests discover the wonder of the outback’s inky night sky, which allows the Milky Way to play centre stage, shining brightly without the distraction of city lights.

As the cool of the night sets in, guests look up between courses to discover the stories of the southern skies, and perhaps catch a glimpse of a shooting star. The lodge guide offers a tour of the sky, with legends from the Greek Gods told alongside Aboriginal creation tales from the Red Centre.

WALPA GORGE & KATA TJUTA
An unforgettable discovery of Kata Tjuta, this early morning adventure heads to the World Heritage-listed site where 36 mighty red rock domes gather in the desert landscape. The group appears mistily on the horizon, glimpsed between desert oaks and spinifex on the approach.

In the company of a Longitude 131° guide, guests learn about the geology and history of the formation, formerly known as The Olgas. The site is sacred for the local Aboriginal people, and kept as a closely held secret as part of Anangu men’s business.

Longitude 131° guides are permitted to know and share some of the Tjukurpa, and these stories offer a more personal understanding and connection to this special part of the country.

The guide leads guests through Walpa Gorge, with its towering rock walls and surprising tree-lined creeks and waterholes. From there the tour heads to the Kata Tjuta viewing platform, which offers a step-back view of Kata Tjuta and the chance to capture a panoramic view including Uluru.

It’s a magic spot for morning tea, with coffee, tea and freshly-baked goods on the menu. A visit to the Cultural Centre at Uluru completes a morning of discovery in the Red Centre. The centre is designed by the local Anangu people, with long pathways providing cool refuge.

Here, guests learn about the history of the Aboriginal people at Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and about their art and culture. Aboriginal artists often spend time at the centre painting, carving and sculpting.

MALA WALK & KANTJU GORGE 
Journey to the base of Uluru and learn about the Aboriginal Mala people. Longitude 131° guides lead guests on a discovery trail along the caves which occur around the rock and whose walls reveal ancient Aboriginal artworks. Learn the significance of each ‘room’ and the cultural stories each one tells.

A meandering pathway leads through groves of green trees and along boardwalks over spinifex and occasional streams, depending on the weather. At dusk the tour reaches Kantju Gorge, a giant ‘fold’ among Uluru’s rippling surface.

There, guests enter a cool reserve lined by trees which leads to a waterhole which the local Aboriginal people use for swimming. As the sun sets, it casts a golden light across the rock faces, striking it a brilliant red against a deep blue sky.

Guests enjoy a moment of reflection at the pool, before sampling canapés and sipping sunset drinks at the Longitude 131° pop up bar.

MUTITJULU MEANDER
A morning walk around Uluru’s base tells the Aboriginal Tjukurpa story of Kuniya Piti and reveals the swimming hole and frequently running waterfall at Mutitjulu. It’s also the home of Wanampi, an ancestral watersnake.

Lush green trees and grasses are a surprising sight in this section of Uluru. The Aboriginal story of Kuniya Piti is integral to a better understanding of Uluru and the Anangu belief system.

When walking around Mutitjulu Waterhole visitors are surrounded by the presence of two ancestral beings: Kuniya the woma python and Liru the poisonous snake.

The individual Kuniya and Liru stories occur on different sides of Uluru, but their dramatic battle took place near Mutitjulu waterhole, and a giant cave nearby reveals the secrets of the story from start to deadly finish. Morning tea is served in the cool shade of the trees before the tour returns to Longitude 131°.

BESPOKE EXPERIENCES
An additional menu of bespoke experiences offers the chance to tailor a special interest itinerary. Activities operate on a limited share basis for an exclusive safari feel.

VALLEY OF THE WINDS
The five-hour round trip Valley of the Winds walk is necessarily started early in the day, to make the most of cooler temperatures. The hike can be taken as a private guided hike or on a self-guided basis with Longitude 131° pickups and drop offs.

A wonderful, challenging hike, this trail traverses rocky terrain, cool groves, creeks and canyons before climbing through a steep gorge between red domes to reveal a relief of rolling green plains.

Walkers enter the sacred territory of Aboriginal Anangu men, a place where traditional secret men’s business is carried out. Many walkers experience a spiritual connection with the country.

The walk offers an unforgettable experience with the interior of the 36 domed Kata Tjuta site and is categorised as a Grade 4 walk for its rocky track and steep sections.

