Inspiring NSW is pleased to offer this directory of science VR, AR, XR, and 360 media resources from across NSW, Australia, and the globe, ideal for public engagement programs.
Each year, we receive inquiries from community groups regarding the accessibility of free, Australian-produced STEM VR resources. Recognising the absence of a centralised listing, we have compiled the list below. The list will be updated as we find out about new resources, and we welcome feedback from the STEM community.
With these resources you can:
delve into the cosmos, unravel intricate chemical structures, explore sites of Indigenous knowledge, and explore the inner workings of plant cells;
venture outside for virtual tours of research stations and heritage-listed environmental sites; or
head indoors to experience museum exhibitions and university lab and research facilities.
How to use the directory
Each entry has subject areas and media formats listed. Ctrl + F (Command + F on Mac) to search the page and find your area or format of interest Find out more about the learning resources available for each under Learn more.
Want to add your own resource to this listing? Contact inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au and let us know about your project.
RESOURCES FROM NSW INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES
ANSTO XR ANSTO
The free ANSTO XR app blends AR and VR to explore the atomic scale, showcasing protons, neutrons, and electrons. Experience synchrotron light’s x-ray vision from super accelerated electrons. Witness the ANSTO periodic table poster in action with Augmented Reality. Explore the world of atoms in immersive detail.
Virtual Plant Cell ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Energy Biology
The Virtual Plant Cell is a unique suite of immersive educational virtual reality and 360° video experiences. Explore, interact with and learn about the submicroscopic inner world of a plant and discover how global agricultural challenges can be tackled through science innovation.
Peppy is a VR simulation for exploring the molecular forces which drive protein secondary structure. Peppy allows users to build, visualise and manipulate polypeptides to learn more about how these structures function.
Subject areas: Life sciences, virtual tours
Format: VR app for Oculus/Meta Quest and Oculus Rift
A virtual heritage software based upon the traditional knowledge and teaching of Australia’s First Nations people. This interactive and immersive ‘digital twin’ shows significant sites of the original custodians where capital cities and regional towns now exist to transport users to historical sites in a virtual heritage dreamtime.
Tocal Virtual Farm NSW Department of Primary Industries
Tocal Virtual Farm is an interactive tour of the Tocal Agricultural Centre in the NSW DPI. Explore the geography, industry and other aspects of this property with extensive resources designed for use in primary and high schools but relevant to all people interested in agriculture.
Virtual Endeavour Australian National Maritime Museum
Experience a free, curriculum-led virtual tour of the HMB Endeavour, guided by a virtual host through 360 images and video. Delve into the historical context of James Cook’s scientific voyage, focusing on STEM topics. Explore how science has evolved since Cook’s time and its enduring impact on modern knowledge.
SciVR ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery
The Science in VR (SciVR) experience brings our incredible Universe to you using virtual reality. With an app on your smartphone, you’ll delve into a whole new world of space science and astronomy.
Walking with scientists VR 360 Victorian Department for Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Walking with Scientists showcases the work of field scientists across Victoria, with remote places and rare species. Fieldwork is a critical part of how scientists learn about our environment, with the science used to inform policy and land management.
GLEAMoscope International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
GLEAMoscope lets you use VR to explore our Galaxy (the Milky Way) and the distant Universe in a range of wavelengths, using data from the GLEAM all-sky survey by the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia.
A range of resources to learn about the work of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, including AR, VR and virtual tours. Created by ICRAR, CSIRO and the Australian SKA Office, the virtual tour of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia includes information and 360 degree views of all the key locations on site.
Forest VR is a series of high-quality videos that immerse the viewer in virtual reality forest and mill experiences, 360-degree virtual tours and 360-degree photo environments. It also helps students to explore the timber processing journey and end uses of these renewable forest products in buildings, flooring and everyday items.
An immersive VR experience that documents the geoscientific significance of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia as well as the First Nations experience and history. This experience was developed in support of its nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Project LIVE is a cross-disciplinary initiative at the University of South Australia, creating virtual and augmented reality experiences to tell stories about research. It includes the 360 Flinders Rangers above, a mineral drill site, and a journey through the glacial landscapes of a local coastal site.
HHMI Biome Viewer Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
The HHMI Biome Viewer is an immersive, interactive module that explores biomes, climate, biodiversity and human impacts at different times in history across the globe.
Access Mars Google and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
Access Mars allows the user to explore the Martian surface, using data and pictures recorded by Curiosity Rover. Scientists at NASA JPL have created a 3D model to allow scientists to study Mars and plan future experiments, which you can explore in a browser or WebVR.
Embark on a virtual journey to the Great Barrier Reef from anywhere with a 360-degree video, highlighting conservation efforts. The Reef is a world-heritage site, that is important for tourism, jobs and the economy. Dive into the video to witness its beauty and Australia’s conservation actions to preserve this important resource.
Macquarie Island Virtual Tour Australian Antarctic Program
Explore the highlights of Maquarie Island’s natural beauty and history, as well as the scientific facilitates and living and working areas of the station, as well as spectacular panoramic views of the scenery.
