'Spacewalker' attraction Gold Coast

[Photon]

I read about the 'Spacewalker' attraction on the Gold Coast in the May AS&T, page 84. Has any one visited it? If so can you give me some feedback?
I will be in Brisbane for a short trip and wondered if it was worth a visit.
Regards Ian Gillespie

[Volans]

G'day Ian,

I visited Spacewalker during Feburary this year. Basically, this is what happens:

You pay your money (remember, this is the Gold Coast we are talking about!) and you get into a very suprising lift which whisks you off to a "space station". You are then greeted and are ushered into one of three small theatres where you watch an interesting short documentary. You are then led out via a walk way to the true Spacewalk. This is a long winding walkway that takes you through the Solar System and then beyond to places like the Pillars of Creation, white dwarf stars, supernovae and then to galaxies. This is done VERY WELL indeed!! All the planets are modeled on a fairly large scale and the Moon model is superb. I wont tell you too much as I don't want to spoil things for you.

After you leave the Spacewalk you have a choice of two ways back to the foyer of the "space station". Each choice will offer you a different sensory perception. Once back at the foyer you can then go into another theatre and view a different doco. and then you do the spacewalk again. Remeber to use the other way back to the "space station".

For those of you who know Gregg Thompson, he is the man behind Spacewalker and Infinity. Gregg is an acomplished amateur astronomer who has written a book about the southern skies and also developed supernova search charts. In other words, the factual content of Spacewalker is spot on and it is a cut above your average touristy gimick on the Gold Coast.

A pleasant way to spend some time on the GC.

Peter.

[Photon]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your reply, I have had a peek at their website and it makes a bit more sense coupled with your explanation. I was not sure whether it was a kids attraction or more up market. Anything to do with Astronomy is great anyway. I'll definately look at arranging a trip, it beats walking around Brisbane looking at more shops (unless they are telescope shops).
Do you have any telescope shops in brisbane CBD?
Kind regards IanG

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi York Optical is in the city (Fortitude Valley).
Sirius Optics is in a suburb called Underwood 30 mins out of Bris city.
Star optics are at mermaid beach on the Gold Coast - they usually have a few scopes in the foyer of the Spacewalker.
Check them out via google.
I often check Sirius Optics website as they have a used equipment page.
http://www.sirius-optics.com.au/Used.htm
check out the Widescan III 13mm...
Cheers
Doug

dont let the SA address fool ya, used to live in Brisvegas

[Photon]

Thanks Doug, At least one of them should get a visit!
Regards IanG

[alan meehan (Alan)]

hi peter
iam going up to brisbane in august &to the gold coast i wanted to take my grandaugther to spacewalker she is 6 do you think it is ok for kids or would it be to much to take in

[Greg Bryant]

Alan,

When I visited in February, I took my two children (younger than your grandaughter). They loved the walk-through of the Solar System and Deep Sky section. You should be OK with the video presentations - particularly if she is interested in space. It is quite visually attractive and the concepts aren't that advanced.

Regards,

[alan meehan (Alan)]

thanks greg
i;m really looking forward to going,wewill have a ball,now just got to talk the misses,to go somewhere that looks like astronomy.