Augmented Reality Trail
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Accessibility friendly
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Based on real world research
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Open air science museum
Augmented Reality Trail
-
Accessibility friendly
-
Based on real world research
-
Open air science museum
CASE STUDY: Explore Water
Curiosity on Tap
Commissioned by SA Water, Explore Water turns Adelaide’s Happy Valley Reservoir into part science lesson and part outdoor adventure. Guided by a 3D map, visitors set out on foot to find hidden selfie-style signs along the trails. When they scan a sign with their phone, augmented reality content locks perfectly in place over the real-world background as if it is part of the landscape.
Sensors in the water feed live environmental data into the app, which visitors can view as statistics on the 3D map. At each stop, they unlock a mix of mini-games, wildlife encounters, and fascinating facts such as how frogs indicate ecosystem health and the steps that make drinking water safe. The experience blends fun and discovery so seamlessly that people often forget they are learning.
The Challenge
In 2020–21, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that only 12% of Australians felt confident they understood how their water is treated and supplied. That’s a big knowledge gap for something so essential to life. So how do we close it in a way that gets people interested in where their water comes from?
Project Outcomes
Stronger Environmental Connection
Visitors leave the reservoir with a deeper understanding of the local environment and the systems that sustain it. Many capture photos with the AR signs and share them on social media, extending the experience beyond the site itself.
High Return Visitor Rate
43% of sessions came from returning players which is well above the industry average for location-based games. This shows the experience resonated beyond a single visit, with people often returning alongside family and friends.
Stronger Environmental Connection
Visitors leave the reservoir with a deeper understanding of the local environment and the systems that sustain it. Many capture photos with the AR signs and share them on social media, extending the experience beyond the site itself.
High Return Visitor Rate
43% of sessions came from returning players which is well above the industry average for location-based games. This shows the experience resonated beyond a single visit, with people often returning alongside family and friends.
Resources & Associated Papers
SA Water. (n.d.). Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve. SA Water. https://www.sawater.com.au/reservoir-reserves/reservoir-reserves/happy-valley