Transforming Regional Tourism in Australia

Narrandera wanted to give visitors a reason to explore beyond the obvious attractions and see the town from a new perspective. The goal was to design a digital experience that could guide people through the area while also delivering moments of wonder. It needed to function as both a classic wayfinding tool and a rich, immersive storytelling platform, suitable for use both on-site and from home.

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Imvizar created a location-based AR experience featuring two key stories and more than 20 points of interest across the town.

At the Murrumbidgee River, visitors can see a 3D recreation and old archival photos of the historic Wagga Wagga steamboat gliding along the water. The experience brings to life the town’s early river transport heritage, complete with sound and motion to capture the feel of the era.

In the Koala Reserve, visitors meet a virtual koala and learn about its habits; how much it sleeps, what it eats, and how conservationists track them in the wild. The design encourages curiosity and connection with the environment, making learning both interactive and memorable.

Alongside the AR stories, the experience also includes 40 mapped points of interest featuring local landmarks, stories, and archival photographs, allowing users to explore Narrandera’s history at their own pace. The app works both on-site and remotely, offering flexible access for all audiences.

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Since launching in the Australian summer season, Narrandera Immersive has received enthusiastic feedback from visitors and locals alike. The project is part of Narrandera Shire Council's initiative to strengthen the town’s appeal as a cultural destination, attracting families, tourists, and schools seeking a new way to experience regional heritage.

By merging storytelling with navigation, the experience shows how augmented reality can connect people to place by deepening appreciation while driving sustainable tourism.

The Narrandera Immersive project highlights a growing trend in regional tourism: the shift from static interpretation to experiential storytelling. Visitors no longer just want information; they want to participate in stories that connect them to place and community.

This project also demonstrated how AR can extend the visitor experience beyond the physical site, with the koala encounter accessible anywhere in the world. This hybrid model supports inclusivity, accessibility, and continuous engagement long after the visit ends.

From a production perspective, the collaboration with the local council ensured authenticity and accuracy, while lightweight mobile deployment kept the experience accessible to all visitors. Together, these factors show how digital innovation can help smaller towns attract new audiences and preserve their unique heritage for the future.

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