As we ‘boarded’ Titanic The Exhibition we were each handed a boarding pass. There we found our passenger name, class of travel and occupation. These details are those of real passengers who sailed on the Titanic. Much chatter ensued with us comparing our names and occupations. AJ decided to swap with me because the passenger card I was given was a passenger with her name. Unwillingly I gave up my new identity and swapped for a passenger named Edith and it would prove a fateful decision. It was a sobering reminder of how small decisions decided the fate of so many on the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Some passengers survived because they missed the sailing, others disembarked at a port prior to the accident. So many felt lucky to be on the liner headed for New York but for so many the trip would be their last.
The exhibition is all on one level with good wheelchair access throughout.
Titanic The Exhibition took us on a journey into the heart of the ship allowing us to immerse ourselves into the story of the ship’s first and final voyage. The hundreds of artefacts and recreations of the luxurious interiors offer an insight into an era which is lost. A time of such grandeur and attention to detail that is unimaginable in today’s world. Imagine a time when a table setting included silver grape scissors, asparagus tongs, sugar tongs and a nut cracker.
While Hubby and I were keen to read the information boards and stories of the people who travelled on Titanic, the kids were more interested in the overall experience and items on display.
Boarding the ship we walked through rooms with recreations of the grand staircase and various class cabins.
The exhibition uses varied mediums to tell the story of the ship from the mammoth task of building it to memorabilia from the era.
It’s interesting to see items which have disappeared from society, some thankfully so, like spitting bowls!
After reading the timeline of the Titanic’s approach and eventual collision with the iceberg we were urged to touch the exhibition’s iceberg. Touching the ice at a temperature of 2 degrees we were asked to imagine being in waters even colder for several hours. Feeling it, and reading the stories of the individual passengers, brings the story to life.
And in the next room we had the opportunity to check the memorial wall to see if the passenger we were allocated at the start of our journey had survived. This gave us an vested interest in the passengers and it was incredibly sad to learn both the kid’s passengers survived but Hubby and I were not so lucky. Hubby had been allocated Joseph Phillippe Lemercier Laroche, the only black passenger aboard the ship. He safely escorted his wife and children into a life boat knowing there would not be enough room for the men. I can’t even imagine the despair on everyone’s part in that situation.
The exhibition shares footage of James Cameron’s exploration of the sunken ship. A Perspex floor displays a sandy ocean floor strewn with items which helps kids visualise a ship wreck.
Although the exhibition is about Titanic the ship rather than Titanic the movie, there is a nod to the role the ill-fated ship has played in movies over time.
Costumes from James Cameron’s award-winning movie Titanic are displayed along with the famous “Heart of the Ocean” necklace.
ACCESSIBILITY
The exhibition is fully accessible.
Accessible parking is available in the Entertainment Quarter undercover secure car park (paid).
An accessible stand alone unisex bathroom is available opposite the exhibition.
Companion Card is accepted. Phone ahead to book your companion card ticket – 1300 364 002
You can read more about Titanic The Exhibition here.
Our family were provided with complimentary tickets for the purposes of reviewing accessibility. While my fate was not so good on this particular journey, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
