A stellar line up of major events is set to once again delight guests at Ayers Rock Resort in 2015.
The program will kick off in April with the return of Tjungu Festival, followed by the Uluru Camel Cup in May, Australian Outback Marathon in July and the Uluru Astronomy weekend in August.
“Every stay at Ayers Rock Resort features a number of experiences that enhance our guest’s stay in the Spiritual Heart of Australia,” said Voyages CEO Andrew Williams.
“This diverse program of events allows guests to explore one element in more depth – whether that be Indigenous Culture, light-hearted Outback fun at the Camel Cup, health and fitness or the wonders of the universe.”
Following a successful launch in 2014, Tjungu Festival returns from 23-26 April 2015. Tjungu, pronounced tjoo-ngoo, meaning “meeting together” in local Anangu Pitjantjatjara language, is a celebration of the best of Australian Indigenous culture. The lively timetable of events features an array of experiences encompassing film, art, sport, music food and fashion. Highlights include the outdoor dining event Tastes of Tjungu hosted by well-known Indigenous chef Mark Olive, the Tjungu Festival Fashion Parade lead by Indigenous model Samantha Harris, the Tjungu Short Film Fest celebrating Indigenous film making and an engaging and uplifting AFL match known as the Tjungu Cup. A spectacular line up of musicians will headline at the Tjungu Final Night Concert to top off an exciting weekend including Marcus Corowa, Jacinta Price, Stewart Gaykamangu, Dewayne Everett Smith and ZK (2014 finalists from The Voice).
Previously known as the Outback Fest, the colourful Uluru Camel Cup is an authentic Aussie outback experience that will be held from 29-30 May. Coming into its fourth year, the Uluru Camel Cup festivities begin at the atmospheric Outback Pioneer Hotel and Bar, with the opportunity to bid on your favourite camel in the lively Uluru Camel Cup Calcutta, complete with live entertainment. Saturday’s celebrated Uluru Camel Cup races include the ever-popular Fashions on the Field, Outback BBQ, fun-filled activities and more, providing plenty to see, taste, and revel in for the whole family. An outback-style ball completes the weekend where the night is danced away with red dirt underfoot and a sky full of stars overhead.
Now it its sixth year, Ayers Rock Resort will once again play host to the Australian Outback Marathon on Saturday 25 July. With participation increasing annually, the Australian Outback Marathon is the destination marathon race, cementing its place as a major highlight on the Australian running calendar. Set amongst one of the most iconic backdrops in the world entrants from every continent will once again pound the red dirt with spectacular views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Travelling Fit, race organiser, have designed the event to be enjoyed by all levels of running abilities offering four different events – a full marathon, half marathon and two fun runs. Most of the race course is plotted on unsealed roads, trails and bush tracks near the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Now in its second year, Uluru Astronomy Weekend will once again showcase the vast outback night sky, from 14-16 August. Hosted in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), Uluru Astronomy Weekend is devoted to providing insights into astronomy, with the weekend held during the phase of the new moon for even greater visibility. Led by some of the world’s leading experts and hosted by popular science personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, the weekend will include interactive discussion sessions on astro-statistics, the structure of the cosmos, dark matter, and more. It will provide those already familiar with the night sky new insights into our universe and for those new to astronomy an excellent introduction. Not to mention evening activities making the most of the location, including an exclusive Astronomical Sounds of Silence dining experience.