A New Virtual Reality Journey Through the Cosmos Has Landed in Melbourne
Travel from the Sun to a black hole without leaving Bourke Street.
A new immersive experience has just opened at the same Melbourne CBD venue that brought us Titanic and Machu Picchu in virtual reality. Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience takes visitors on a 40-minute walkthrough of the universe, developed with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. We haven’t been through the headset ourselves yet, but here’s everything we know so far, along with what to expect based on our experience with the venue’s previous VR productions.
Also happening now: Machu Picchu VR in Melbourne
What is Smithsonian Starstruck?
Smithsonian Starstruck is a free-roam virtual reality experience, meaning you walk around an open space wearing a wireless headset rather than sitting still in a seat. The journey begins at an observatory and moves through the cosmos, including a close-up look at the Sun, a supernova explosion, and a trip to the edge of a black hole. A virtual host called Astro guides you along the way, and you’ll see fellow visitors as glowing, starry avatars sharing the same virtual space.
Groups of up to six people go through together, with new groups departing roughly every three minutes. It’s a similar format to the Machu Picchu and Titanic experiences that have previously run at this venue, just with your feet planted on Earth and your eyes somewhere else entirely.
What to expect on the day you go
Based on what we know about Starstruck, and what we’ve found true of the venue’s earlier VR shows, here’s what your visit will likely involve:
- Arrive 15 minutes early. You’ll need time to drop off your belongings in a free locker, sign a waiver, and get fitted with your headset before the 40-minute VR portion begins.
- Glasses are fine, but skip the varifocals if you can. Standard single-vision glasses work well under the headset. Multifocal or varifocal lenses may affect how clearly you see the visuals, something we noticed mentioned in reviews of similar experiences at this venue.
- No bags inside the VR space. Backpacks and handbags need to go in the lockers provided, which are free to use.
- There’s no seating built into the experience, as it’s designed as a walkthrough, but a wheelchair-optimised viewing mode is available, along with free wheelchairs on site if you’d rather stay seated throughout. Benches are also available in the lobby before and after.
- If you feel unsteady, raise your hand. Staff are on hand throughout and can pause things or guide you if you need a moment.
- Hearing aids are catered for. The headset speakers sit over your ears rather than in them, and a neck loop with T-coil compatibility is available on request for compatible hearing aids.
Is this one for you?
If you enjoyed the Titanic or Machu Picchu VR experiences, this looks to be cut from the same cloth, just with a different destination. Space and astronomy have broad appeal, and the format doesn’t require any reading or close-up screen work, which makes it a comfortable option for those who find smaller print or fast-moving museum displays tiring.
As with the other VR experiences at this venue, the main consideration is motion. You’re standing and moving on a flat floor the whole time, but the visuals can include the sensation of heights, moving environments or shifting perspective, which some visitors find disorientating until their brain adjusts. If you’re prone to vertigo, motion sickness or balance concerns, it’s worth bearing in mind, and pregnant visitors are generally advised against the experience given the hard walking surface involved.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-optimised viewing mode and free wheelchairs available on site, subject to availability
- The venue has accessible entrances, exits, restrooms and pathways throughout
- Lifts are available, so there’s no need to manage stairs
- Closed captions and audio descriptions are built into the experience
- Companion tickets are available free of charge for anyone who needs a support person or sighted guide
- Hearing loop (T-coil) compatibility available on request
If you have specific access needs, it’s worth contacting Fever ahead of your visit to talk through the best option for your situation.
Getting there
Location: Level 1, 206 Bourke Street, Melbourne (the same venue that hosted the Titanic and Machu Picchu VR experiences)
Public transport: The Swanston Street tram stop on Bourke Street is right outside, and Melbourne Central station is about 200 metres away.
Driving: There’s no free parking at the venue itself, but several paid parking stations are within easy walking distance.
Side trip
Make a day of it by pairing your VR adventure with lunch right on the doorstep.
Tim Ho Wan sits in the same 206 Bourke Street building, so you can step straight from the cosmos into a yum cha feast without going far. It’s good value, easy to access, and the tables have enough space between them that you’re not squeezed in next to strangers.
For something sweeter, Regretless is just across the road in the Midcity Centre at 200 Bourke Street. It’s a handy stop if you’re gluten-free, diabetic or simply fancy a low-carb treat after all that walking through space, though note there’s a small step up into the seating area.
Tickets and Practical Details
- Open since: Friday, 3 July 2026
- Duration: Around 1 hour total, including a 40-minute VR experience
- Age requirement: 10 years and over
- Group size: Up to 6 people per session, with new groups departing every few minutes
- Tickets: Adult tickets start from $34.50. Group bookings are available for parties of four or more.
Book Smithsonian Starstruck tickets
We’ll be updating this article with our own impressions and reader reviews soon, so check back if you’d like a firsthand account before booking.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
This post contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.
The Seniors in Melbourne team visited as guests of Fever Events. All opinions are the writer’s own,
