Witness a new day break as a painting springs to life in our Red Centre

A painting comes to life with lights, lasers and music at Uluru's newest show.

In the cool air of a desert morning, with the great mass of Uluru set against a changing sky, a shimmering story plays out on the still earth and bush. Life blooms in colour and sound, as footprints traverse the land, tracing out the wisdom of the Anangu, the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta.

You don't take in this artwork, it takes you in, and that is by design.

Known as Sunrise Journeys, this light and laser show is the latest experience launched by Voyages Indigenous Tourism, following the success of evening events Wintjiri Wiru and Field of Light.

Kakalyalya (cockatoos) and nyii-nyii (finches) cross the country, and kapi (water) glimmers, as renowned Angangu artists Selina Kulitja, Denise Brady and Valerie Brumby narrate the story, gently yet firmly.

Music scores the flow of happy times into those of sorrow, yet the connection shared by Anangu, with one another and their land, remains steadfast and central.

Painted first onto canvas by the three artists, the story-telling experience layers that artwork and the artists' voices with illuminations from the team at Mandylights, and a musical score composed by local Anangu musician, Jeremy Whiskey.

The concept for the lightshow came together in just a matter of days, says Mandylights chief executive Richard Neville.

"It's almost like we take a camera and move around the image," he says of the canvas which remains on display at the Gallery of Central Australia (and is worth perusing afterwards).

Projecting it onto the landscape, including intricate illuminations upon particular trees, was a "painstaking process" which required designers to trace a high-resolution photograph of the painting by hand and divide it into more than 170 digital pieces for animation and projection.

But hard work is made to look easy by experts, and your mind doesn't turn to this exhaustive process as lights, sound and scenery wash over you in the early hours.

The experience includes transport to and from Ayers Rock Hotel, with guests departing about an hour before sunrise, and arriving at a sustainably constructed open-air amphitheatre overlooking Uluru. Tickets also include a seasonal breakfast, with hot drinks to warm you up on cooler mornings.

The launch of the sunrise viewing coincides with the Australian Native High Tea, hosted at Ayers Rock Resort's luxury accommodation option, Sails in the Desert.

Every bite of the generous selection of sweet and savoury petit fours feels like a new experience, with native ingredients from Central Australia showcased in each morsel.

Executive pastry chef Graciela Jonen says she wanted the flavours to feature "what people don't try every day".

"I've lived in Australia almost 10 years, and when I lived in the cities, almost no restaurants included any Indigenous flavours," she says. And while most high teas tend to be pleasant, this one is unforgettable. The aptly named "sweet temptations" make the experience a standout, balancing the intense decadence of an Uluru saltbush caramel Tim Tam against the fresh tang of lemon myrtle scones. The wild rosella flower mousse - a curious-looking pink cube - melts most satisfactorily in your mouth.

The treats are paired with more memorable flavours, in the range of teas offered by Indigenous-owned business Blak Brews. I try the Desert Sunrise, which swirls Australian sencha, strawberry gum, desert finger lime and calendula into a zesty yet drinkable blend.

There are an astounding number of things to do when visiting Uluru - more than 100 tours and experiences all up.

Sunrise Journeys complements the sunset drone show, Wintjiri Wiru, a world-first launched in 2023 which showcases more of the powerful knowledge of Anangu.

During the day, a visit to the Cultural Centre will build your basic understanding of the history of this sacred place, and offer glimpses into Tjukurpa, the traditional law and creation stories. And with an extra night to spare, spend it under the stars with a three-course buffet dinner, followed by a wander through the expansive Field of Light art installation.

Remarkably, these activities don't feel like distractions from the natural beauty of Uluru - instead they work together to impart knowledge from the traditional owners.

"We're able to bring these experiences to life thanks to the generosity of Anangu, who share their culture and their country with us," says Voyages chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith.

"It's a responsibility that we feel when guests come in, that they go away changed. They go away learning something, they go away enriched, and they go away understanding a bit more about culture and understanding a bit more about Anangu way of life."

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Sunrise Journeys, in particular, seeks to impart a message of humanity at the dawn of a new day, "for people to understand that we all are human, we've all got souls," says artist Denise Brady. "It's just something that we've got inside our hearts, and it's connected to everybody, for everyone to understand and have respect for each other."

It's a reminder worth holding onto, when you return to the overwhelm of daily routine. But in order to really hear it, you have to visit.

Getting there: Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar fly into Ayers Rock/Connellan Airport.

Staying there: Pick from a range of options at Ayers Rock Resort, including luxury at Sails in the Desert (from $475 per night), to hotel views of Uluru at Desert Gardens (from $420 per night) and camping options (from $40 per night).

While there: Sunrise Journeys tickets $125 per adult, $75 per child. Australian Native High Tea from $75 per adult, $45 per child, bookings available daily from 2pm to 4pm.

Explore more: ayersrockresort.com.au

The writer was a guest of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.