Get Confused (in a Good Way) at Over 80 Interactive Installations in Sydney’s New Museum of Illusions

Remember those seriously captivating choose-your-own-adventure books from the ’90s? Sydney’s shiny new Museum of Illusions is like that – kind of. Think of it as a collection of inviting rooms, with a new adventure waiting for you behind each door.

Museum of Illusions was launched in Croatia over a decade ago, combining education and entertainment in an “edutainment” experience with interactive optical illusions that’ll make you question what you know (or think you know) about the world around you. Ten years on, it’s got locations in more than 60 cultural hubs across the world. In November, it opened in Santa Monica, Los Angeles; the following month, in Sydney.

In primo position on George Street in the CBD, it’s ready for groups of curious pals, families with young kids and inquisitive individuals looking for fun – with a side of confusion.

“Our museums are designed to captivate your senses, challenge your perceptions and ignite your imagination,” says Kim Schaefer, global CEO of Museum of Illusions. “It’s an incredible experience where everyone gets to choose their own journey.”

The museum has more than 80 exhibits, including a spinning vortex tunnel (one to avoid on a full stomach); the trapezoidal Ames room where size gets distorted; an anti-gravity room that lets you live out your childhood astronaut dreams; a trippy mirrored “infinity” room; and a room built sideways. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to eat dinner with five clones of yourself, there’s an exhibit for that too. All the rooms are chock-a-block with holograms, stereograms and optical illusions that’ll have you thinking, “How on earth is this possible?”

“We’re not trying to do magic, but we do play tricks on your mind,” says Schaefer. “We’re allowing you to reimagine reality.”

Each Museum of Illusions outpost features a nod to the local community, with Sydney’s home to an impressive illusion of the Queen Victoria Building, a good old-fashioned Aussie pub in reverse (you’ll have to see it to understand what we mean), and a surfer with wandering eyes.

“My favourite room is always the symmetry room, but I do love the building illusions. And the surfer speaks to the wonderful beaches in this lucky city,” says Schaefer, who’s based in the US. “Sydney is such a wonderful city. It has such a rich culture, with people looking for something fun and entertaining to do. Our museum is fun and appropriate for all ages, which is one thing we’re most proud of.”

It’s also rife with photo opportunities, including one in which you appear dangling from a building, and another that makes you miniature. And if you get lost (which is likely) or can’t decide what to check out next, there are Illusion Experts throughout the space to help you choose your next adventure.

“There’s no time limit, so you can go at your own pace. With up to 80 exhibits in our museums, you might not get to experience everything in one go, so come back and see things from a different perspective,” says Schaefer. “No two visits will be the same.”

And Melbourne, watch this space. There could be a Museum of Illusions coming your way soon.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the Museum of Illusions. Now open at 413 George Street, Sydney, the Museum of Illusions has been welcoming visitors since Boxing Day. Tickets are available via moisydney.com.