An entertainment centre with a virtual wildlife experience is set to open within a town business district in time for school holidays.
Hologram Zoo – Sunshine Coast will be launched at 81-87 Currie Street in Nambour.
The attraction is expected to suit young and old.
Co-owner Claire Fawbert explained what a hologram zoo is.
“3D animals come to life as you wander through tunnels, walk through enclosures and under a spectacular sky roof,” she said.
“The animals are hologram projections that feel so real you can almost reach out and touch them. It’s imaginative, affordable fun for the whole family.
For more local news videos SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel. Just click here.
“We are currently installing the tunnels and enclosures. We plan to be open this April school holidays and are taking pre-bookings.”
The centre will open with three adventures showcasing animals from Australia and Asia and a dinosaurs experience.
“There will be a lot of laughing and plenty of excited screams as the kids see the different animals,” Ms Fawbert said.
“In each adventure, visitors will dodge animals, watch them in their natural habitat and experience what it would be like to be there.
“It’s about showing people things they have never seen before.
“At the end of the show, each visitor will receive a free cardboard hologram of the animal of their choice to take home and remember the day.”
The content comes from Queensland-based Axiom Holographics, which is “one of the world’s most advanced hologram developers”.
Several hologram zoos – recognised among the best inventions of 2023 by Time magazine – have launched in Australia and abroad within the past couple of years.
Ms Fawbert detailed why she and her husband Ash Ebrahim decided to open one.
“As a local family with young kids we were always looking for educational entertainment opportunities to do as a family,” she said.
“There are plenty of young families and older people looking for something different.
“As we both have a technology background, we were excited by the opportunities to explore content through the medium of 3D and holograms.”
They are leasing the 400sqm-plus site and will operate the business with the help of local staff.
She said the zoo was well positioned.
“We chose Nambour after looking at several locations across the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“We love the community and felt like there was an opportunity to bring something new to the local families.
“It’s perfectly located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Nambour has a history rich in culture and has great public transport options ensuring the centre is accessible to everyone.
“The local business community has been wonderfully welcoming and we hope that we can add to the revival of this special place.”
She said the experience would be for all ages and it would be affordable.
“It’s really an adventure for the whole family – loved by kids and grandparents alike,” she said.
“Other centres have found it popular with young families, school groups and pensioners.
“We have made it a super-simple one price for everyone over four years of age: $27.50 for the main content.
“The popular dinosaur adventure is available as an upgrade only when you book one of the main adventures showing. This upgrade is at a discounted rate of $17.50.
“We also offer free entry for companion card holders.”
Hologram Zoo – Sunshine Coast is also expected to offer seasonal content, including Halloween, Christmas and the Planets, during the year.
