MORE FUN WAYS TO EXPLORE THE COUNTRY

From £14,350 (Dh67,687) per person based on two sharing, including all international and domestic flights and two nights in Darwin, three nights with Lords Safaris, including one at Bamurru Plains, one night in Cairns, four nights on Lizard Island, two nights at Longitude 1310 Ayer’s Rock and three nights B&B in Sydney (020 7386 4610; theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk). Here’s some exciting ways to experience this staggering natural environment.

OUTBACK ADVENTURES

This year, Uluru’s top resort got a multi-million dollar facelift (above), in time for the 30th anniversary of Bruce Chatwin’s The Songlines. There’s a brand-new spa inspired by the Anangu people and a new dune-top bar immersed in the desert landscape. The Dune Pavilion uber-suite costs from A$2,400 (Dh6,460) per person per night, all inclusive (longitude131. com.au).

PENINSULAR PERFECTION

The Cobourg Peninsula is a coastal wilderness northeast of Arnhem Land replete with marine turtle, manta rays, dolphins, sharks and crocodiles. Last year, eight new permanent tents (pictured above, second from left) were installed at the Cobourg Coastal Camp, which means that from April to mid-November it’s the perfect jump-off point to explore deserted beaches and the ruins of Victoria Settlement, a third failed British attempt to settle Northern Australia in the 19th century. A five-day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula Tour with Venture North costs A$3,290 per adult (venturenorth.com.au).

KING OF GLAMPING

To enjoy life on a working camel station without having to chuck a swag on the ground, Kings Creek Station near Kings Canyon has unveiled three new permanent tents (above, third from left) with escarpment views and king-size beds. Each tent has its own deck with outdoor bathroom. Guests can try quad bike, heli and camel rides, and camel burgers. A$950 per night including food and drink (kingscreek-station.com.au).

ULURU ON THE BUSES

Surreally, a double-decker bus is now taking people around the base of Uluru. A five-hour tour costs A$250 per adult including food. Private hire prices on request (Ulurufork-andview.com.au).

LIGHTING UP THE DESERT

In 2016, British artist Bruce Munro, best known for immersive largescale light-based installations, created his largest and most remote work at the foot of Uluru (above). As darkness arrives, and the rock falls into silhouette, 50,000 stems topped with glass spheres cast their undulating solar powered light over an area totalling four football pitches. From A$39 per adult (ayersrockresort. com/au/fieldoflight).