Natural History Museum virtual tour University of New England
The UNE Natural History Museum displays specimens from the world around us – and around the globe. Explore the Museum’s collections, with a 360 virtual tour.
The Museum of Stone Tools hosts a diverse collection of high-quality open-access 3D models of stone artiefacts from all over the world curated by Professor Mark Moore from the University of New England.
This interactive follows the human autopsy process from start to finish including an external examination, opening the body, viewing internal organs, removing the organs and weighing them, removing the brain, replacing all organs and closing the body.
Virtual Macquarie Island 2.0 Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Learn about how scientists and others live and do their research on Macquarie Island, by exploring a range of buildings and building areas in a series of 360 videos.
A 360 tour of the Quantum Control Lab at the University of Sydney. The Quantum Control Laboratory is currently the highest-performance quantum computer in the southern hemisphere and has demonstrated world-leading performance in quantum-logic error rates and coherent lifetimes.
A 360 tour of the Diamond Nanoscience Lab at Macquarie University which engineers next-generation diamond nanotechnologies for applications in quantum information, ultrahigh-resolution sensing and biomedical applications
Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Lab Tour University of Western Australia
A 360 tour of the Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Lab which offers research excellence in precision measurement and sensing, low temperature physics, hybrid quantum systems and laboratory tests of fundamental physics.
Superconducting Quantum Devices Lab Tour The University of Queensland
A 360 tour of the Superconducting Quantum Devices Lab at the University of Queensland. SQD lab undertakes research in superconducting quantum circuits.
Inspiring NSW is pleased to offer this directory of science VR, AR, XR, and 360 media resources from across NSW, Australia, and the globe, ideal for public engagement programs.
Each year, we receive inquiries from community groups regarding the accessibility of free, Australian-produced STEM VR resources. Recognising the absence of a centralised listing, we have compiled the list below. The list will be updated as we find out about new resources, and we welcome feedback from the STEM community.
With these resources you can:
How to use the directory
Each entry has subject areas and media formats listed.
Ctrl + F (Command + F on Mac) to search the page and find your area or format of interest
Find out more about the learning resources available for each under Learn more.
Want to add your own resource to this listing? Contact inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au and let us know about your project.
RESOURCES FROM NSW INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES
ANSTO XR
ANSTO
The free ANSTO XR app blends AR and VR to explore the atomic scale, showcasing protons, neutrons, and electrons. Experience synchrotron light’s x-ray vision from super accelerated electrons. Witness the ANSTO periodic table poster in action with Augmented Reality. Explore the world of atoms in immersive detail.
Subject areas: Physical sciences, virtual tours
Format: AR & VR on Android or iOS phone
Virtual Plant Cell
ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Energy Biology
The Virtual Plant Cell is a unique suite of immersive educational virtual reality and 360° video experiences. Explore, interact with and learn about the submicroscopic inner world of a plant and discover how global agricultural challenges can be tackled through science innovation.
Subject areas: Life sciences, virtual tours
Format: 360 video on YouTube
Peppy VR
University of Sydney
Peppy is a VR simulation for exploring the molecular forces which drive protein secondary structure. Peppy allows users to build, visualise and manipulate polypeptides to learn more about how these structures function.
Subject areas: Life sciences, virtual tours
Format: VR app for Oculus/Meta Quest and Oculus Rift
Virtual Songlines
Bilbie XR Labs
A virtual heritage software based upon the traditional knowledge and teaching of Australia’s First Nations people. This interactive and immersive ‘digital twin’ shows significant sites of the original custodians where capital cities and regional towns now exist to transport users to historical sites in a virtual heritage dreamtime.
Subject areas: Indigenous science
Format: VR virtual map
Tocal Virtual Farm
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Tocal Virtual Farm is an interactive tour of the Tocal Agricultural Centre in the NSW DPI. Explore the geography, industry and other aspects of this property with extensive resources designed for use in primary and high schools but relevant to all people interested in agriculture.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: Website and 360 video on YouTube
Virtual Endeavour
Australian National Maritime Museum
Experience a free, curriculum-led virtual tour of the HMB Endeavour, guided by a virtual host through 360 images and video. Delve into the historical context of James Cook’s scientific voyage, focusing on STEM topics. Explore how science has evolved since Cook’s time and its enduring impact on modern knowledge.
