Scitech will inspire audiences when they deliver a selection of their awesomely educational STEM-based shows and activities for kids at the Mandu Mandu centre. Scitech’s events include:
Start Here, Go Anywhere
A hands-on experience that allows visitors to explore, investigate and discover the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Packed with interactive exhibits, brain-bending challenges and awesome tech, it’s guaranteed to ignite curiosity in kids and adults alike. Open from 9am – 4pm daily. Free! Just drop on by!
Science shows
These free shows are 30 minutes each and there’s no need to book.
Under Pressure (10am and 2pm daily)
Explore just how much pressure we’re really under as we use nothing but the ocean of air around us – and a little bit of science – to turn your world inside out and upside down. Although we can’t see it, air pressure is responsible for loads of everyday phenomena – everything from how to open jars, to how our lungs work, to what happens to humans when they go into space. Join our Science Presenters to investigate, ask questions, make predictions, and test our ideas to understand some of the more surprising and unusual effects it has on the world around us
Hot vs Cold (11am and 3pm daily – please note there will be no 11am show on the day of the eclipse, Thursday 20th of April)
Two temperatures enter, one temperature leaves – and the results are sure to surprise! Our science presenters explore how the hidden properties of materials affect how heat forms, flows and feels with this astonishing demonstration of thermodynamics. Audiences will make predictions and test ideas in this ultimate showdown between hot and cold.
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
What’s up in the night sky? The spectacular stars in the Milky Way Galaxy are waiting for you to see in these incredible stargazing sessions on our telescope fields.
Explore the night sky with Astrotourism WA Astronomy Guides and volunteers. See an amazing green laser pointer tour of the southern hemisphere night sky constellations. Everything you need will be supplied for you to view the incredible stellar objects, including Venus, the Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, star clusters, nebulae and much more.
This is a rare opportunity for this kind of stargazing in the glow of a solar eclipse – so don’t miss out! Bookings are not necessary. Sessions run from 6.45 pm to 9.15pm with the Green Laser Pointer Tours repeated at 7 pm, 7.45 pm and 8.30 pm nightly.
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
Emeritus Professor David Blair, Australian physicist and professor at the University of Western Australia and Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre, will host a fun and exciting talk about the Wallal Experiment and Einsteinian Physics.
The Wallal Experiment was a momentous event that proved Einstein’s theory of relativity – right here in WA! A family-friendly show, these talks delight everyone from primary school kids to grandparents, science enthusiasts to those starting out on their scientific understanding. Everyone is encouraged to bring friends – and questions!
Einsteinian Physics is an exhibition and a series of engaging, mind-bending, and intriguing STEM activities for children and families. See first-hand the Einstein First Team do live eclipse simulations and show you earth-moon orbital dynamics on the spacetime simulator!
No need to book – just come along!
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
Where SOUL meets the SOLAR ECLIPSE!
Join us for a FREE three-day festival of music, food and astronomy so good it’ll take you to another Celestial Sphere. Held on Talanjee Oval, Exmouth from Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st April, Solfest has something inspiring and fun for every member of the family.
Enjoy incredible live performances that change nightly! No two evenings are the same. From local favourites to the best regional and WA talent, a very special surprise guest on Wednesday night and a secret internationally-known DJ on Thursday – all the family will have their world’s rocked!
We’ve gathered the most out-of-this-world-delicious food trucks to show you you can’t spell gastronomy without astronomy, plus there’ll be more entertainment happening over the course of each evening. The kids will love all the activities we’ve packed in for them in the Astro Tent from 5 pm to 7 pm nightly, including fun astronomy and art projects, games, the bubble atmosphere, and more!
Admission is free to this alcohol-free event. SolFest is open:
Wednesday the 19th, 4:30pm – 10pm
Thursday the 20th, 4:30pm – 10:30pm
Friday the 21st, 4:30pm – 10pm
at Talanjee Oval
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
Please be advised that this event has sold out. Tickets are still available for the (g) Astronomy Dinner on Thursday the 20th of April, and the Fervor Dark Sky Dining Dinner on Saturday the 22nd of April.
Enjoy a seaside dinner at dusk in the beautiful Exmouth Yacht Club with a seafood BBQ buffet. On the evening before the eclipse, WA’s magnificent fruits of the ocean will be showcased at this beautiful dinner.
While the final menu is still under wraps, guests can expect Exmouth BBQ Prawns, grilled line-caught grilled fish, Malaysian satay skewers, coal-roasted corn, baby cos hearts salad, potatoes, and bread, finished with a delicious whiskey & pear tart for dessert. Setting the scene, there’ll be live acoustic music playing against the backdrop of the twinkling Exmouth Gulf.
Bookings are essential for the Dark Sky Festival Seafood BBQ – and are expected to sell out quickly. Tickets are $65 + booking fee and includes food. Drinks can be purchased in addition at the bar. Please note there are two sittings for the Dark Sky Festival Seafood BBQ: 5:30pm – 7:15pm and 7:45 – 9:30pm
Please note that most dietary requirements can be accommodated and can be specified at the time of booking your ticket. A kids menu is available: Seafood Basket and Dessert $25 (13 years and younger)
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
There’s never quite been dinner under the stars like this before. The astronomical rarity of a solar eclipse, the canopy of the glittering WA skies, and the region’s incredible produce – with a Welcome to Country to initiate the evening. Beloved public figure and author, Broome astronomer Greg Quicke – known as Space Gandalf – will also be at the dinner to chat with guests and talk through the significance of the Dark Sky Festival.
Even the beautiful wines you’ll be drinking have been influenced by the stars. Made by Vanya Cullen of Wilyabrup’s Cullen Wines, she practises biodynamic viticulture; a method that recognises the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos. Her New Moon wine series will be served on this heavenly evening.
Bookings are essential for this spectacular event held on Thursday the 20th of April at Exmouth Yacht Club from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Tickets are $200pp + booking fee. Please note that most dietary requirements can be accommodated and can be specified at the time of booking your ticket.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change
Join us for First Lights: Nyinggulu on Town Beach in Exmouth – a spectacle of light and sound that illuminates the night sky to share ancient stories of place. Guided by Baiyungu custodian Hazel Walgar of the Nyinggulu coast and Yingarrda-Wadjarri artist Sonya Edney, the spectacular Dreaming story of the great eclipse will resound across the night sky. This is the story born from silence, of Jirndarl and Willarda, the sun, the moon and their first encounter. Produced by the Fremantle Biennale, this is an epic-scale aerial choreography consisting of a fleet of 160 light drones. Before the Drone Show, come down earlier to Town Beach to enjoy an Indigenous cultural event, with a selection of music and dance. From the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation’s Jamba Nyinayi Festival, this event will feature innovative performances from community dance projects with the Coral Spawn Dancers, The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew and the Pundarra Guntharri Dancers showcasing both contemporary and traditional dance. Original music performances with Olive Knight and John Bennet compositions that centre around the traditional Baiyungu story of the eclipse – the meeting of Willara and Jirndarl – and the Jamba Nyinayi Band performing, featuring Raymond Edney, Wesley Mongoo and Jenaya Lawrence. Proudly presented by the State Government of Western Australia in conjunction with Lotterywest and the Shire of Exmouth, tickets are not required for this event. Catch one of the courtesy bus shuttles down to Town Beach to secure your viewing spot from 5pm – 8:15pm on Thursday the 20th of April.
You can find out more about the Fremantle Biennale’s First Light Drone Show here
Image credit: First Lights — Moombaki (2021). Courtesy of Fremantle Biennale. Photo: Duncan Wright
*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change