Explore Water
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?
Solution
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.
Positive Impact
Visitors leave the reservoir with a stronger connection to the local environment and the systems that sustain it. Many take photos with the AR signs and share them on social media.
SA Water benefits from a sustainable, reusable attraction that encourages repeat visits and spreads awareness well beyond the site. In fact, 43% of sessions came from returning players, which is well above the industry average for location-based games. It shows that people did not just enjoy the experience once, they came back, often bringing family and friends. The most popular game was the Water Treatment challenge, where players combined particles to clean the water, with a 46% completion rate, well above the 20- 30% industry average. This shows that players not only enjoyed the mechanic but also stayed engaged long enough to absorb the learning behind it.
Overview
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?
Video Trailer
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.
