Warooka Embraces AR Murals for Cultural Tourism
A small town on the Southern Yorke Peninsula has introduced an augmented reality project that transforms large-scale public murals into interactive experiences, weaving together local culture, landscapes, and community storytelling. The initiative, known as the Moving Murals Project, was unveiled in Warooka during the 2025 Yorke Peninsula Grounded Festival, a regional component of the South Australian Living Artists Festival.
The project was developed under the guidance of the Warooka Progress Association, with support from academics at UniSA. It was created to expand the Yorke Peninsula Art Trail, drawing more visitors to the southern part of the region while enriching cultural engagement. What distinguishes this endeavour is its fusion of traditional mural art with modern AR technology, offering a new dimension to visual storytelling.
Lead artist Jasmine Swales collaborated with a team of local creators to produce three striking murals in Warooka’s main street. The first, located on Molly’s Tank, depicts an underwater scene inspired by life beneath a jetty. The second, which draws attention to the distinctive natural terrain and showcases regional animals such as the mallee fowl, goanna, and brush-tailed bettong, is painted on the exterior of the town’s Foodworks store. The third, located on the side of Warooka Hardware, captures the region’s dramatic coastline, featuring imagery of the nautilus shell, ospreys, plovers, oyster catchers, a sea eagle, and native flora, including coastal saltbush.
Two of the murals, Molly’s Tank and Foodworks, include ‘trigger images’. These embedded designs allow visitors to unlock digital layers of meaning when scanned, delivering AR stories that expand upon the visual artwork. For instance, the underwater mural not only showcases marine life but also offers an AR journey featuring a diver and a Narungga cultural story about a shark. The supermarket mural offers insights into rewilding projects and local habitat restoration efforts.
The Warooka Primary School played a significant role, with students contributing designs, stories, and even painting sections of the murals. This community-led approach ensured the artworks reflected local perspectives and heritage. Meanwhile, UniSA researchers from the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments, alongside the Creative People, Products and Places Research Centre, offered expertise in AR technology. The researchers conducted workshops and consultations in Warooka, demonstrating how immersive media could support storytelling. They successfully implemented AR in two murals, though the hardware store mural awaits further funding before its digital element can be developed.
The Moving Murals Project is viewed locally as both a cultural and economic boost. Project coordinator Carolyn Ramsey emphasised that the addition of AR elevates the murals beyond static artworks, creating dynamic experiences that resonate with people of all ages. This blend of creativity and technology not only attracts tourism but also strengthens Warooka’s identity as a cultural hub.
Several institutions provided funding for the project, including the Yorke Peninsula Council, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, the Ballara Art and Lifestyle Retreat, the Warooka Progress Association, the Foundation for Regional and Remote Renewal, and Country Arts SA. The collaboration between academic researchers, local artists, and community groups has been credited with delivering a project that is both innovative and deeply rooted in its regional context.
By blending art with immersive digital experiences, Warooka has positioned itself as a destination that celebrates both tradition and modern innovation. The Moving Murals stand as a testament to community-driven creativity, offering residents and visitors alike a chance to experience local heritage through a new lens.
