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. These experiences are included in the tariff and are provided on a private basis at scheduled times. Private experiences are subject to availability.
Uluru Sunset, Field of Light: 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.
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.
