Field Of Light Uluru – Probably The Most Impressive Artificial Light Play

Before venturing deep into the review, we would like to apologise for being unable to capture the essence of Field Of Light Uluru’s spectacular light display on our DSLR camera and smartphone (before iPhone 11 was made available). Located at Ayers Rock Resort in the spiritual heart of Australia, the exhibition was opened on 1 April 2016 and we were thrilled to find out that it has been extended until 31 December 2020 (as of Feb 2020). We are here to share our experience (through slightly blurred photos taken by us) and hopefully inspired you to visit it (as well as take and share better photos with us!) before it ends.

Field Of Light Uluru – What’s It About?

Field Of Light Uluru is an award-winning exhibition created by artist Bruce Munro. The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ in local Pitjantjatjara was opened on 1 April 2016 at Ayers Rock Resort and surrounds the sacred site of Uluru.

Munro’s largest work to date, the exhibition comprises of over 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of nine football fields. These individually hand-crafted stems, weighing a total 15 tonnes, travelled more than 19,000 kilometres on 32 international and domestic Qantas Group flights in early 2016 before arriving in Alice Springs.

The work of art is entirely illuminated by solar power (the artist’s first as well) and the spheres are connected with an illuminated optical fibre which lights up as darkness falls. Lighted pathways (with guide lights like below) draw visitors into the exhibition, which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars.

Field Of Light Uluru – Our Review Of The Experience 

As Kiasu Singaporeans, we booked the experience months before the stay at the resort. There are 3 different departure sessions, we went for Field of Light Pass Departure 2 which happens 1 hour and 15 mins after sunset. The transport will pick you up sharply at your resort lobby.

Once you are there, the guide will explain the route options. There are basically 2 main routes – the long one and the short one. You simply need to decide and make the necessary turn at the right junction. As we have one full hour on-site, we decide to go for the longer trail.

The view of the entire field will awe you at first. Next, you would want to try to capture as much as you can on your devices. It is only when you realise that nothing you ever capture can replace the ever-changing and mesmerising view in front of you that you would decide to ditch your devices and just savour the moment.

As you enjoy the light displays around you, remember to also look up and take in the Australian outback night sky. Given the low level of light pollution, you will be able to see the stunning constellation above you. Once again, we were unable to capture the sea of stars above on our devices but it was truly magnificent.

Field Of Light Uluru – How To Get There

Both Jetstar and Virgin Australia offer direct daily flights into Ayers Rock Airport from Sydney. Jetstar has a return service from Melbourne Tullamarine into Ayers Rock Airport operating four times per week. Qantas also operates daily flights via Alice Springs and direct flights from Cairns and Alice Springs to Ayers Rock.

We hope you find the information useful for your trip planning. Make sure you pre-book your Field of Light tours prior to arrival as spaces are limited and are tours selling out nightly. If you do get the opportunity (and equipment) take better photos, do share with us. Have fun!