By Leigh O’Connor.
Under an infinite canopy of desert stars, where the heart of Australia beats strongest, Tali Wiru once again reigns supreme. The signature open-air fine dining experience at Ayers Rock Resort has been named Oceania’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant at the 2025 World Culinary Awards - for the second consecutive year.
Set atop a remote desert dune overlooking the sacred silhouettes of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Tali Wiru is more than a restaurant - it’s a spiritual encounter with land, flavour and culture. As dusk melts into indigo night, firelight flickers across linen-draped tables and the scent of native herbs mingles with the desert breeze.
This intimate experience, limited to just 20 guests per evening, is an ode to the power of place - where the stories of the Anangu people and the artistry of Modern Australian cuisine intertwine.
A Taste of Country, Curated by the Elements
Tali Wiru’s award-winning four-course menu tells a story that unfolds with every bite. Crafted from 99% Australian-sourced ingredients, it celebrates the nation’s vast, untamed landscapes - kangaroo from the Northern Territory, chestnuts from Victoria and produce nurtured in Ayers Rock Resort’s own gardens.
The culinary journey begins with glacier 51 toothfish, its buttery texture offset by the crisp acidity of Penfolds Cellar Reserve Chardonnay, Tumbarumba - a pairing that speaks of both ocean and mountain.
The native spiced lamb backstrap, glazed with muntrie jus and served alongside truffle risotto, finds perfect harmony in Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz Coonawarra, a wine of elegance and restraint that cuts deftly through the richness of the dish.
Dessert is a desert honey apple tarte tatin, a warm embrace of caramel and spice elevated by Penfolds Father Grand Tawny 10 Years, its amber sweetness echoing the glow of the firelight.
Partnership of Passion and Place
This seamless union of cuisine and culture is deepened through a remarkable partnership with Penfolds, one of Australia’s most iconic wine producers. Together, they craft an experience that transcends dining - a dialogue between flavour and story.
The collaboration has been recognised beyond the plate, with a nomination in the 2025 HM Awards for Innovative Collaboration, celebrating the creative synergy between Tali Wiru and Wintjiri Wiru, the resort’s acclaimed cultural storytelling spectacle.
"Tali Wiru is a celebration of Country, where ancient culture meets world-class cuisine,” says Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. "Our partnership with Penfolds adds depth and discovery, allowing guests to connect with the land through flavour, story and hospitality.”
For Scott Worrall, Penfolds Sales Director ANZ, it’s an equally profound collaboration: "We are delighted to celebrate Tali Wiru’s continued success. Together, we deliver world-class hospitality experiences in one of Australia’s most iconic settings.”
A Rare and Radiant Experience
Open seasonally from April to October, Tali Wiru - meaning beautiful dune in the local Pitjantjatjara language - remains one of the most sought-after dining experiences in the world. Its recent accolades from the Australian Good Food Guide, including a Chef Hat and Readers’ Choice Award, further affirm its standing as a culinary beacon in the Red Centre.
Here, dining becomes communion. Every glass raised and every flavour savoured becomes a moment of reverence - for the land, for its people and for the ancient stories whispered across the desert night.
