Geelong Botanical Gardens to glow in immersive

THE Geelong Botanical Gardens will transform after dark this winter, with a new immersive light exhibit set to bring colour, storytelling and a boost of tourism to the city.

Eclipse: In Bloom is an immersive experience, featuring delicate glows to large-scale installations, telling the story of a garden coming to life after sunset.

Created by entertainment technology agency Laservision, every installation is unique to the landscape and the story of the site.

“We always base our shows on the location – we customise everything to the site, and there’s always a story behind it,” Laservision marketing manager Sarah Yusuf said.

“That’s what sets us apart from traditional light shows; we tell a story and we connect with the nature of the place.”

 

For Geelong, the story draws on native Australian flowers and the blue-banded bee, a tiny pollinator that symbolises growth and revitalising.

The production has taken months of planning behind the scenes, with a large team involved in creative development, programming and on-site installation.

“These shows take months and months behind the scenes,” Yusuf said.

“There’s quite a big team – from creative concept through to onsite programming to make sure everything runs perfectly.”

Yusuf said the team works carefully to protect the gardens, with strict restrictions in place to ensure the installations do not damage the flora or broader ecosystem.

 

The appeal, she said, lies in the transformation of a familiar space into something entirely new.

“People know the botanical gardens by day, but they wouldn’t imagine it being transformed at night,” Yusuf said.

“With thousands of lights, custom-made installations and interactive elements, the show is designed to immerse visitors of all ages.

“As soon as you step through, you enter a whole new world.”

Laservision art director Angela Davis said the experience is an immersive opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy.

 

“With In Bloom, we wanted to capture that magical moment when nature awakens,” she said.

“The forest becomes a living canvas where light, colour and sound transform the landscape into something truly enchanting.”

This is the first time Eclipse: In Bloom has been staged in Geelong, after successful runs elsewhere around Australia.

The event has already generated a strong response, with families, children and older visitors all expected to be drawn to the experience

Laservision is also hoping the exhibit will support local tourism and the economy, with Yusuf praising the support of the City of Greater Geelong.