Are you ready for a virtual adventure to light up your soul, make your heart sing with beauty, and spark the wanderlust inside you?
Step into BBC Earth Experience and enter a world where you are surrounded by captivating fireflies in an enchanting forest. Witnessing mighty elephant seals in action. Immerse yourself so deeply in nature that it feels like you’re part of it.
Embark on this unforgettable journey with the BBC Earth Experience, now showing at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 2023 until June 2024.
BBC Earth Exhibition Melbourne
Seven Worlds, One Planet was BBC One’s most-watched factual TV show of 2018 in the UK and premiered on Channel Nine in 2019. The award-winning television series, with 92 shoots across 41 countries, reveals the beauty, diversity, and fragility of our planet. It’s narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
With the BBC Earth Experience, visitors can take a majestic 360-degree audio-visual journey across all seven continents, without ever leaving Melbourne!
A Self-Guided Adventure
Imagine this: you’re standing at the threshold of an epic natural world journey, and there are no fixed paths to follow.
This is the unique experience that the BBC Earth Experience offers.
As you walk through the entrance, you’re greeted by a series of colossal screens that transport you to the heart of the wild. The visuals are overwhelming, the landscapes vast and vivid.
The BBC Earth Experience show loops every 70 minutes and you can enter, leave and wander around the screens and exhibitions as you wish.
Explore what captivates you the most: whether it’s the mysterious depths of the ocean, the untamed wilderness of a rainforest, or the rush of spiders from a dark cave!
There’s no rush, no pressure and I love the chilled-out experience of just sitting back and discovering the awe-inspiring world of nature with Attenborough’s dulcet tones.
Multiple Storylines in the Main Gallery
When you enter you’ll go straight to the Main Gallery, surrounded by a myriad of screens.
Depending on where you sit or stand, you find yourself immersed in different storylines, say on the journey of a polar bear or the lives of exotic birds.
It also means that every visit can be a different experience, a new adventure. You have the freedom to explore a multitude of perspectives every time.
Be Fully Surrounded by Immersive Imagery
At the heart of the BBC Earth Experience are the breathtaking visuals.
The epic screens make it feel like you’re right there in the midst of nature’s grandeur. The sensation can be quite overwhelming – you really feel like you’re breathing in nature.
An Immersive Forest of Fireflies
There are many highlights in the BBC Earth Exhibition, and one of my favourites is the enchanting forest of fireflies.
You’re in a darkened room, and all around you, tiny specks of light start to twinkle. They float gracefully, creating a mesmerising spectacle that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
This magical atmosphere is nothing short of spellbinding. Because the screens are so large, it feels like you’re not watching from a distance; you’re a part of the spectacle.
Witnessing a Four-Tonne Elephant Seal Fight
These moments of calm are interspersed by action and ferocity reminding us of the wild, untamed nature of the world.
Find yourself face-to-face with two four-tonne elephant seal behemoths engaged in battle.
Witnessing a fight between elephant seals up close is a rare and thrilling experience – and it’s not something most of us are going to encounter in our lives.
Short of travelling to the locations themselves, the BBC Earth Experience allows you to witness these powerful, majestic marine giants.
You’re not in harm’s way, but you’re close enough to understand the grandeur and power of these magnificent creatures.
Discover the Breakout Zones
Once you’ve experienced all 70 minutes of the TV show, the BBC Earth Experience has breakout zones that allow you to further explore the wonders of our planet.
For instance, in the Micro Life zone, you’ll find yourself in a world of tiny but incredibly complex organisms.
If you’re not scared of creepy crawlies, I dare you to press the red button to squash your fear of bugs!
Inside Water Life, you can discover the vibrant, alien-like creatures that inhabit the oceans. From the vibrant coral reefs to the inky depths, every corner of this watery world has a story to share.
BBC Earth Experience Melbourne FAQs
Is BBC Earth Experience suitable for kids?
Yes, the BBC Earth Experience is suitable for children.
Prams are not allowed inside the experience itself, but can be stored at the MCEC Customer Service desk which is located close to the entrance to the experience.
The main gallery has fixed couch seating and bean bags that you’re able to move into whatever position you choose.
Note the experience does include:
- Dark spaces, loud noises and bright light emitted from screens
- Footage from the BBC television series Seven Worlds, One Planet – including animals hunting, fighting and mating
- Creepy crawlies on screen – including spiders and insects
Tickets for kids under 3 years old are free.
How long should I expect to spend at BBC Earth Experience?
The film itself is 70 minutes long, on loop. The breakout areas offer more places to explore. If you stay for the whole film and visit every breakout space I’d estimate 90 minutes.
Can I bring food and drinks inside BBC Earth Experience?
No food or drinks are allowed.
At the exit, the Habitat Cafe offers snacks and drinks, including insect protein (cricket) corn chips and mealy worm snacks! The coffee, hot chocolate and chai are served in edible cups made from oats.
Can I buy tickets to BBC Earth Experience at the door?
Yes, you can buy tickets at the door, but to avoid disappointment I recommend booking BBC Earth Experience tickets online.
Are there any relaxed sessions of BBC Earth Experience?
There are relaxed performances once a month – check the ticketing page for booking and available time slots.
Note, that the show does include strobe lighting effects. Additionally, there is a short period with flashing lights and screen images during the performance. During relaxed performances, these are reduced.
Complimentary PA/Companion Tickets are available for guests. These can be booked online via Ticketmaster alongside your regular tickets, without any extra charges.
How do I get to BBC Earth Experience by public transport?
Train/Tram: The closest train station is Southern Cross.
Once you exit the station, catch the 96, 109 or 12 trams and arrive at MCEC in just a few stops (they’re part of the Free Tram Zone).
Bus: From Monday to Friday, bus route 237 goes via Southern Cross Station to Lorimer Street, which is roughly a five-minute walk to MCEC.
For further journey planning, please visit Public Transport Victoria’s Journey Planner.
Where do I park to get to BBC Earth Experience?
If you’re driving in, MCEC has an underground car park (park near door 9). Book online before you visit to get a discounted rate.
Other nearby parking include the South Wharf Retail, Siddeley St, Freeway and Montague Street car parks.
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