Murchison Vast Sky Experience Business Case
The Murchison Interpretation Experience (Vast Sky Project) is a Business Case and Concept Design that builds on the Murchison Settlement Masterplan (UDLA 2021) and aims at attracting domestic and international visitors for an immersive experience in one of WA’s more remote communities. The design response locates a series of spaces, built forms, amenities and activities in and around the Murchison Settlement to provide for a collection of immersive visitor experiences that celebrate and reveal the unique aspects of the Murchison region.
Murchison Settlement is located within the
Shire of Murchison, which spans 49,500 square
kilometres. The Shire sits in the Murchison
subregion of Western Australia’s Mid West.
UDLA, in collaboration with TRCB, TRC, HWA and MCa, prepared the business case and concept design. Developed through extensive community and stakeholder engagement, the business case identifies priority outcomes, staged delivery strategies, and economic impacts. It describes how the proposed facilities can enhance tourism, education, and cultural activities, with minimal reliance on ongoing staffing. Key features include a multi-functional Interpretive Centre, a multimedia “Skybox” viewing platform, immersive accommodation cabins, dorm-style group lodging, caravan park extensions, and interpretive trails and artworks.
The Business Case focused on proposing facilities to be constructed in Murchison Settlement, which is the nearest accessible tourism appropriate location to the Australian component of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The SKA is a global project to build one of the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescopes.
Multi-functional Interpretive Centre (foreground), with playground and “Skybox” beyond
Developed through extensive community and stakeholder engagement, the business case identifies priority outcomes, staged delivery strategies, and economic impacts. It describes how the proposed facilities can enhance tourism, education, and cultural activities, with minimal reliance on ongoing staffing. Key features include a multi-functional Interpretive Centre, a multimedia “Skybox” viewing platform, immersive accommodation cabins, dorm-style group lodging, caravan park extensions, and interpretive trails and artworks.
“Skybox” viewing platform
With clear benefits for residents, visitors, and stakeholders, all framed by deep appreciation for place-sensitive design, the Murchison Vast Sky Business Case proposes a bold and strategic investment for the future of WA’s Mid West.
Details:
Client: Shire of Murchison, Mid West Development Commission
Aboriginal Country: Wajarri Country
Location: Murchison, Western Australia
Dates: 2022
Lead Consultant: UDLA
Collaborators: TRCB (architecture), TRC (Tourism), HWA (Quantity Surveying), MCa (Economic Analysis), Arina Timis (Visualisations)
Stakeholders: Shire of Murchison / Murchison Community; Mid West Development Commission; Regional Development Australia; Pia Wadjari Community; International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research; CSIRO; Astrotourism WA; Tourism WA; SKAO; Scitech; WA Museum; Inspiring Australia / WA; Frances Pollock, Wooleen Station.
