Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru: Outback dinner under the stars

The Sounds of Silence Dinner combines Uluru sunsets, dune-top dining in the desert and stargazing under clear Southern Hemisphere skies.

The Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru in the Northern Territory is one of the most memorable meals in Australia. This outback dining experience has been entered into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame and combines al fresco desert dining with stargazing.

To skip the detail and just book the Sounds of Silence dinner, step this way…

Sounds of Silence Dinner: Uluru sunset experience

The four hour Uluru dining experiences starts an hour before sunset, with guests bussed to a dune top. From the dune, you can watch the sun go down over Uluru, with the inselberg formerly known as Ayers Rock turning various shades of pink, orange and red.

Canapes and chilled sparkling wine come out as guests enjoy the Uluru sunset. Then, once the sun has gone down, a musician plays a didgeridoo and dinner is served at tables by the desert dune.

Sounds of Silence Dinner menu

A selection of Australian wines and beers come as part of the Sounds of Silence Dinner price. Staff serve these drinks as they make their way around the tables.

The first course is served at the table, then after that you choose whichever dish you prefer from the interactive chef’s stations. The Sounds of Silence Dinner menu gets its inspirations from bush tucker and incorporates several native bush ingredients.

Stargazing at Uluru, Northern Territory

Then, as dinner unfolds, an astronomer explains the night sky. The clear desert skies make the Red Centre perfect for stargazing. The astronomer points out the Southern Cross constellation, the signs of the Zodiac and the planets and galaxies.

This once-in-a-lifetime dune-top dinner experience, with special stargazing session included, is our top Uluru recommendation.

Uluru dinner under the stars prices

The Sounds of Silence Dinner is wheelchair friendly, but not suitable for children under the age of nine. The Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru costs $234 at time of writing. The experience can be booked online.

Other things to do at Uluru include Aboriginal dot painting workshops, Uluru Segway tours, Ayers Rock helicopter flights and desert camel rides.

8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive

• 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
• 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
• 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
• 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
• 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
• 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
• 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
• 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.

Which Uluru accommodation should I book?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.

However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.

The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.

• For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
• For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
• For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
• For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.

More Northern Territory travel

Driving times in the Northern Territory

Take a Katherine Gorge cruise on the Darwin to Kununurra drive.

Is it worth doing a Katherine Gorge day trip from Darwin?

Where to stop on the Daly Waters to Mataranka drive.

Feast on pan-Asian dishes at Hanuman Darwin.