Life in the Great Barrier Reef: White Spark Pictures’ new theatrical VR experience to launch
White Spark Pictures has announced that its latest immersive 360° VR documentary, Life in the Great Barrier Reef, will launch at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra on 17 June 2026, before opening at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle from 27 June 2026.
Filmed across two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Great Barrier Reef and neighbouring Wet Tropics of Queensland rainforest, Life in the Great Barrier Reef takes audiences deep beneath the surface, exploring the beauty, fragility and future of one of the world’s most complex and important ecosystems.
Guided by scientists, reef stewards and Traditional Owners, audiences will encounter whales, manta rays, turtles, clownfish, vibrant coral, rare dolphin behaviour and major coral spawning events, all captured using custom built 8K 360-degree underwater camera systems developed by White Spark Pictures and its sister company, Surround Sync®.
The film explores the past, present and possible future of the reef, helping audiences better understand coral bleaching, the impacts of extreme weather events and the combined pressures facing the ecosystem, while also highlighting the collective efforts underway to protect and restore the reef for future generations.
Briege Whitehead, founder and creative director at White Spark Pictures :
It has been a privilege to film across the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, capturing moments and environments that very few people will ever have the chance to experience firsthand. We hope audiences leave not only in awe of the beauty and scale of this natural wonder, but with a deeper understanding of, and connection to, one of the most important ecosystems on Earth.
National Museum director Katherine McMahon :
From those whose lives and livelihoods depend on the richness of this unique ecosystem, to those who study its splendour, monitor its changes, or enjoy its beauty, the Great Barrier Reef is a beloved and irreplaceable icon.
The Museum is dedicated to telling the reef’s story through our collections and galleries, and now we proudly bring Life in the Great Barrier Reef to Canberra, as the first venue to show this brand-new VR experience.
Jason Fair, Acting CEO, Western Australian Museum:
Our ongoing collaboration with White Spark Pictures reflects the strength and value of long-term partnerships within Western Australia’s creative sector. We are proud to support local storytellers who are pushing the boundaries of immersive media.
These partnerships not only enrich our cultural offering but also support the growth of Western Australia’s creative industries on a national and international stage.
Life in the Great Barrier Reef is the second VR documentary from the content partnership between White Spark Pictures, the National Museum of Australia, the Western Australian Museum and Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The partnership’s first film, The Great Kimberley Wilderness, has enjoyed multiple sell out seasons since launching in 2024 and now ranks within the top ten highest grossing Australian documentaries of all time when compared against official theatrical box office figures. White Spark Picture’s earlier film, The Antarctica Experience, was its first to make the top ten on this basis.
Season Details
Venue: National Museum of Australia
Date: 17-30 June Daily (Except Fridays)
For more information click HERE
