The Western Australian Museum is set to launch an extraordinary experience with the world premiere of The Great Kimberley Wilderness, a 35-minute virtual reality (VR) documentary that will take audiences on a breathtaking journey through one of the most pristine landscapes on Earth.

Narrated by Luke Hemsworth, The Great Kimberley Wilderness transports viewers to this spectacular and untouched region. Guided by scientists and Traditional Owners, the journey crosses stunning coastlines and ventures deep into this ancient land, offering an experience unlike any other.

Audiences can soar over the thundering King George Falls, explore the vibrant striped domes and majestic gorges of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, and travel back 350 million years to the Devonian Reef to uncover ancient geology that shaped life as we know it.

Almost two billion years in the making, this experience reveals the culture, wonders, and magic of the Kimberley in a way never seen before. The documentary will be showing from 23 November 2024 to 28 April 2025.

To capture the Kimberley the team spent years working with Traditional Owners, who granted them access to film in rarely seen, otherwise inaccessible locations. This unique film brings the Kimberley's beauty and cultural significance to a global audience like never before.

Viewers can experience the Dampier Peninsula with Bardi man Russell 'Wossy' Davey, who crafts art inspired by Dreamtime stories and draws on his deep knowledge of the region's unique tidal patterns to guide his fishing, reefing, and hunting practices.

Similarly, Kwini man, Ian Waina from Kalumburu shares the Dreaming story of the male and female Wunkurr (Rainbow Serpents), whose meeting at the base of King George Falls formed the culturally significant Rainbow River.

Founder and Creative Director of White Spark Pictures, Briege Whitehead, said the Kimberley is one of the world's last great wildernesses.

"The Kimberley is one of the most awe-inspiring, last great wilderness regions we have left in the world," She said.

"Through this immersive VR experience, audiences can explore its breathtaking landscapes, diverse natural wonders, and rich cultural history in a way never before possible.

"Through the power of VR storytelling, my hope is that audiences experience the unique spirit and profound connection of the Kimberley that will endure for generations to come."

As a pioneer in digital storytelling, the WA Museum will host The Great Kimberley Wilderness across four of its public sites: WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Museum of the Great Southern, the Museum of Geraldton, and the Museum of the Goldfields.

The Boola Bardip site offers a premium, shared experience in a 250-square-metre gallery, including a 60-seat Surround Sync™ VR cinema with 7.1 surround sound and large-scale projections.

Visitors to regional sites will enjoy a synchronised immersive experience, complete with noise-cancelling headphones and VR headsets, bringing the Kimberley to life.

WA Museum chief executive Alec Coles OBE shared his excitement for the project.

"Many people will never have the opportunity to visit the Kimberley, so this VR experience gives them a chance to explore one of the world's greatest natural and cultural treasures," he said.

"We are proud to work with White Spark Pictures to launch this extraordinary experience at four of our museums simultaneously, allowing audiences to 'visit' the remote areas of the Kimberley in unison – but without the need for a four-wheel drive vehicle!"

Supported by Screenwest and Lotterywest, along with the WA Museum, the National Museum of Australia, and other partners, The Great Kimberley Wilderness stands as a testament to Western Australian innovation and creativity.

The season will run at WA Museum sites from 23 November 2024 to 28 April 2025, with showings at the National Museum of Australia from December and Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum in April 2025.

This world-first VR experience brings the magic of the Kimberley to viewers across Australia and beyond, offering an unforgettable journey through one of the planet's last great wildernesses.