Travel Dinner at Uluru
#NOWTRENDING Australia’s iconic outdoor dinner shows exactly how to best use native delights, finds Woman’s Day’s LUCY MANLY
Despite calling Aust Australia home for the past 28 years, I’ve failed to explore much of my own backyard. So when I was invited to Ayers Rock Resort to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sounds of Silence – Australia’s oldest under-the-stars dining experience – I knew it’d be a trip of a lifetime. What I didn’t realise is there is truly something for everyone in Uluru, the spiritual heart of the country – and especially foodies.
On the first evening of my outback adventure, we arrived by coach to a stunning desert backdrop. Greeted with canapes that featured crocodile plus native greens like saltbush and sea parsley, as well as sparkling wine, we took in views of the big dusty rock and Kata Tjuta.
As the sun set, guests were led down a path to the dining area – a canopy beneath the desert night. Three delicious courses of bush tucker-inspired dishes soon began rolling out across the white tablecloths spread before us. FYI, while the dinner is usually buffet-style, a special menu was served to mark the 25th anniversary.
Pressed Paroo kangaroo came out as entree before a mouthwatering native thyme-scented lamb rack with saltbush potato, honey-roasted heirloom carrots and glazed greens, accompanied with some quality Australian wine and beer.
Luckily I managed to save room for dessert – a delicious desert-lime cheesecake served with port to wash it all down.
But dinner itself wasn’t the only bit to write home ome about. As the night went on, staff turned off all lighting and a local “star talker” gave us a guided uided tour of the constellations of the night sky and the signs of the zodiac.
I lost count of how ow many shooting stars I saw w amidst the clarity of the clear lear black sky, something I had ad never experienced anywhere here else in the world. The evening was an impressive introduction oduction to Aboriginal culture ure and an experience to long g remember.