To the Moon Access Information

Before we begin...

For your adventure to the Moon, we recommend familiarising yourself with (the) space before liftoff. Please see a Visual Story and Sensory Map for your exploration.

To the Moon Sensory Map - PDF [5.7 MB]

To the Moon Visual Story - PDF [8.9 MB]

A sky-high view — experience a fly-through of the entire experience, from Museum entry to exhibition exit.

Avoid the queues

To minimise the time you spend in a queue, we suggest you buy tickets online before you visit.

Visual Supports

Before your visit, print out the visual supports and checklist to help you develop a visual plan of your time at the Museum. This can help to structure a big day out, making it more enjoyable for everyone.

Visit Checklist – PDF [117.54 KB]

Visual Supports – Galleries – PDF [248.92 KB]

Visual Supports – Symbols – PDF [571.25 KB]

Ready for blast off?

Here is what you need to know from various disability perspectives, particularly focusing on cognitive, physical and sensory, to have the best experience possible.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Neurodiversity

The exhibit is intellectually, visually, and emotionally stimulating. Please note that audio elements can be overwhelming due to background noise and minimal noise-cancelling options. To navigate this experience, we recommend grabbing a Sensory Backpack from our welcome desk and utilising the ear-defenders to tune out unwanted sounds.

In this exhibition, there is a lack of quiet spaces. Should you wish to experience the space in a more controlled sensory environment, there are Quiet Mornings and Evening sessions available.

Areas of note

The visual design of the major lit walkway is a highlight, with slow morphing effects that do not trigger vertigo. Loud noises (rocket and transmission sounds) can be overwhelming throughout the exhibition.

The interactive areas have very creative elements such as the poem creator, moon walk, and revolving Earth displays that can be enjoyed by all. However, the red lighting of the Lunar Lounge section can be overly stimulating. Interaction with some displays can be limited due to sensory overload.

Key takeaways: Interactive, interesting, lighting can be over stimulating, minimal quiet spaces, bring ear defenders to navigate audio experiences.

A hallway illuminated by coloured lights with reflective graphics leading to a large moon display. — **Image description:** *Illuminated Exhibition Hallway* - This hallway features flashing lights and reflective graphics, creating a dynamic, moving launch feeling as visitors approach a large moon display.

: Several individuals standing in a room illuminated by red light. — **Image description:** *Lunar Lounge exhibit* - Visitors experience the red-light ambiance inside the exhibition. During the day, people can sit down and enjoy a virtual reality experience in this area. At night, it transforms into a space for private functions.

Sensory Barriers (Blind/Low Vision and Auditory)

Blind and Low Vision Disability

There is a significant amount of visually based content in the exhibition. Videos can be difficult to see, and no alternative texts are provided for some videos.

Dim lighting and some exhibition design elements reduce readability in the space. To navigate this experience, we recommend booking in for a Guided Tour to make the most of all the details within the experience.

Auditory Disability

The exhibition has many atmospheric noises consistently throughout the experience. The background noise can interfere with the clarity of some of the video and other audio content. Minimal subtitles are available to support this across video content. We recommend exploring Quiet Session availabilities and the Guided Tour to explore the details within the experience further, at your own pace.

A person with short blonde hair wearing headphones gazes at the moon in the exhibition space. — **Image description:** *Sensory Backpack* includes a number of resources for self-regulation, tactile input, attention focusing and body awareness support.

Physical Barriers (Mobility and Dexterity)

There are a variety of seating options throughout the experience. The seats by the multiscreen area are a good height and are firm enough to sit and stand from. Seating options in other areas, such as in our ‘The Eagle has Landed’ Lounge have hard-to-use chairs with no alternatives, due to being a replica of a 1960s lounge area.

A person sitting on a couch in dim lighting, watching multiple videos on digital screens in front of them. — **Image description:** *Memento Moon Digital Screen Exhibit -* featuring a multiscreen mashup by artist Field Carr that pays homage to the moon as a muse in cinema and television.

Retro lounge setup with armchairs, record player, TV, and various styling accents, with someone reading a newspaper on a couch. — **Image description:** *"In Event of Moon Disaster" exhibit -* A 1960s lounge setup depicting Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon, showcasing a thought-provoking documentary that uses cutting-edge AI to explore an alternative history of the 1969 moon landing.

Tranquil space inside the exhibition with a wall and bench with a blue galaxy decal behind it, positions near the large moon installation. — **Image description:** Seating booths in the exhibition area, creating a serene ambiance with a blue galaxy decal prominently displayed in front of a 7-meter moon installation.

Interactive Displays

The interactive displays throughout the exhibition have varied engagement methods, but some have inaccessible handles and lack alternative interaction methods.

Close-up of a digital screen with selectable text fragments over a moon background in a fridge magnet poetry ; a finger points at "erased." — **Image description:** *"Ode to the Moon" interactive exhibit* - A person is seen pointing at a digital screen that allows users to create custom poetry by dragging and dropping words. This interactive experience mirrors the digital collage writing technique famously used by David Bowie in crafting Space Oddity.

Children and adults using interactive screens in a blue-themed room with a space animation display in the background. — **Image description:** *Astronaut Colouring-in Digital Screen Interactive Hub -* an indoor setting of a dark blue room. On the left side, several people sit at a table with touchscreens, looking at the devices intently. In the background, a large screen displays colourful animations of astronauts and space scenes featuring the moon and Earth. To the right, a person stands at another interactive screen mounted on the wall. Above this interactive screen on the right wall is text written in glowing blue letters.

VR Experience

There are multiple programs to choose from within this experience, however, the complex controllers can be unsuitable for fine motor skills. Should this prove to be tricky to navigate our team is always available and on standby in the experience to guide you through it.

There is a separate quiet zone outside of the exhibition, with regulated lighting and less stimulating visuals so the VR Experience can be enjoyed in a more relaxed environment.

A young child experiencing virtual reality through a headset, holding controllers in a red lit room. — **Image description:** *Lunar Lounge exhibit* - Inspired by the sci fi classic 2001 A Space Odyssey, this pop-up events space, will host lunar-inspired programs, a virtual reality experience and private functions.

We hope you enjoy the adventure

To the Moon exhibition offers a compelling and enjoyable experience, with a balance between whimsy and scientific. It can be quite an emotional experience. However, there are still some areas to be mindful of, should you have any access requirements.

For further information, please contact reception@museum.wa.gov.au or call 1300 134 081.

The WA Museum has collaborated with the Centre for Accessibility Australia to develop the access information available.