Written by Sian Newman, Business Development Manager, Arinex
Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) offers unique destinations that provide distinct points of difference for any conference or incentive group. The NT extends meaningful experiences that leave a lasting legacy, promote environmental and cultural sustainability including enriching engagement with ancient Aboriginal cultures dating back more than 65,000 years. The Northern Territory’s spiritual and cultural landscape is a testament to the enduring history and resilience of its Indigenous peoples, reflecting a profound relationship with the land that continues to be honoured and celebrated today.
Recent Uluru Showcase
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a Northern Territory Business Events showcase, hosted by Northern Territory Business Events and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia from 13-16 June 2024. This four-day destination tour took place at the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a location renowned for its natural beauty and living cultural landscape.
Uluru is home to the Anangu indigenous population. For millennia, the Anangu people have inhabited the area surrounding Uluru, passing down their stories, songs, and language through generations. Anangu life is centered on Tjukurpa, often commonly referred to as the Dreamtime. For the Aboriginal people, Tjukurpa represents the ancestral period when the world was being shaped.
Image Credit: NT Tourism
Accommodation and Venues
The trip gave me a chance to experience the accommodation offering of Voyages Ayers Rock Resort. The group represents the six hotel options in the main township with over 500 rooms, along with various restaurants, cafes and retailers. Our group stayed at Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock Resort’s premium accommodation offering, it is a 5-star resort with 288 luxury rooms beautifully contrasting Uluru’s raw natural beauty with a decidedly luxurious outback holiday experience. The rooms are spacious, all come with a balcony or patio and several rooms have a direct view of Uluru which can be requested for group bookings. The proximity to Uluru was surprising as the massive monolith greets you as soon as you walk out the front door of the resort. The overall vibe of the resort was tranquil and serene.
The resort features “The Meeting Place”, a conference centre boasting multiple rooms, including a stunning ballroom which can fit up to 420 theatre or cocktail style. All accommodations and venues are conveniently within walking distance, making it an ideal location for business events.
Itinerary Highlights
Our itinerary included visits to:
- Sails in the Desert (288 luxury rooms)
- Desert Garden Hotel (218 rooms)
- Emu Walk Apartments (63 apartments – one or two bedroom style)
- Sounds of Silence Dinner
- Field of Light Uluru
- Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
- Tali Wiru
My personal standouts of the famil were Wintjiri Wiru and the Tali Wiru Dinner. Both unforgettable experiences that everyone needs to add to their bucket list.
Wintjiri Wiru, meaning ‘beautiful view out to the horizon’ in the local Pitjantjatjara language, is a stunning cultural storytelling experience. It brings a chapter of the ancestral Mala story to life with choreographed drones, lasers, and projections that light up the night sky. The experiencewas a collaboration between local Anangu and Ayers Rock Resort that was 5 years in the making. Every element is authentic, carefully considered and representative of the Anangu story. The story is told in both Indigenous Anangu language and English.
The Tali Wiru Dinner, captures the magic of fine dining under the southern Australian desert sky. With stunning views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the open-air setting offers the unique ambiance of the desert at night. Each of the four courses feature ancient native ingredients, highlighting their quality and harmony with matching wines to each course. It is an intimate and exclusive dining experience with a maximum capacity of 26 people per sitting. The evening concludes with star gazing and hot chocolate around the fire.
Experiencing the quality of service and the unique offerings available, ensures Arinex continue to deliver luxurious and inspiring moments to our clients. Providing a deep understanding to the history and culture of the region it allows for extraordinarily meaningful connection to country. You leave the NT feeling a deep sense of spiritual attachment to the land that I believe you cannot experience anywhere else in Australia.
Image Credit: Northern Territory Tourism
Exciting Developments in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has the following new developments and openings to keep an eye on this year.
Darwin Convention Centre Expansion
The Centre will see an upgrade in facilities including capacity at the venue to increase from 4350 seats to 5550 seats. Public amenities and audiovisual equipment will also receive funding for upgrades this year. This is to ensure Darwin can start hosting additional major events in the future.
New Darwin Convention Centre Hotel
A new Darwin Convention Centre Hotel is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. Operating under CEL’s award-winning Momentus Hotels & Resort brand, this 236-room property will offer upscale accommodation options for corporate and leisure visitors. The hotel will be a key component of the Darwin Waterfront Masterplan.
Larrakia Cultural Centre for Darwin
The Larrakia Cultural Centre, adjacent to the Darwin Convention Centre at Stokes Hill Wharf, is expected to open in late 2025. The Centre will provide a space for the Larrakia people, traditional custodians of the Darwin region, to share their culture and knowledge. Visitors will be able to engage in activities such as spear-making, weaving, and painting.
New NT Heli-Foraging Experience
A new heli-foraging and gin-making experience offers a unique sensory adventure in the Northern Territory. Starting with a 30-minute helicopter flight over spectacular landscapes to Finniss River Lodge, guests forage for native botanicals and create their bespoke gin at the Darwin Distilling Co. This high-end incentive experience includes a gourmet lunch and is a collaboration between Darwin Distilling Company, Nautilus Aviation, Finniss River Lodge, and VIP NT.
National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs
The planned National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs is moving closer to reality, with concept designs being reviewed. The gallery will exclusively showcase First Nations stories and artworks, offering business events groups the opportunity to engage in arts programs, events, and festivals.
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort Eco-Credentials
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia has received dual certification from Ecotourism Australia for the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024. The resort has achieved both Advanced Ecotourism and Respecting Our Culture Certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and cultural tourism.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), a Corporate Commonwealth entity, established in 1995. The ILSC’s purpose is to assist Indigenous people to acquire and manage land to achieve economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits. All profits from all Voyages business activities go towards supporting Indigenous training and employment across Australia.
For further information on Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, visit www.voyages.com.au/.
Upcoming Developments
National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs
The planned National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs is moving closer to reality, with concept designs being reviewed. The gallery will exclusively showcase First Nations stories and artworks, offering business events groups the opportunity to engage in arts programs, events, and festivals.
Northern Territory Business Events (NTBE) is a business unit within the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. NTBE provides independent, impartial advice and information for planners and facilitators of business events in the Northern Territory, leveraging an extensive network of local suppliers and industry partners.
For further information on the Northern Territory, visit NT Business Events.