27 February 2024
Palya,
Warm greetings from Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and welcome to "The Yarn".
Please see below an update on what's new at Voyages, Ayers Rock Resort, and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre.
Voyages' Ayers Rock Resort achieves Advanced Ecotourism Certification
We are proud to advise Ayers Rock Resort is the first organisation of 2024 to become ECO Certified - achieving both Advanced Ecotourism and Respecting Our Culture certification in recognition of our ongoing work in sustainability and responsible cultural tourism. The Resort joins Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre on the esteemed list of recipients.
As Voyages operates in some of Australia's most sensitive ecosystems and culturally significant destinations, obtaining Ecotourism supports the organisations' goal of ensuring these locations are protected for future generations to experience and enjoy.
Alongside its sustainability initiatives of an onsite solar field, drive-through recycling centre and wildlife conservation programs, Ayers Rock Resort offers respectful and responsible cultural tourism in the spiritual heart of Australia, the iconic Red Centre. Simply by staying at Ayers Rock Resort or experiencing one of Voyages' many tours, unique dining experiences and art, visitors can experience Uluru in immersive ways whilst supporting local communities, contributing to cultural preservation, and leaving a low-impact environmental footprint.
The organisation's strong commitment to social responsibility means ongoing investment to support the improvement of cultural tourism facilities, as well as Indigenous training and employment across Australia.
Read more on Ayers Rock Resort's Ecotourism and Respecting Our Culture certifications here.
Virgin Australia flights return to Uluru
Virgin Australia will return flying to Uluru, with the announcement of two brand-new direct services from Melbourne and Brisbane to Uluru, commencing in early June 2024, adding 62,000 seats per year to the Red Centre.
The first flight will depart Melbourne on Thursday 6 June, operating up to four times a week, with the inaugural Brisbane flight following the next day, Friday 7 June, flying three times a week. Schedule details below:
Melbourne to Uluru:
- Frequency: Up to 4 services per week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
- Seats Per Month (in each direction): Up to 3,100 seats during peak season
- Commencement Date: 6 June 2024
Brisbane to Uluru:
- Frequency: 3 services per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Seats Per Month (in each direction): 2,330+ seats
- Commencement Date: 7 June 2024
Virgin Australia's return to Uluru is great news for the international traveller with only one stop from global hubs like Singapore and North America, providing connectivity to on of Australia's iconic destinations for international visitors travelling through Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tali Wiru scores a Chef's Hat AND Readers' Choice Award
We're delighted to announce Tali Wiru, the native and Indigenous gastronomic adventure in the spiritual heart of Australia, has been awarded an Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat for 2024 and a Readers' Choice Award, becoming the highest rated restaurant in the NT, and the only entirely outdoor dining experience in Australia to be recognised.
Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) Chef Hats have been awarded around the country since 1982. These awards are the result of careful deliberation. Inspectors appointed by the AGFG dine anonymously and pay full fare, and their reviews together with the opinions of the dining public determine the results. There are six key attributes considered in the judging: ingredients, taste, presentation, technique, value, and consistency. Readers' Choice Awards give the Australian public the opportunity to vote for their favourite establishments throughout the year.
With a score of 15, the Australian Good Food Guide said Tali Wiru's unique blend of modern Australian with Indigenous and native flavours represents "Food Quite Out of the Ordinary."
Rachael Hodges 'Women in Travel Power List'
We are excited and proud to share Rachael Hodges, General Manager of Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, has made the 8th spot on the Travel Weekly Australia 'Women in Travel Power' list.
Rachael has guided the process at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre with a passion for sharing the beauty of Aboriginal culture and history.
Today, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre welcomes 370,000 visitors each year to the world's oldest continually surviving rainforest and employs 70 people from May through September. Of those employees, 65% are Indigenous. Our team includes local Kuku Yalanji who are proud to share their stories and their knowledge of the Mossman area with our visitors. Indigenous staff from other areas across Queensland and Australia have joined us to now call Mossman home.
Best Regards,
Your Voyages Sales Team