There’s a chance to spot wildlife along the way, from ‘euros’ or rock wallabies to lizards, finches and colourful budgerigars. The hike may be taken on a guided basis or as a self-guided adventure with private vehicle drop off and pickup.

ULURU BASE WALK
The four-hour Uluru base walk is a must-do for many visitors to the Red Centre. The journey around the perimeter of Uluru travels through lightly forested areas and red sand stretches, along boardwalks and among grasses and spinifex.

The walk passes by several sacred Aboriginal sites, with an opportunity to discover more of the monolith’s cultural significance and place in Australia’s history.

Longitude 131°’s guide will share the Anangu Tjukurpa or creation stories which play out right around Uluru in unfolding chapters. Uluru’s fascinating geological history is explained as part of the journey.

The hike may be taken on a guided basis or as a self-guided adventure with private vehicle drop off and pickup. The Uluru Base Walk is included for stays of three nights or more.

SUNRISE & ULURU BASE WALK
Sunrise is an ideal time to set off on an unforgettable journey on the Uluru base walk. The ten kilometre loop walk offers a fascinating insight to Uluru’s geology and natural history, and takes in the Aboriginal Anangu Tjukurpa stories.

The legends of the battle of Liru and Kuniya and the story of the Mala people play out with natural symbols seen right around the walk. Walkers encounter ancient Aboriginal rock art and Uluru’s diverse landscape – from green trees, creeks and waterholes in deep gorges to open plains dotted with grasses and spinifex.

It’s also a wonderful workout and start to another incredible day in the Red Centre. Enjoy sustaining lodge-made treats along the way.

KARINGANA LOOKOUT
The Karingana lookout is a highlight along the Valley of the Winds hike through the domes of Kata Tjuta. Walkers start the Valley of the Winds hike from the carpark, and cover rocky pathways on the way to entering the interior of the Kata Tjuta site.

Best taken in the early morning to avoid the warmer midday temperatures, this four-hour hike is a walk-and-return hike, with Karingana the tipping point. Walkers pass through rocky sections and grassy expanses, pass flowing creeks (depending on the season) and encounter colourful birds and wildlife.

The spectacular Karingana lookout is reached after a hike up a ridge between towering gorge walls, a saddle with views out to rolling green plains of the Valley of the Winds and back through the soaring red domes.

The trail passes through territory sacred to Anangu men, and is considered as challenging as it is rewarding. The hike may be taken on a guided basis or as a self-guided adventure with private vehicle drop off and pickup.

KARU LOOKOUT
The shorter hike to Karu lookout is a great option to experience the majesty and intrigue of Kata Tjuta and to get a sense of its mighty boulders and secret valleys without committing to a more challenging hike.

The Karu Lookout hike is a moderate grade hike with some rocky paths to navigate along the way. Hikers learn of the geological history and cultural heritage of Kata Tjuta and encounter its flora and fauna including birds and lizards.

Views to the mighty red domes and lush green valley floor make for wonderful photo opportunities but it’s the power of the land that will stay with visitors long after the experience.

TALINGURU NYAKUNYTJAKU
The Talinguru Nyakunytjaku area is a popular place for viewing an Uluru sunrise. By the late afternoon, it’s a quieter, more spiritual location, ideal for creating a special occasion whilst viewing the sun set over Uluru.

Guests enjoy sunset drinks including French Champagne and premium Australian wines, beers and spirits along with specially prepared canapés. The setting is a more private and exclusive Uluru sunset experience, perfect for capturing special moments as well as wonderful sunset photos.

SUNRISE SILHOUETTES
The north-west face of Uluru provides a remote and still platform from which to witness the sun as it rises across the outback landscape casting its rays in pinks and oranges.

For photographers, the cool reserves of the desert oak groves around Uluru offer a private place to set up the camera and witness this most extraordinary daily spectacle. Return in time for breakfast back at Longitude 131°.

PRIVATE DINING
From amuse-bouche to petits fours, dining on the Dune Top is an unforgettable experience. With just four private alcoves, it’s an exclusive experience with butler style service, fine cuisine led by the seasons and a sunset view of the outback icons.

