Inspired by MasterChef Australia 

MasterChef's Red Centre special is airing June 28, 2021 and June 29 at 7:30pm AEST. The episodes will see judges Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong and the final eight contestants explore the ancient, desert landscapes of Uluru and Alice Springs, drawing inspiration from Indigenous culture and flavours.

Contestants will serve up dishes using native ingredients in a team challenge at Bruce Munro’s Field of Light and an elimination challenge with bush food expert, Rayleen Brown of Kungkas Can Cook, at Simpson’s Gap.

Here's a roundup of some of the best foodie experiences in the Red Centre.

• Dine under the sparkling outback sky and on a private dune overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with once-in-a-lifetime Indigenous dining experiences at Voyages’s Sounds of Silence and Tali Wiru.

• Longitude 131’s signature dining experience, Table 131, features a decadent four-course dinner set among the red sand dunes in a remote, secret location and served under a canopy of stars.

• Considered one of Territory’s gems, Jimmy Shu’s Hanuman at Crowne Plaza Alice Springs offers an incredible fusion of Thai, Indian and Nonya (Chinese Malay) cuisine. The Hanuman oysters are highly recommended!

• Witness the outback’s star-filled skies with Earth Sanctuary. At Paint the Night By Moonlight, guests camp overnight in a swag, experience an award-winning astronomy tour and learn to paint by the moonlight, whilst being served a delicious platter and damper.

• Todd Mall, located in the heart of Alice Springs, has some hidden hipster delights. Head for brunch at cafe Page 27 and dance the night away at rooftop bar and tapas restaurant Epilogue Lounge.

• Owned by prominent chef Rayleen Brown, Kungkas Can Cook sells native Australian bush foods foraged from the Central Desert. Rayleen works with local Aboriginal communities, sharing ancient knowledge about bush foods and encouraging the ethical procurement of resources and foods that are locally sourced.

• Voyages Field of Light dinner combines the award-winning ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner and setting of Bruce Munro’s Field of Light, a mesmerising installation of 50,000 coloured-glass spheres illuminated against the backdrop of Uluru.

• Based in Watarrka  National Park (Kings Canyon), Karrke offer authentic tours and experiences as shared by the local Aboriginal people of the Central Australia region. Their one-hour Aboriginal Cultural Tour covers Aboriginal bush tucker, bush medicines, traditional dot painting and weapon making.

• The Red Centre's only operating brewery, Alice Springs Brewing Co, is the perfect place to stop by for a craft beer and classic Aussie pub meal.
• Voyages Walpa Lobby Bar is perfect for a relaxed breakfast, lunch and pre-dinner drink, serving bushfood inspired cocktails, like Myrtle Royale and Desert Sunrise.