Dine under a million stars

Instead of walls, the open-air Sounds of Silence restaurant has magnificent views to the distant domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock). And instead of entertainment, there’s the stillness of the desert at night and a magical tour of the heavens with an astronomer.

Staged in a clearing in the sand dunes a few kilometres from Ayers Rock Resort, the evening starts with canapés and a glass of sparkling wine or a cool ale as the sun slowly sets. Watching the sky change colour is an experience in itself.

After a barbeque buffet dinner, the tranquillity of the outback and the spectacular heavens are revealed when the lanterns are extinguished and conversation is hushed by the sudden darkness. For some people, this will be the first time that they ever truly hear the silence of the Australian outback, or in fact true silence anywhere.

Stars that were only partially visible in the light of the bush dining setting are seen in all their brilliance and you slowly become aware of the utter stillness of the outback at night.

After a few minutes, a star talker steps out from the dark, taking you on a mystical tour of the heavens before inviting you to take a closer look at some of the better known planets through a powerful telescope.

Under some of the clearest skies in the world, the star talker tells of ancient mythologies and the Aboriginal stories of creation and how they play out in the sky.

Sounds of Silence Dinner operates year-round. Pre-booking is recommended as the tour does sell out.