The Antarctic Journey

An immersive, dramatic and pedagogic exhibition, The Antarctic Journey, a joint venture between Phillip Island Nature Parks and WWF (one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations) Australia, is claimed to be the world’s first interactive virtual reality Antarctic experience.

Featuring over 159 sq. m. (1,700 sq. ft.) of digital high-definition screens showing footage of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, this $5 million project was opened in December 2015.

Structured around an artificial interior landscape, it draws its inspiration from the geology of this spectacular site and the incredible forces of wind and water that define this place.  The exhibition provokes questions about our natural world and the life of the southern oceans.

Here, I immersed myself in a spectacular multimedia wildlife experience as I embarked on a virtual journey to Antarctica, the world’s most extreme continent.

I enjoyed its fun, hands-on activities designed to entertain and educate.  Consisting of three distinct levels, the first level features Phillip Island as the gateway to Antarctica, although the island is almost 4,000 kms. (2,500 mi.) away from Antarctica.

At the second level, known as The Lab, I was able to “feel the freeze” as I entered the Antarctic Chill Zone, experiencing the same sort of conditions as an Antarctic researcher.

The Antarctic Chill Zone

Questions such as “What is more likely to sink – a bowling ball or a marble?,” “What is the Cocktail Party Effect?,” “How does my thermal image compare to an Emperor penguin?” and more are  answered by an array of hands on activities, ensuring that the unique wildlife, the ongoing research activities and the critically important conservation values of remote Antarctica come alive to guests.

At the Sound Lab and Research Station, I was offered an insight into the sights and sounds of Antarctic wildlife through animal calls, microscopes and fascinating specimens.

Sound Lab and Research Station

The unique wildlife, ongoing research activities, and the critically important conservation values of this remote continent, with the remarkable Antarctic landscape as the backdrop, came alive before my eyes.

The author at The Chamber

At The Chamber, the final, state of the art multimedia experience, I found myself blown away by the screen as I was enthralled by a breathtaking audio-visual spectacle which placed me right in the heart of the action level via cutting-edge “augmented reality” technology.

Whale Migration Game

I found myself able to stand on an ice floe and feel like I can reach out to pat a penguin, stroke a seal or marvel at a whale or shark, all of which appear on the screen with me, this up close and personal experience making me feel part of it all.

I felt that the animals were real and I can’t even imagine how they made the “augmented reality” screen. This complete immersion can only be described by me as stunning and breathtaking.

Nobbies Ocean Discovery Centre: Ventnor Road, Summerlands 3922, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Open 10 AM daily and closes approximately one hour before sunset each day to protect the native wildlife – approx. 4 PM (Winter), approx.5 PM (Autumn), approx. 6 PM (Spring) and approx. 7.30 PM (Summer). Admission (include daily guided tours, 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM): $18.00 (adult, 16 years+), $9.00 (child, 4-15 years), $45.00 (family – 2 adults and 2 children) and $12.60 (Australian Pensioner, ID required). A proportion from each Antarctic Journey ticket sale will go towards WWF-Australia’s conservation work including Antarctic whale research. The 20 min. guided tours commence by the Ticketing Desk.