Client: Bland Shire is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Gold was discovered at Wyalong in September 1893 by Joseph Neeld. Bland Shire Council is a member of the Gold Trails that links 17 Local Government Areas and two National Parks and Wildlife Services sites located in the Lachlan Fold Belt, the main geographical region for gold discovery in NSW.  Evolution Mining is Bland Shire’s major employer. The mine is located 32 kilometres north of West Wyalong.

Challenge: How can we create an immersive experience that transports visitors back in time to witness the early days of the gold mining industry in the region, while also showcasing its historical significance and providing insights into its current state?

Goals

• Develop an immersive experience that effectively transports visitors back in time to the early days of the gold mining industry in the region
• Offer users a sense of connection between the past and present by showcasing the current state of the gold mine
• Enhance visitor engagement and satisfaction by delivering a memorable and educational experience that leaves a lasting impression

Solution: To address the challenge and achieve the objectives, an augmented reality (AR) experience was developed to showcase the rich history of the gold mining industry in the region. The central focus of this AR encounter was a 3D model featuring the poppet head. The target audience, including residents, visitors, and passersby, especially the grown-up and older generations, had to scan a QR code to activate a 3D animation of the poppet head, bringing it to life right in front of them and allowing them to observe it in action.

Accompanying the poppet head was a 3D representation of the individual who initiated the industry in the region, actively working in the shaft. Mobile users were given the chance to capture immersive gold mine-themed selfies for sharing on social media. Two distinct selfie experiences were offered. The first immersed mobile users in the old gold mining era, placing them underground with a hat and axe. The second provided an immersive exploration of the modern gold mining environment.

The 3D environments, hats/helmets, additional assets, and sound effects were meticulously crafted based on images and other sources provided by the client and through ongoing consultation with them. 

Outcome: The client expressed their satisfaction with the entire collaboration, indicating contentment from the initial stages of idea generation through to the completion of the final immersive AR experiences.