ERNABELLA ARTS
Guests at Longitude 131° encounter the colourful ceramics, canvas paintings, tiles and spears created by the artists at Ernabella in guest tents, Spa Kinara and in the Dune House restaurant and bar.

To meet the artists and make the real connection with the country’s heart and soul, an unforgettable full-day tour to the Ernabella Arts Community in South Australia’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The tour is on offer by special advance arrangement and includes a scenic charter flight to reach the community, which lies some 665km by road or 155km by air from Longitude 131°.

Visitors arrive in the remote Aboriginal community and discover the arts centre, a hub of vibrant activity where the community’s elders and young people work side by side creating artworks and sharing their culture and knowledge.

Guests have a chance to learn about the symbols used in Aboriginal artworks, meet the artists and try their hand at painting a take-home ceramic tile.

KINGS CANYON
A full day roundtrip through the Red Centre from Uluru to Kings Canyon offers a real sense of the outback with its vast red sand plains and blue domed skies. Settle in to the rhythm of the road, sing along to some road trip tunes or take it as a mind-opening mediation.

Along the way pass Mount Conner (known as ‘Fooluru’), the historic cattle station at Curtain Springs and Kings Creek Station, famous for its camel burgers. Kings Canyon is found in the Watarrka National Park and is roughly midway along the road to Alice Springs from Uluru.

Embark on the four-hour Rim Walk which climbs the canyon’s steep stone walls and follows the contour of its dramatic cliffs, leading to the surprisingly lush, fern-filled groves of the Garden of Eden.

Learn about the canyon’s ancient geology and take a Priscilla Queen of the Desert photo opportunity, from the location of the cult Australian film.

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES
Many guests value the option of private touring, ensuring an experience of Uluru Kata Tjuta in the exclusive company of immediate fellow travellers, be they family and or friends.

Guests on private tours have the luxury of touring at their own pace, and may follow an itinerary of private signature experiences or tailor their own. Transport is in a luxury private vehicle with a personal lodge guide. Advance bookings are essential, charges apply.

Explore the protected cultural and natural landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the privacy of a luxury four wheel drive vehicle including four signature experiences and return airport transfers.

The tariff commences from AUD $3,000 for four guests, while larger vehicle options are available for groups of up to 16 passengers. Subject to availability, advance booking is essential.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
The Red Centre offers a swag of options for guests looking to explore more or perhaps pursue a special interest. Longitude 131° works with premium local operators to offer these special adventures. Additional charges apply, view rates here.

HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
Take a Red Centre adventure to new heights, lifting off from the lodge’s helipad on a scenic helicopter flight. Most popular is the 36-minute aerial tour of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, ideal as an exhilarating departure experience.

DOT PAINTING
Maruku Arts offers a fun introduction to Aboriginal art and the opportunity to learn about the symbols and painting styles used by local Aboriginal ladies in their artworks. Join the ladies and with their guidance, create a painting to take home as memento.

CAMEL TOURS
Join a camel train through red dune country, with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as a stunning backdrop. Most popular at sunrise and sunset, tours are guided by cameleers who share the animals’ quirky names and stories. These meditative tours are a nod to the original Red Centre pioneers.

SCENIC PLANE FLIGHTS 
Take off in a small charter plane and soar high above the above the desert to see the outback from a spectacular new angle. Choose from a range of light plane adventures taking in the region’s iconic natural attractions or travel further afield to take in Lake Amadeus and Kings Canyon.

MOTORCYCLE TOURS 
Feel the freedom of the outback highway on the back of an authentic Harley Davidson cruising through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on a motorbike or trike. Drivers double as guides to provide an informative commentary along the way.

OUTBACK CYCLING
Jump on a mountain bike and cycle the ten kilometre path around the base of Uluru. Fun for adventure-loving travellers and families, a mountain-biking tour is a wonderful way to take in the outback giant. Recommended for stays of three nights or for returning guests seeking a fresh perspective.

SEIT TOURS
Northern Territory tour specialist SEIT Outback Australia offers exciting and innovative adventures throughout Central Australia, specialising in off the beaten track environmental and cultural experiences. SEIT also offer a foreign language guided tour service using iPod technology.

Rooms: 15

Price: from 1.984 EUR per night

Source: www.longitude131.com.au