The most comprehensive program of native flavour experiences celebrating Indigenous food and culture in Australia today is now on offer at Ayers Rock Resort in Australia's Northern Territory.

'Bush tucker' is the Australian term for the huge variety of native herbs, spices, fruits, seeds, insects and wildlife that Indigenous Australians have been eating for tens of thousands of years. To most non-Indigenous people the plants are a mystery, the ancient cooking methods unconventional and they are at a loss as to how to incorporate these ingredients into everyday cooking.

Ayers Rock Resort's Bush Tucker Journeys program brings these ancient flavours into modern cuisine – it influences every dining experience, cementing Ayers Rock Resort's place as the Bush Tucker capital of Australia.

“Located in the spiritual heart of Australia, and home to the world's oldest living culture, this is arguably the best place in Australia to experience its unique and rich native flavours”, said Ray Stone, Voyages Executive General Manager Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

Key elements of the Bush Tucker Journeys program are: 

- A free daily Bush Food Experience where guests learn about native Australian ingredients, ancient food preparation techniques and a demonstration of how these ingredients can be used in modern cooking as they learn to make wattle seed shortbread. 

- Each of the Resort's 10 restaurants feature menus that celebrate bountiful bush ingredients. From the humble croc-dog at Outback Pioneer's BBQ Bar to the perfectly succulent Indigenous herb crusted steak at Desert Gardens Hotel's more sophisticated Arnguli restaurant – there are endless options to discover new tastes. 

- The ancient flavours take centre stage at each of Uluru's under the night sky dining experiences. Taste Dukkah Seared Kangaroo Loin on Quandong Cous Cous with Native Mint Yoghurt at the magical A Night at Field of Light or try House-smoked Crocodile on Mini Dampers with Desert Lime Preserve at the award-winning Sounds of Silence. 

The pinnacle of the outdoor dining experiences is Tali Wiru; the open air gastronomic experience offers a magical evening of fine dining on a remote sand dune overlooking Uluru, limited to just 20 people per evening. The menu features canapes such as Seared Scallop with Finger Lime Buerre Noisette or Ham Hock and Kangaroo Terrine with pickled Riberry and Damper and entrees including Pressed Wallaby with Fermented Quandong, Hung Yoghurt, Pomegranate and Puffed Ancient Grains. Mains include Glacier 51 Toothfish with Parsnip and Miso Mousseline, Compressed Apple, Coastal Greens, Desert Oak, Fermented Muntries and Leek Ash. To finish, desserts on offer include Textures of Chocolate with Davidson Plum, Lemon Myrtle, Quandong and Hot Chocolate sauce. 

During the warmer months, the Mayu Wiru fine dining experience is available in place of Tali Wiru. A maximum of just 16 guests enjoy an exceptional Indigenous-inspired gourmet menu in a private dining room at Sails in the Desert Hotel, followed by a private tour of Field of Light Uluru.

- Guests can learn about native food gathering daily – with Bush Yarns explaining the skills of the hunter, or learn the gatherers ways on one of the Garden Walks, as they hear how Indigenous people traditionally lived by using the bush for food and medicinal purposes, both daily and free to guests.

- A wide range of bush tucker ingredients are available for sale at the Resort so that guests are able to take home the unique tastes of Australia and incorporate them into their daily cooking.

“The appetite amongst today's travellers for truly authentic experiences is seemingly insatiable and bush tucker is such a wonderfully engaging way of helping to tell Australia's rich Indigenous story”, said Tourism Australia CEO John O'Sullivan.

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­­­­­About Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) 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, Home Valley Station in The Kimberley in Western Australia and the Mossman Gorge Centre, in Tropical North Queensland. Voyages works collaboratively with local communities, respecting and supporting the local Indigenous cultures and offering employment and training opportunities to the local and broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Profits from all business activities are re-invested in the Indigenous and resort experiences and through the various training and development programs in place around Australia.