New tourism opportunities for Mount Morgan Railway Station
During the early years of the twentieth century, Mount Morgan Railway Station was one of the gateways to Queensland’s richest gold mining region.
Railway activities ceased in 1987 and the station complex is now a Visitor Information Centre and Railway Museum managed by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development (MMPAD). The Visitor Information Centre receives almost 7,000 visitors each year.
AHS was tasked by MMPAD with developing an Interpretation Strategy to enhance the state heritage listed site’s reputation as a must-visit attraction, with the goal of drawing in more visitors and increasing the tourism appeal of the entire Mount Morgan township.
Having previously delivered a Conservation Management Plan for Mount Morgan Railway Station, AHS was the ideal choice for this project that demonstrated the expertise we offer to regional councils and clients within the tourism sector.
Gold discovered in 1881
Mount Morgan was originally part of the Calliungal pastoral station. The discovery of gold in 1881 led to the area’s rapid economic and social development as the enormous wealth of the Mount Morgan gold mine was realised.
By the time the railway was constructed in the 1890s Mount Morgan was a well-established township.
Railways Department architect Henrik Hansen’s design for the railway station included an open entrance vestibule with a ladies’ waiting room on the northern side and a booking office on the southern side.
A detailed timber portico was located in the centre of the building, with lace infill panels and a timber parapet featuring the words ‘AD 1898 RAILWAY STATION MOUNT MORGAN’. The front of the station has a wide verandah supported by timber columns.
This is one of a series of stations designed by Hansen in central Queensland, reflecting the importance of mineral wealth to the region at that time.
Mount Morgan Railway Station circa 1903, State Library of Queensland
Augmented reality technologies
Following a review of the history of Mount Morgan Railway Station and the statement of significance for the place, the AHS team identified potential audiences, thematic frameworks and interpretive opportunities.
The interpretation strategies focused upon the historic development of the railway service and its technology, as well as its connection to gold mining and significant historical figures.
We gave practical examples of how virtual reality and augmented reality could be used, such as an interactive display table zooming in to showcase the topography of the land and important features.
Interactive displays could present a time lapse of railway line and station’s development, as well as the Rockhampton region’s growth from pre-European settlement to the present day.
Virtual reality headsets or a phone app would let visitors experience the station at the height of the gold mining era and let them interact with virtual railway staff, Mount Morgan residents, Henrik Hansen and gold prospectors.
An example of an interactive display table, EyeFactive Interactive Systems
Learning from successful strategies
The detailed Interpretation Strategy provided by AHS suggested a variety of concepts and opportunities for the site.
By offering practical suggestions and providing examples used successfully by other operators we demonstrated how Mount Morgan Railway Station could grow as a visitor attraction, raising the town’s profile within Queensland’s tourism market.
The Interpretation Strategy document is the first of three stages, to be followed by an Interpretation Plan and the final Implementation phase executed by MMPAD.
To discover how we may be able to assist on your next project, contact us today here or phone (07) 3221 0000. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn.
Mount Morgan Railway Station circa 1918, State Library of Queensland
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The Challenge
Mount Morgan was originally part of the Calliungal pastoral station. The discovery of gold in 1881 led to the area’s rapid economic and social development as the enormous wealth of the Mount Morgan gold mine was realised.
By the time the railway was constructed in the 1890s Mount Morgan was a well-established township.
Railways Department architect Henrik Hansen’s design for the railway station included an open entrance vestibule with a ladies’ waiting room on the northern side and a booking office on the southern side.
A detailed timber portico was located in the centre of the building, with lace infill panels and a timber parapet featuring the words ‘AD 1898 RAILWAY STATION MOUNT MORGAN’. The front of the station has a wide verandah supported by timber columns.
This is one of a series of stations designed by Hansen in central Queensland, reflecting the importance of mineral wealth to the region at that time.
How we helped
Following a review of the history of Mount Morgan Railway Station and the statement of significance for the place, the AHS team identified potential audiences, thematic frameworks and interpretive opportunities.
The interpretation strategies focused upon the historic development of the railway service and its technology, as well as its connection to gold mining and significant historical figures.
We gave practical examples of how virtual reality and augmented reality could be used, such as an interactive display table zooming in to showcase the topography of the land and important features.
Interactive displays could present a time lapse of railway line and station’s development, as well as the Rockhampton region’s growth from pre-European settlement to the present day.
Virtual reality headsets or a phone app would let visitors experience the station at the height of the gold mining era and let them interact with virtual railway staff, Mount Morgan residents, Henrik Hansen and gold prospectors.
Results
The detailed Interpretation Strategy provided by AHS suggested a variety of concepts and opportunities for the site.
By offering practical suggestions and providing examples used successfully by other operators we demonstrated how Mount Morgan Railway Station could grow as a visitor attraction, raising the town’s profile within Queensland’s tourism market.
The Interpretation Strategy document is the first of three stages, to be followed by an Interpretation Plan and the final Implementation phase executed by MMPAD.
To discover how we may be able to assist on your next project, contact us today here or phone (07) 3221 0000. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn.
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