This February, our Director and Physiotherapist Bianca visited the WA Maritime Museum (WAMM) and took part in a guided Virtual Reality (VR) tour of Antarctica in The Antarctica Experience. WAMM describes the experience as a way to:
Transport yourself to a world of ice and snow through the wonder of virtual reality and explore a day in the life of Australian Antarctic scientists as they research Antarctica from Davis Research Station.
During the experience you’ll get the opportunity to see Antarctica from the view of a helicopter, interact with the penguin colony and their new chicks, see the Davis Research Station, and see the Southern Lights. The event is running until March 31st, 2024 and concession prices are available for admission. Entry is free for someone to join you with a companion card. You can arrive on the day and purchase a ticket, or pre-book a ticket to beat the queue.
Held in The Auditorium at WAMM, the event is fully accessible. The Museum can be accessed by a ramp or steps and The Auditorium is located on the ground floor nearby an accessible toilet. If you’re attending the event in a wheelchair, the auditorium has floorspace near the front – don’t worry about feeling in the way, once you have your headset on, you’ll forget there’s anyone else there with you! WAMM has more information about accessibility available on their website.
The VR headsets can be worn with prescription glasses and can be adjusted to suit being worn in a reclined wheelchair position. If you’re unable to look around while wearing the headset, you’ll still be immersed in the experience and won’t miss much – except for the odd penguin here and there.
Bianca was amazed at the quality of the experience as well as the options for accessibility. What a great way to travel to The South Pole without leaving the comfort and warmth of WA! We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in finding out more about accessible events around Perth or if you’ve had any great experiences like this one – get in contact and share your thoughts with us!
Photos, video, and information courtesy of WA Maritime Museum.
