"Our Country'', Experience

 Wednesday 12 April

Last week the Hungry Hikers booked tickets to the hour-long, 360-degree cinematic experience produced by Australian Geographic, "Our Country". This event was held in the Brisbane Convention Centre, just a block away from Southbank and the Brisbane River.

Some interesting facts to read as we entered.

"Produced by Karina Holden, four-time 2022 Emmy Award winner and UNESCO Sydney City of Film: Filmmaker of the Year, the experience is made up of the works of 25 specialist cinematographers, brought to life from over 100,000 hours in the field. It celebrates every ecosystem in Australia and celebrates the grandeur and diversity of Australia’s wild places, with storms, lightning, fire and ice in their elemental forces."

Entry was via a darkened corridor where we were greeted by an owl silently, fluttering down from the high ceiling.

We then entered a circular area of 40 screens, a central cylindrical screen and an assortment of mirrored pillars. There was a scattering of bean bags and bench seats to relax in and soak up the grandeur and diversity of Australia's wild places. The video below may give you some sense of how we experienced this multi-sensory, immersive hour. There was no narration. 

Our journey started in the sandhills of central Australia.

We were soon engrossed in this visual feast of Australia's natural beauty. Laurel and Joc lay in beanbags, Jenny and Leanne rested on the bench seat and I sat on the floor with the bench as my backrest. Our heads were constantly swivelling to catch all the scenes. In hindsight, we were permitted to walk around and perhaps should have done, but then no one else was.

I only took a few photos to share here.

Winter snow has already fallen in the Australian Alps but we haven't been lucky enough to dash down for the real thing!

All our fingers are crossed that at least one of us will win one of these holidays.

A short walk along the river had us needing a coffee. Here we are sending Margot our best wishes for a fast recovery from her hip operation that morning. [The good news is that today she has moved to rehab.]

We were also wishing Leanne [L] and her friend Carol, all the very best as they set off this week to walk the Spanish Camino of 800 km.

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