We all need to play more, and Dopamine Land provides the perfect space to do it! The multisensory experience in Brisbane’s CBD combines media, art and technology to create all different experiences to explore, photograph and reflect on.
Named after the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter, Dopamine Land is an indoor fun land, pitched mainly to adults. After a brief introduction to the vibe and rules of the experience, groups of participants are let loose to explore a range of rooms off a main corridor.
With each doorway lit with a different neon colour, visitors can make their way through rooms such as the Story Tent, Sunset Beach, Galaxy of Lights, Step and Sound, Woodland Wonderland, Pillow Fight, Writing Room and Lucid Dreams. Several of these rooms are exactly what they say on the tin: Writing Room is covered in writing that participants can add to, and in the Pillow Fight room. . . You pillow fight.
Sunset Beach – an adult ball pit enjoyed by young and old – was the highlight. On the door was a sign stressing the ten-minute limit – but it didn’t seem like many were abiding by it. Galaxy of Lights was very pretty, and we had a great time in Pillow Fight. Woodland Wonderland – a room of astroturf and fake trees with an alluring pine scent – was also a favourite, and a good chill-out spot among the intense stimulation of the rest of the space.
Dopamine Land is more play space than art installation, and it varies wildly how long it takes to experience each room. Children were zipping in and out, roaming back and forth between spaces with gleeful abandon (there are nighttime timeslots for those who wish to head in sans enfant) and Instagrammers were also taking their sweet time moving through the space. While organisers estimate it will take about 50 minutes to do the circuit, that may be optimistic if you’re running short on imagination.
Dopamine Land is well worth a visit, offering a delightful blend of sensory stimulation and interactive fun that works best when you let yourself get swept along. It is an ideal destination for families, couples, and anyone looking to inject a bit of happiness into their day.
