ellaslist Reviews: Creature at PHIVE Parramatta

The clap of lightning and the long low growl of thunder had my three daughters cautiously peering inside the darkened space… then the rain began to fall, pitter-pattering on the ground, water droplets bouncing up the walls.

They warily stepped inside, and as the rain started to let up, the moon rose, beaming a calming effect on the room – before bursts of kaleidoscopic colours streamed down the walls igniting that special type of ‘kid-energy’ that sees them literally bouncing off the roof.

This is Creature at PHIVE

PHIVE presents Creature

Creature is a captivating fusion of nature and technology, allowing visitors an immersive experience where one interactive projection seamlessly flows to the next, from kangaroos bounding around the walls to a raging fire engulfing everything in its path to the gentle bush slowly swaying in the wind. Whilst the optics are great, the projections are set to a symphony of sounds, with the crackle of burning bush and the chirp of crickets bringing the exhibition to life.

The Space

This is the kind of space you can let your kids run wild… and we certainly did. The projections and accompanying soundtrack give life to kids, and the darkened space releases all their inhibitions.

Our 6-year-old raced around the room chasing the kangaroos, Miss-3 preferred to get up close to the walls, touching the projections as they moved, and our 18-month-old joyously laughed as she toddled between her two sisters.

The Crowd

 We visited on a Saturday lunchtime, and there was no line-up, no crowds, and we could grab one of the (limited) seats inside the space.

On a side note, some of the circular seat cushions were quite popular amongst the older kids there – they were used as wheels to be pushed around the exhibition and added to the free-flowing vibe of the event.

The Area

Whilst Creature is an impressive experience, there is only so long you can hold the attention of young kids… which is why it’s so great there is loads to do at PHIVE and surrounds.

So once you’ve finished – let’s rephrase that – once your kids have finished with the Creature exhibit, jump in the lift to level 1 and visit the new state-of-the-art Library with a dedicated children’s space, including a huge kid’s book collection.

And when it’s time to eat, make your way out the front, where you’ll find brightly coloured bean bags and umbrellas in Parramatta Square to settle into and munch on a packed lunch, or grab something from the cafes nearby.

The Departure

As we headed back to Westfield, where we’d parked (there is also paid parking onsite at PHIVE), we happened to pass a sensory-friendly playground, which felt like it rounded out our day nicely.

Where:   PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square
When:    1 July – 16 July | Mon to Wed 10 am – 4 pm | Thu to Sun 10.30 am – 4 pm
Cost:      FREE* entry  (If you would like to take part in a 30-minute guided performance, these are $10 per ticket).

For more information on how you can enjoy a free day out at Creature by PHIVE, head to the PHIVE website.

What else can you do in Parramatta? Loads!

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Eat Street Parramatta: 10 Restaurants to Try in 2023
Parramatta River: 10 Must-Visit Attractions

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