Sounds of Silence Restaurant

Ayers Rock, Australia

Dine under a million stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner. You'll travel to a secluded formal dining setting in the middle of the desert, and sip champagne as the sound of the didgeridoo fills the air and the sun sets slowly over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Dinner is a gourmet barbecue of Australian delicacies such as kangaroo, barramundi, crocodile and emu, served with bush condiments including bush tomato chutney, lemon myrtle, native mint, wild lime and wattleseed.

After dinner, you'll sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as a star-talker takes you on a tour of the southern night skies. Sounds of Silence is the winner of the 1997 and 1998 Australian Tourism Awards for Australia's best tourism restaurant.

USD $164.60

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Jennifer N	April 2012
A very popular experience judging by the six bus loads of diners leaving from our hotel. Due to the number of participants, four different viewing and dining areas were utilised that evening. Views from our hotel were actually better than from the viewing area we were taken to. Food was delicious and plentiful, wait staff very attentive. Star gazing talk a definite highlight of the evening. A pity that our talented Digeridoo player had to leave early to get to the other dining sites. His playing certainly enhanced the outback atmosphere.

Review by: Christine S	April 2012
HAD A WONDERFUL NIGHT FOOD VERY GOOD STARGAZING SPECTACULAR

Review by: Michael H	March 2012
Whilst the scenery was spectacular and the canapes and champagne on arrival great, I was left disappointed with the overall experience. The price indicated to me that we would be in for a great evening but I think the organisers have done a great job in hyping up the dinner. The photo that accompanies the event has candles on the table. We had a light which was not romantic at all. The didgeridoo player was there for a fraction of the time and the food was nothing spectacular and definitely not worth the price.

Review by: Michael H	March 2012
Whilst the scenery was spectacular and the canapes and champagne on arrival great, I was left disappointed with the overall experience. The price indicated to me that we would be in for a great evening but I think the organisers have done a great job in hyping up the dinner. The photo that accompanies the event has candles on the table. We had a light which was not romantic at all. The didgeridoo player was there for a fraction of the time and the food was nothing spectacular and definitely not worth the price.

Review by: Diane C	March 2012
Very enjoyable evening. Drinks were included which was great. Had a table of travellers from around the globe. Food was delicious.

Review by: Terry W	March 2012
Nicely done. Even though we were so "lucky" as to be out under a cloudy sky---rarest of rare occurrences at Ayers Rock---the staff made the program entertaining. Great experience!

Review by: doreen f	March 2012
the evening we attended the dinner was quite warm. This made it quite uncomfortable sitting outside. Once it got dark, the flying insects kept dive-bombing. because the Wine flowed freely, several groups got rowdier as the night wore on. after the dinner, they asked us to listen to the 'silence' which was impossible with the couple of rowdy tables. Other than that, the food was good and uniquely Australian. we had clouds so the star gazing couldn't happen but the story teller was still good. In better weather and with a better behaved crowd, this might have been enjoyable. not sure it's worth the money though.

Review by: Radoslav O	February 2012
Great to see but the eating was to short.

Review by: Bea	February 2012
Is a must do - a candle lit dinner in the desert, under a starry sky, with the mystical Uluru on one side and the fascinating Olga’s in the distance on the other side. As the sun set down over Uluru we were served Kangaroo, Emu and Crocodile canapés with champagne drinks. The main meal was very good and there was plenty of it plus the wine was free flowing. To add to the enjoyment of the evening we had the pleasure of sharing a table with a group other like minded fellow travellers. Everyone had fantastic evening that no one wanted it to end. It was worth every cent. _br/_ (A mother and young adult daughter travelling together - can you imagine how more enjoyable it would be for a couple).

Review by: Jacqueline H	February 2012
Beautiful night! Stars were amazing.

Review by: yidaki_bagpiper	January 2012
wonderful tour. great value for the heart and the pocket

Review by: Jacinta H	January 2012
Beautiful setting, not a cloud in the sky. Food was good and staff very friendly. The didgeridoo playing on arrival was great as well.

Review by: Stacy C	November 2011
This dinner is a must do for anyone traveling to Ayers Rock. The evening begins with canapes, champagne, and a didgeredoo performance! Dinner under the stars is breathtaking and the food is delicious!

Review by: Lynette R L	October 2011
We had American guests and we all absolutely loved it

Review by: MELISSA J F	October 2011
Lovely evening, would recommend highly but a little costly. It was my second visit and the stars came out this time.

