See the Peninsula through a new lens

Mornington Peninsula Shire is “breathing new life” into nine sites with ARTREK, a public art exhibition that uses augmented reality to reimagine various murals and open spaces on the Peninsula. By downloading the shire’s app to your phone and scanning the QR codes you find at the sites, you’ll be able to experience creative animated artscapes.

See the contemporary Old Wives, Dolphin, and Fisherman murals at Capel Sound and Rye come to life through 2D animation, including colourful artwork created by Peninsula school children. Watch the hustle and bustle of a bygone era as Portsea's Main St and pier are recreated through sound and animation, and look back in time at Sorrento Esplanade and see the original steam tram and horse-drawn carriages arriving with Melbourne visitors for a day at the beach.

See giant animated pinkies and enormous humpback whales float through the air at Safety Beach and Blairgowrie, and read about their journey to our shores. And inspired by the Rosebud Kite Festival, you can fly kites created by children and watch them soar over the Rosebud foreshore.

ARTREK is free and available year-round, making it an ideal interactive activity for families during school holidays or anyone who’s planning a weekend trip to the Peninsula. For more information, including detailed maps and instructions on how to download and use the app, go to artsandculture. mornpen.vic.gov.au/artrek

“These interactive experiences are waiting to inspire you at every coastal turn,” said mayor Simon Brooks. “You don’t have to be ‘arty’ to enjoy ARTREK. Whether you’re young or old, there’s bound to be an augmented reality experience that grabs your interest or your children’s or grandchildren’s curiosity.”

As well as visiting the ARTREK augmented reality sites, why not spend the afternoon or day checking out some of the Peninsula’s First Nations artwork. There’s the stunning Ngalamba ‘living wall’ in Rye, which includes sculpture, native plants and murals; and check out the 21-NBN node cabinets covered in Aboriginal art wraps across 13 townships.

For more information about these activations, including detailed maps and videos, go to artsandculture.mornpen.vic.gov.au