Wish you were elsewhere? Us too. There are so much to see and do in Melbourne and beyond – but chances are, you’re staying put for the time being. To help, here is a handy list of virtual experiences offered by Melbourne and Victoria’s top attractions – amazing art galleries, museums, wildlife sanctuaries, heritage sites and scenic locations.
There are so many ways to keep in touch, stay involved and be virtually out there. Bookmark for later and visit in real life or simply fill up your spare moments with one of these great virtual experiences.
ARTS & CULTURE
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Virtual Tours
Explore the National Gallery of Victoria’s galleries online. These free curator-led tours offer solace and inspiration through digital connection. With more than 68,000 works in the NGV Collection viewable online, hop on its virtual tours with the likes of Keith Haring | Jean-Michel Basquiat: Crossing Lines, KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness and Collecting Comme. Get behind the scenes by watching videos which delve into topics such as art, conservation, contemporary life, design architecture and more. NGV Learn’s activities promote creative and critical thinking, and visual literacy skills developed by teachers for primary school students of all levels.
- Sofles: Compendium
Explore the work of street artist Sofles with a virtual tour of Sofles: Compendium at Benalla Art Gallery. By the most contemporary street artists of his generation, Sofles: Compendium dates two decades worth of work. The exhibition showcases the life and art of Sofles, who rose to fame through his prominent work on train tracks, warehouses as well as nooks and crannies. Delve into his eclectic world of disruptive art which features never before seen photographs, original drawings, video and breathtaking murals illustrating his personal street art story.
- Rone @ Burnham Beeches
Explore street artist, Rone’s virtual reality installation at the historic Burnham Beeches mansion. Tyrone Wright (Rone) is known for his art works found in and around the urban streets of Melbourne’s inner-north, and in abandoned houses and venues – as well as his works on the Silo Art Trail. The artworks depict haunting, stylised portraits of women’s face and are aimed at finding the friction between beauty and decay. Rone’s takeover of Burnham Beeches is the biggest project he has ever undertaken. The venue was presented in an extreme state of distress and decay including new techniques developed to create the look of mould, peeling and chipped walls and surfaces. With styling and sound effects added, each room evokes a different feeling. Rone’s muse for the project is actor Lily Sullivan (Picnic at Hanging Rock, Mental). The result is EMPIRE.
SCIENCE & LEARNING
- Museum @ Home
There is no better way to learn than museums. Whether for young children, adults or the elderly, Museums Victoria is bringing the learning to homes. Discover various home projects to take on, explore the museums or dive into their digital channels to see what else is in store. From a world of museum experiences dating back to dinosaurs, learning about the human body, uncovering the secrets of the natural world in your own backyard to building a solar system – anything and everything that makes the brain busy, Museums Victoria has the perfect platform for curious minds.
- Scienceworks @ Home
Learn something new with Scienceworks, which promises a whole lot of science! With a curated online content to be enjoyed from the couch, find out interesting facts such as determining when a creature is extinct, the trials and triumphs of a trailblazing scientist, things that shouldn’t be put in a microwave to spending an evening with NASA on their journey to Pluto or simply explore exhibitions through virtual tours. Knowledge is the one thing that is constant at Scienceworks, so happy exploring!
- Mt Burnett Observatory
Can’t go outdoors? Well, get a 360° view of the day and night sky from an observatory in the Dandenong Ranges. Marvel at the changing skies that turn from dusk to dawn, with billions of mesmerising stars in the Milky Way in place. Look back at archives of past views or take up the challenge to custom-build an AllSky camera with a step-by-step guide of what is needed, and operate to see the best of nature!
NATURE & THE OUTDOORS
- Animal House @ The Zoo
Surely, everyone is curious how animals and zoos are coping from their safe enclosures. Watch the live stream cameras from Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healvesville Sanctuary to enjoy the zoo from anywhere. Check in on penguins, lions, zebras, koalas and giraffes; or meet the three Snow Leopard cubs, born on 26 January to first time mum Miska and dad Kang-Ju. See these animals during their designated feeding time, set to brighten one’s day through their quirks!
- Underwater reef cam: Port Phillip Bay
There is more than just zoos and sanctuaries in Melbourne, Victoria. Watch Port Phillip Bay’s fish, seals and even dolphins go about their daily business via an exciting underwater live-feed! From the bottom of the sea direct to one’s home screen, the webcam is solar-powered and operates during local daylight hours and when there is enough sun. Wander through the lives of flora and fauna in the depths of the sea or put some knowledge to the test to spot the fishes of Reef Cam. Reef Cam was established to create awareness of the value of Australia’s southern, temperate marine life and to provide picturesque seascapes!
- Parks Victoria YouTube Channel
Now that land and seas are covered, see what Parks Victoria have been up to from above. Check in on wild locations, conservation projects and tag along with park rangers on location. To bring the adventure closer to home, learn how to set up a tent in the garden to enjoy a home nature adventure or see Parks Victoria’s diverse natural environment through 360° videos from the Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Mount Buffalo and many more!
Of course, when the time is right to travel again, Melbourne and regional Victoria welcomes visitors to turn these travel dreams into reality through a personal experience to discover the region, a place where there is more to it than meets the eye!