Review by: Clare H	September 2011
Lovely experience, food was fine for being prepared for being in the dessert -although the website does not tell you that it is a self service buffet. The best part was the welcome canapés and drinks overlooking sunset at Uluru.

Review by: Gerry M	September 2011
The Sounds of Silence experience was disappointing. The whole evening did not measure up to the publicity of the evening and lacked aboriginal cultural experience, food quality, and a venue that allowed real appreciation of the size and colour of Uluru and the Olgas at sunset. Instead you were bussed to a central location between both, with both being sufficiently far away on the horizon to not allow appreciation of the awesome size and majesty of these significant Australian attractions. Given the poor standard of accommodation at Yulara, relative to cost, my tip is to fly in in the morning, hire a car and do the tours yourself, and fly out in the evening as the cultural enrichment by the local aboriginals amounts to a big fat 0. This will avoid being ripped off for accommodation that costs twice what it should, and which lacks cleaning and maintenance.

Review by: Margaret A J	September 2011
Venue good 'Champagne' ordinary. Canapes good but insufficient in relation to alcohol. Organisation efficient, food ordinary- except wonderful lamb chops- no emu. Some dessert had run out before I got there. No real coffee was very surprising and disappointing. In summary a nice experience but not good value for money.

Review by: Sue	September 2011
Evening well worthwhile and many things done well., Overall the night presented a great Aussie experience. Staff were great and "entertainment" professional and intersting. A couple of things could be done better and marred the experience and hence my rating: more hors d'ouvres needed (or eat a little before you come), and the buffet presented too many choices of varying quality - would much prefer less choice done well. Also. Insufficient desserts - there was none left when I got there. Would still recommend going.

Review by: Alistair G	September 2011
Great evening out under the stars. Considering where you are (ie in the desert) the food is fine and the service good. Beautiful sunset views. Well organised tour.

Review by: R E R	September 2011
Spectacular, good food and staff great

Review by: Chris Blakeley B	September 2011
What a memorable experience.

Review by: Tracey D	September 2011
Fantastic Value... lots of fun had. Lovely food and great venue. Nothing else like it anywhere I shouldn't imagine. The startalk was a little bit disappointing but still fun - the telescopes made up for it. would recommend.

Review by: Ronald P	September 2011
An absolutely amazing experience, if you get the chance to do this, do not miss it!!

Review by: Anthonia J	September 2011
What a great experience in the land of awe and wonder in a setting that would be hard pressed to compete with. THANK YOU

Review by: John M	September 2011
This is a must do. Perfectly run. Top quality. What a unique experience.

Review by: Robert F	September 2011
The Sounds of Silence Restaurant was a wonderful experience. Highly recommended. The location in the desert with a view of Ulura, the great food and wines, and also the lovely people who were at the table we joined, all made it a memorable evening. The astronomer's talk and the viewing of Saturn through his telescope capped off a great event. Highly recommended.

Review by: Sharon B	September 2011
food not the greatest but the view, drinks and other diners made it a great experience

Review by: Robert P	August 2011
fantastic and well organised

Review by: Terence H	August 2011
We had a great time at the "Sound of Silence" in ayres Rock, the staff are very friendly and the chef amazing cooking in the middle of the desert. All kinds of food for all tastes._br/_ It does get chilly when the sun goes down but hey ,rug up!! or take with you.A few more heaters on the outside would be great._br/_ A brilliant experience was had by all._br/_ I had pre paid for the tour but the hotel still charged me on the hotel bill, so check before you leave, no problem they re-embersed us,

Review by: Stephanie B	August 2011
Hands down an incredible experience. We had perfect clear weather which makes it that much better as your there for sunset and stargazing. Food was good too. Start to finish a fun and enchanting night.

Review by: Sheena O	August 2011
From the moment we stepped off the bus, the service was excellent, the venue sublime and the food and wine reaaly good. Our fun and enthusiastic astronomer added to a perfrect night.

Review by: Uwe S	August 2011
Excellent food and entertainment, although the experience is a bit rushed. I would have wished that the dining site be a little closer to Ayers Rock to appreciate it better.

