A Polar Expedition Without Leaving Home
How do you showcase a 160-metre research vessel when it's halfway to Antarctica? That was the brief. Our answer was a two-pronged Augmented Reality campaign: a site-specific AR art trail at Hobart's waterfront, and a companion app for iOS and Android that let users explore the ship from anywhere. Every element of the RSV Nuyina - from radar domes to science labs -was recreated by our in-house 3D team, delivering the ship’s scale, complexity, and mission in stunning detail.
Step Into the Science
More than a visual showpiece, Antarctic Explorer AR turns passive viewing into interactive discovery. Points of Interest on the 3D ship reveal detailed insights into the vessel’s scientific features, engineering innovations, and research capabilities. Tapping into the AR Portals, users are transported into the daily grind of Antarctic researchers - peering into ice labs, survival tents, and the continent’s endless white horizon.
Access for All, Education for Everyone
By designing for both location-based and mobile use, we ensured the RSV Nuyina could be explored by locals in Hobart and global audiences alike. The on-site trail draws foot traffic and curiosity, while the app extends the educational reach beyond geography. Whether you're a student, science enthusiast or curious explorer, the experience offers a self-guided deep dive into Australia's Antarctic research efforts.
Bridging the Gap Between Ship and Shore
At its core, this AR experience bridges a real-world gap: how to showcase a vital national asset that's rarely in port. By pairing spatial storytelling with interactive tech, we created an experience that’s part exhibition, part expedition - raising awareness of Australia’s Antarctic mission and making the hidden world of polar science visible, accessible, and unforgettable.
Antarctic Explorer
Putting a $528M Antarctic icebreaker in the palm of your hand In collaboration with the Australian Antarctic Division, we developed an immersive AR experience that brings the awe-inspiring RSV Nuyina to life. Whether standing on the Hobart waterfront or scanning from a smartphone halfway around the world, users can now explore Australia’s state-of-the-art icebreaker in hyper-realistic 3D — and step through portals into daily life on the frozen continent.
Category
SCREENplay
Year
2022
Client
Australian Antarctic Division
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