The Virtual Solar System Highlights: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

Planning a trip that combines space education with the freedom of a self-paced drive? This Virtual Solar System Highlights tour in New South Wales offers a unique way to explore the planets right from your car. It’s a mix of giant billboards, engaging commentary, and the scenic countryside, all designed to make the universe feel a little closer.

What we find appealing is the tour’s flexibility — you can start when you like, linger at stops, and revisit the experience later on your own device. Plus, the expert insights from people like Fred Watson, Australia’s well-known astronomer, promise an engaging and credible narrative. On the downside, some users have found the directions a bit tricky and the app’s setup can be frustrating initially. Still, for those curious about space or looking for a novel activity during a road trip, this offers real value.

This experience is perfect for families with children, space buffs, or anyone curious about the cosmos who appreciates a self-guided adventure. It’s also attractive for those who prefer learning at their own pace without rushing through a fixed schedule.

Key Points

• Self-guided flexibility: You can start, pause, and revisit at your convenience, making it perfect for varying travel paces.
• Educational and engaging: Involves commentary from known experts that add credibility and interest.
• Visual impact: Giant three-dimensional planet models on billboards make the planets easy to spot and fun for photo opportunities.
• Cost-effective: At just $6.99 per group, it offers a memorable experience without a hefty price tag.
• Technical considerations: The app is offline and user-friendly once set up, but initial directions and app navigation may pose some challenges.
• Suitable for a variety of travelers: Whether you’re with family, a space lover, or just exploring NSW, it offers a unique perspective on our solar system.

Exploring the Tour in Detail

The Starting Point: Coonabarabran Visitors Centre

Your journey begins outside the Coonabarabran Visitors Centre, a logical and convenient spot for travelers exploring the region. Here, you receive instructions on how to use the VoiceMap app—a key to unlocking this virtual tour. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS, and once downloaded, it works offline, which is essential for rural areas with limited signal.

The Route: A Drive Through Space and Countryside

The core of this experience is a driving tour that takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how long you choose to stop at each planet. You’ll see six out of nine three-dimensional planet models displayed on large billboards along the world’s largest Virtual Solar System Drive. These billboards are designed for high visibility and serve as both educational tools and photo ops.

The route begins at the Visitors Centre and ends at the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia’s largest telescope. Along the way, you’ll be guided by audio commentary – rich with facts and insights, including input from Fred Watson, Astronomer-in-Charge for over 20 years. This adds credibility and depth to the experience, especially if you’re keen on expert opinions.

The Content: Interactive and Informative

The tour’s narration covers six planets, providing details about their sizes, distances, and unique features. The billboards’ 3D models enhance the visual experience, making the planets seem larger-than-life as you drive past. As one review highlights, the colorful planets are striking and fun, especially for kids: “Fascinating and engaging looking out for planets,” as one traveler put it.

The Technical Experience: The VoiceMap App

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll get a unique code and instructions to install the VoiceMap app. The app’s GPS features automatically guide you through the route with turn-by-turn directions, which is helpful in rural settings. However, some reviews pointed out that app navigation can sometimes be tricky, requiring users to troubleshoot or manually change settings.

Support is available via email and phone, and users should not hesitate to reach out if they encounter issues, as this can significantly improve the experience. The app’s offline capability means you don’t need to worry about losing signal, a big plus for remote NSW roads.

The Stops: Highlights and Challenges

• The Planet Billboards: These large, colorful sculptures are the main visual draw, offering a quick and memorable way to learn about each planet’s size and appearance.
• Fred Watson’s commentary: Adds a layer of expert credibility and interesting anecdotes, making the drive more than just visual stimulation.
• Photo opportunities: Many travelers enjoy stopping to snap pictures with the planets, or to read about them at each billboard. One reviewer shared that their kid was especially excited to see the planets and learn about them.

End Point: Siding Spring Observatory

The tour concludes at Siding Spring Observatory, where you can extend your space-themed day with additional tours. Another audio tour around the Observatory is available for purchase, wrapping up your cosmic journey. The Observatory is open from noon to late, making it a flexible final stop.

What Travelers Are Saying

Authentic reviews reveal a spectrum of experiences. Many appreciated the engaging content and the chance to see the distances of our solar system visually. One noted, “Fascinating and engaging looking out for planets,” emphasizing the educational value.

However, feedback about directions has been mixed. One reviewer mentioned, “Directions from the Information Centre to Saturn didn’t tell us to stop there and then turn back,” resulting in some confusion and lost time. This highlights the importance of having a good map or GPS familiarity.

Other reviews mentioned the app’s tricky setup—needing to explore settings or troubleshoot GPS issues. Yet, once running smoothly, users found the commentary “interesting,” and the billboards “easy to spot.”

Value for Money

At $6.99 per group, this experience is highly affordable, especially considering the expert voiceovers and the visual spectacle. It’s a cost-effective way to add a space dimension to your trip—without paying for a guided tour or expensive museum entrance fees.

Suitability for Different Travelers

Given its self-guided nature, this tour suits those who prefer to explore at their own pace. It’s particularly good for families with kids, who enjoy visual and interactive learning. It also appeals to astronomy enthusiasts wanting a visual overview of our solar system, or anyone interested in combining scenic drives with educational content.

The Sum Up

The Virtual Solar System Highlights tour offers a straightforward yet engaging way to learn about the planets, especially suited for those who enjoy self-directed travel and visual learning. The giant billboards are a highlight, offering memorable photo opportunities and making the planets feel surprisingly tangible. The inclusion of Fred Watson’s insights lends authority and depth, elevating the experience beyond just viewing billboards.

While some users may find the initial setup and directions a little frustrating, the overall value remains high for the price point. It’s a flexible, family-friendly activity that can turn a simple road trip into an immersive space adventure.

This tour is ideal for space enthusiasts, families with curious kids, or anyone wanting a fun, educational stop on a drive through rural New South Wales. For travelers seeking a low-cost, high-engagement activity that combines technology, scenery, and science, it’s a solid choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?
It typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours, depending on how long you stop at each billboard and how quickly you drive.

Can I do the tour at any time?
Yes, the tour is self-guided, and you can start it whenever you like, offering flexibility to fit your schedule.

Is the app difficult to use?
Once set up, the VoiceMap app is generally reliable, with GPS playback and offline access. Some users have experienced initial setup issues, but support is available.

What’s included in the price?
For $6.99, you get lifetime access to the virtual tour, the app for mobile devices, and offline audio and maps.

Are there any entry fees to the attractions?
No, the tour does not include entrance fees to any attractions along the route, so be prepared for additional costs if you visit other sites.

Is this suitable for children?
Yes, many reviews mention kids getting excited about spotting planets and learning about space, making it a family-friendly activity.

Can I revisit the tour later?
Absolutely. The tour offers unlimited access even after your initial booking, so you can do it again at your convenience.

What should I bring?
Bring your smartphone with the VoiceMap app installed, headphones for better listening, and a camera for photos of the billboards.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?
Since the tour is a driving experience with stops at billboard sites, it’s generally suitable for those with mobility limitations, as there’s no strenuous walking involved.

Where does the tour end?
The drive concludes at Siding Spring Observatory, which can be a stop for further exploration if you wish.

This self-guided, space-themed drive offers both educational value and scenic beauty, with the flexibility to adapt to your pace and interests—making it a fun and informative addition to any trip through New South Wales.