Review by: Jan	August 2011
Absolutely fantastic! Worth every penny and then some! I have many food allergies and they were able to direct me to what I was able to eat which was a lot! The on-site chef phoned his head chef to double check three times and never made me feel like it was a problem. HE wanted to be sure! That care is something special and I appreciated it! _br/_ Mike the star man was superb. His show was outstanding and he readily shared his knowledge with one and all even after the main story-telling. A small group of us were talking for a long time by the telescopes after he showed us the rings of Saturn! Incredible. I never imagined that I would see that!_br/_ We had a birthday girl at our table and as we sang her Happy Birthday, the waiters surprised us all with a platter of small yummy treats and a beautifully chocolate written note. That was above and beyond! _br/_ The staff was very caring, fun and attentive. The bus driver was jovial and punctual. Shannon, our head waiter, was on top of every need anyone had. _br/_ The appetizers were plentiful as was the beverages offered as we watched sunset listening to our cute diji player. The rest of the wait staff was efficient and friendly. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience! I am so glad I went!!!!

Review by: Lauren J	July 2011
WOnderful evening, really worth the money. The drinks and canapes watching the sunset were lovely, dinner was great. The sky was so clear we could see so many stars and the star talk was done in a really interesting way. The didj player was also fantastic. One of the best experiences of our holiday.

Review by: Lisa W	July 2011
The sounds of silence dinner was amazing and a really nice way to finish our holiday. We met some really great people. The views of Uluru were awesome - so glad I took my camera! Dinner once again was great. The canapes at the beginning gave us a chance to try some things that we never had before. I would highly recommend this dinner.

Review by: Monica T	July 2011
We thoroughly enjoyed this dinner. To watch the sun set at Ayers Rock with champagne and appetizers, a lovely dinner while meeting fellow travelers from Australia and around the world and then stories of the constellations under the night sky was a wonderful way to start our Australian vacation.

Review by: julie W	July 2011
Champayne on arrival, then had great finger food followed by a short walk in the desert to the tables. Staff were great, food was delicious, free flowing alcohol was nice and the start show was brilliant including using the telescopes.

Review by: Gwen A	July 2011
This tour exceeded all our expectations. One would think that in the outback of Australia there would be inevitable hickups but everything went smoothly. A perfect evening.

Review by: Peter B, Australia	July 2010
A great experience, from the didge welcoming us to the champagne and tasty canapes. The food was good buffet quality, good variety and plentiful. The startalker was exceptional on this perfect desert evening. A night to remember.

Review by: Jo E, United Kingdom	June 2010
A fantastic evening to celebrate my 40th birthday. A not to be missed experience.

Review by: Beth S, Australia	June 2010
Such a great night and we really loved it. Well organised and the service was excellent. It was so special to have the rock in the distant background.

Review by: Jared G, United States of America	June 2010
The experience was one I will never forget. It was amazing to see the sunset at Uluru. Along with having a very good dinner under the amazing night sky. The astronomer was very good. I highly recommend this.

Review by: julian s, Australia	June 2010
Fantastic night. Loved the didgeridoo player and the astronomy talk. Food was fabulous.

Review by: Gudrun E, Australia	May 2010
Best dinner Experience I had. Everyone should do this in once Lifetime. It was my birthday, so it was fantastic to have a Star talk as well as the dinner UNDER the Stars. I will defenietly come again. By the way i am german , so the Landscape meant even more to me. Felt very moved by the Size and Presence of The ROCK.

Review by: Robert G, Australia	May 2010
We loved the whole thing. Great food and wine, a great view of the sunset and then the stars. Telescope view of Saturn and another galaxy an added bonus.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	April 2010
I was disappointed to find no star gazing excursions available from the resort so pleased to see one included in the dinner. Food was great. Highly recommended.

Review by: Wayne T, Australia	April 2010
What an absolutely unique and marvellous experience! The staff at the restaurant were impecably professional, the meal was an amazing array of tantalising dishes to tempt the tastebuds and to encourage diners to experience real Aussie fare. The entertainment was a bonus and enjoyable portion of the experience. The only suggestion I would offer to improve the evening would be to have a more organised way of picking up the guests from their accommodation and checking them in. Perhaps dropping a staff member at each venue to correlate the names prior to the transport arrival would expedite the boarding of the busses, and the evening would be a pleasant one right from the start.

Review by: ANN M F, United States of America	March 2010
This was the best tour we took at Ayers Rock. The food was great, the servers were attentive and the star talker really knew his stuff - even though it was cloudy and there was only one star! The view of Ayers Rock from our dining spot was amazing.

Review by: Andrea B, Italy	February 2010
The location was amazing, the food was good and particular and the staff were all very kind and friendly! We also saw the Milky Way and it seems you can touch the stars! Thanks for this experience!!