• Virgin Australia announces a return to Uluru, expanding the airline's domestic network with two new direct services connecting the iconic destination with Melbourne and Brisbane, starting June 6, 2024 and June 7, 2024 respectively.
• It will be the first time Virgin Australia has ever operated Uluru services from Brisbane and Melbourne.
• Flights between Brisbane - Uluru will operate three (3) times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while Melbourne - Uluru services will operate up to four (4) times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

DOWNLOAD IMAGES

DOWNLOAD VIDEO NEWS RELEASE (VNR)

Monday, November 20, 2023 [LOS ANGELES] – Australia's Northern Territory is set for a tourism boost at one of the region's biggest tourism hubs, Uluru, with Virgin Australia announcing two new direct services from Melbourne and Brisbane to be introduced next year. These new domestic flights will allow for even more seamless flight connections, particularly when flying with Virgin Australia's North American codeshare partner, United Airlines, and more options for travel when connecting from major East Coast gateways into the spiritual heart of Australia. 

Launched in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia (operators of Ayers Rock Resort), the new services will inject more than 62,000 seats per year to the Red Centre, connecting tourists directly to the unparalleled tourism experiences available, while providing more choice and value to travelers. The new services will also support the growth of the Indigenous Tourism sector, contributing to the Northern Territory's more than AUD $3bn^ visitor expenditure.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was announced as one of the Top 52 Places to Travel in the world this year by The New York Times. The region plays host to a raft of internationally-renowned tourism experiences including the much-loved Field of Light Installation, the new Wintjiri Wiru cultural storytelling experience, and an array of arts and cultural tours for travelers of all ages.

Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said Uluru is somewhere everyone should visit because of its cultural significance and natural beauty.

“Uluṟu is a special place in Australia and a cultural landmark that identifies this wonderful country to the world. We look forward to once again connecting Australians and international tourists alike, to the spiritual heartland of Australia,” said Ms. Hrdlicka.

“We are also proud to be offering direct flights to Uluṟu from Melbourne and Brisbane for the first time. The forecast demand from these cities, coupled with excellent connectivity from our international airline partners, will provide a much-needed tourism boost to the region.  Greater competition in the market and more seat capacity to Uluru will also provide travelers with more choice and value next time they fly to the Red Centre.

“We carried over 19 million passengers domestically last year and we are excited to be adding more destinations to our network that connect Australians and open a new gateway of travel between our most popular tourist destinations and the world,” she said.

NT Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Joel Bowden said Territorians appreciated the support of Virgin Australia showcasing significant tourist attractions to local and overseas visitors.

“The Territory Labor Government is proud to welcome Virgin Australia back to Uluru.

 “Uluru is a must-do destination and a preferred destination for our international markets. Today's announcement will also increase connectivity for those international visitors travelling through Melbourne and Brisbane.”

Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, said that the return of Virgin Australia to the spiritual heart of the nation represents significant progress for tourism to Central Australia and particularly for Indigenous employment, tourism and training at Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru.

“Whether it's still on the bucket list or a much-loved destination, visiting Uluru is a must-do for international and Australian travelers alike. These new routes deliver more choice for travel to the NT, but also an abundance of convenient international connections through Virgin Australia's global network of partners,” continued Cameron-Smith. “Demand to visit Uluru is incredibly strong – driven by a wealth of amazing cultural experiences including the world-first AUD $10 million cultural drone and storytelling experience, Wintjiri Wiru – and we can't wait to roll out the red carpet for Virgin Australia's return to the Red Centre.”

The first flights will depart June 6, 2024, giving travelers plenty of time to enjoy the Northern Territory's peak tourism season (May to October).

MEDIA CONTACTS

Virgin Australia Group Corporate Affairs: corporateaffairs@virginaustralia.com  or 1800 142 467.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia: media@voyages.com.au

Tourism Northern Territory  North America: tourismnt@myriadmarketing.com

EDITOR'S NOTES

About Uluru

Located in the NT's iconic Red Centre, Uluru – the spiritual heart of Australia – is a world-renowned destination that is home to sacred wonders, striking desert landscapes and deep connection to Country.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List for both its natural and cultural values. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is one of only a few dozen places in the world that has received a dual World Heritage listing (and one of only four in Australia).

At 348m high, Uluru is one of the world's largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape and some 550 million years old. The Anangu are the traditional landowners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Things To Do in Uluru

Witness groundbreaking cultural storytelling

Wintjiri Wiru, which means 'beautiful view out to the horizon' in local Pitjantjatjara language, is a spectacular cultural storytelling experience that brings to life the ancient Mala story of the Anangu people. The show sees more than 1,100 choreographed drones, lasers, and projections light up the desert sky.

Catch an epic sunrise or sunset

Imbued with spirituality, witnessing Uluru at sunrise or sunset is a quintessential experience for every traveler. Sit back and watch Uluru transform from ochre brown to burnt orange to intense red and all the colours in between. There are five easily accessible viewing areas dedicated to experiencing and photographing Uluru at sunrise or sunset. Alternatively, book a segway, camel, helicopter or guided walking tour.

Dine under a canopy of stars

Experience world-class dining with a star-lit dinner on a private dune overlooking Uluru and distant domes of Kata Tjuta. As the sun sets and darkness falls in the desert, taste canapes and enjoy a menu infused with Indigenous and native ingredients, accompanied by a resident star-talker. Sounds of Silence offers a bush tucker inspired buffet while Tali Wiru is a table d'hote four-course extravaganza paired with premium champagne and wine.

Experience an Aboriginal arts and culture workshop

Join a dot-painting and cultural workshop at Maruku Arts, a collective comprising more than 900 Anangu artists from desert communities including those around Uluru. Sit with local artists and learn about traditional art, symbols, tools, language and stories behind the Anangu culture.

Marvel with wonder at Field of Light

Stretching across seven football fields, Field of Light is an illuminated fantasy garden comprising 50,000 spindles of light, whose stems sway through a coloured spectrum of ochre, deep violet, blue and gentle white, and light up the Red Centre desert as far as the eye can see. Created by internationally celebrated artist Bruce Munro, the mesmerising installation has been extended indefinitely due to popular demand.

Visit Kata Tjuta

Hike around the soaring rock domes of Kata Tjuta which glow beautifully at sunset and sunrise.  Choose from three established walking trails, which range in difficulty. The longest yet most rewarding of them all is the Valley of the Winds walk, a 7.4km steep circuit that offers unparalleled views of the spectacular desert landscape. 

About Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) established to undertake tourism business on its behalf. Voyages offers unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia including Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory, the primary tourism operator at Uluru and location of Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ). Voyages works closely with local communities, respecting and supporting Indigenous culture and offering employment, training and business development opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.