Subject areas: Life sciences, history
Format: Virtual Tour 360 video
FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA
SciVR
ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery
The Science in VR (SciVR) experience brings our incredible Universe to you using virtual reality. With an app on your smartphone, you’ll delve into a whole new world of space science and astronomy.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: VR for Mobile App
Walking with scientists VR 360
Victorian Department for Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Walking with Scientists showcases the work of field scientists across Victoria, with remote places and rare species. Fieldwork is a critical part of how scientists learn about our environment, with the science used to inform policy and land management.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: YouTube 360 video
GLEAMoscope
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
GLEAMoscope lets you use VR to explore our Galaxy (the Milky Way) and the distant Universe in a range of wavelengths, using data from the GLEAM all-sky survey by the Murchison Widefield Array telescope in Western Australia.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: VR and Mobile app
SKA Observatory Resources
A range of resources to learn about the work of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, including AR, VR and virtual tours. Created by ICRAR, CSIRO and the Australian SKA Office, the virtual tour of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia includes information and 360 degree views of all the key locations on site.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: VR, AR and 360 video
ForestVR
Forest Learning
Forest VR is a series of high-quality videos that immerse the viewer in virtual reality forest and mill experiences, 360-degree virtual tours and 360-degree photo environments. It also helps students to explore the timber processing journey and end uses of these renewable forest products in buildings, flooring and everyday items.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
360 Flinders Ranges
University of South Australia
An immersive VR experience that documents the geoscientific significance of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia as well as the First Nations experience and history. This experience was developed in support of its nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
Project Live
University of South Australia
Project LIVE is a cross-disciplinary initiative at the University of South Australia, creating virtual and augmented reality experiences to tell stories about research. It includes the 360 Flinders Rangers above, a mineral drill site, and a journey through the glacial landscapes of a local coastal site.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
HHMI Biome Viewer
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
The HHMI Biome Viewer is an immersive, interactive module that explores biomes, climate, biodiversity and human impacts at different times in history across the globe.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
Access Mars
Google and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
Access Mars allows the user to explore the Martian surface, using data and pictures recorded by Curiosity Rover. Scientists at NASA JPL have created a 3D model to allow scientists to study Mars and plan future experiments, which you can explore in a browser or WebVR.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: WebVR
VIRTUAL TOURS
RV Investigator Virtual Tour
CSIRO
Explore Australia’s dedicated ocean research vessel, RV Investigator, from top to bottom, inside and out via this virtual tour.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
Great Barrier Reef 360
DCCEEW
Embark on a virtual journey to the Great Barrier Reef from anywhere with a 360-degree video, highlighting conservation efforts. The Reef is a world-heritage site, that is important for tourism, jobs and the economy. Dive into the video to witness its beauty and Australia’s conservation actions to preserve this important resource.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: 360 virtual tour
Macquarie Island Virtual Tour
Australian Antarctic Program
Explore the highlights of Maquarie Island’s natural beauty and history, as well as the scientific facilitates and living and working areas of the station, as well as spectacular panoramic views of the scenery.
Subject areas: Life sciences, history
Format: VR and 360 tours
Natural History Museum virtual tour
University of New England
The UNE Natural History Museum displays specimens from the world around us – and around the globe. Explore the Museum’s collections, with a 360 virtual tour.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
Museum of Stone Tools
University of New England
The Museum of Stone Tools hosts a diverse collection of high-quality open-access 3D models of stone artiefacts from all over the world curated by Professor Mark Moore from the University of New England.
Subject areas: Material sciences
Format: VR and 360 tours
Virtual Autopsy
Australian Museum
This interactive follows the human autopsy process from start to finish including an external examination, opening the body, viewing internal organs, removing the organs and weighing them, removing the brain, replacing all organs and closing the body.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: 3D experience on website
FACILITY TOURS
Virtual Macquarie Island 2.0
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Learn about how scientists and others live and do their research on Macquarie Island, by exploring a range of buildings and building areas in a series of 360 videos.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: 360 Videos on YouTube
Quantum Control Lab Tour
The University of Sydney
A 360 tour of the Quantum Control Lab at the University of Sydney. The Quantum Control Laboratory is currently the highest-performance quantum computer in the southern hemisphere and has demonstrated world-leading performance in quantum-logic error rates and coherent lifetimes.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: 360 tour on website
Diamond Nanoscience Lab Tour
Macquarie University
A 360 tour of the Diamond Nanoscience Lab at Macquarie University which engineers next-generation diamond nanotechnologies for applications in quantum information, ultrahigh-resolution sensing and biomedical applications
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: 360 tour on website
Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Lab Tour
University of Western Australia
A 360 tour of the Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Lab which offers research excellence in precision measurement and sensing, low temperature physics, hybrid quantum systems and laboratory tests of fundamental physics.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: 360 tour on website
Superconducting Quantum Devices Lab Tour
The University of Queensland
A 360 tour of the Superconducting Quantum Devices Lab at the University of Queensland. SQD lab undertakes research in superconducting quantum circuits.
Subject areas: Physical sciences
Format: 360 tour on website
Robotic Dairy
The University of Sydney
A 360 tour of the Robotic Dairy at The University of Sydney Camden Campus
Subject areas: Life sciences, Engineering
Format: 360 Tour on YouTube
Plant Breeding Institute
The University of Sydney
A 360 tour of the Plant Breeding Institute at The University of Sydney Camden Campus.
Subject areas: Life sciences
Format: 360 Tour on YouTube
Want to add your own resource to this directory? Contact inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au and let us know about your project.
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