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Adelaide Fringe Takes The Dome to Whyalla

Wed, Mar 11 2026
Adelaide Fringe will bring Immersive Worlds’ centrepiece, The Dome, to Whyalla in 2026, delivering a season of 360 degree immersive cinema as part of a major regional program.
Two cuttlefish glide through underwater seaweed while the text ‘Immersive Worlds’ appears in a bright pink graphic frame.
The tour is made possible through Adelaide University, The Dome Touring Partner, whose support expands this headline experience beyond the city and helps remove barriers to participation for regional audiences.

The program travels to Whyalla, taking over Middleback Arts Centre from 27 March to 6 April 2026. It is also supported by the State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Drought Relief – Regional Event Fund to help deliver an event of genuine scale and calibre for the Upper Spencer Gulf.

Designed to be accessible and for audiences of all ages, The Dome envelops you in 360 degree cinema. Recline beneath the curved, ceiling-filling screen as stories unfold above you, spanning deep-sea worlds, space voyages, science adventures and music-led experiences.

Adelaide Fringe Acting CEO, Tara MacLeod said, “Bringing The Dome to the regions is about making sure experiences of this scale are not city-only. Immersive Worlds is a brand new signature initiative for 2026, and the regional touring program means families, young people and visitors can step into something spectacular in their own town. This is exactly what Fringe in the region is about, taking ambitious work to where people live, creating a reason to gather, and delivering the kind of ‘you have to see this’ experience that stays with you long after you walk back outside.”

Professor Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice Chancellor – International and External Engagement at Adelaide University said, “Adelaide University is proud to be supporting The Dome as Touring Partner, helping bring a world-class immersive experience to Whyalla, home to one of our major regional campuses. This partnership is about expanding access to live arts and culture, creating opportunities for regional communities to gather and participate, and making sure students, families and local audiences can experience something extraordinary close to home. We are committed to backing creativity, encouraging cultural engagement in the regions, and supporting initiatives that build aspiration and belonging across South Australia.”

Adelaide University’s partnership will also deliver significant on-the-ground benefits in Whyalla, including public opening moments, community talks and workshops, and a major subsidised ticket initiative designed to make Fringe more accessible than ever. Through this program, locals can experience The Dome and other participating regional shows for just $5, opening up world-class arts experiences at an unprecedented price point.

Thanks to the support of Adelaide University, thousands of tickets are available for just $5 in Whyalla. Local audiences can purchase $5 tickets by selecting the Whyalla Local Discount price type for all shows taking place in Whyalla. Tickets are strictly limited and available until allocations are exhausted.

The Dome touring dates are:
  • Whyalla: Middleback Arts Centre, 27 March to 6 April 2026 (including an opportunity for the local community to get a sneak peek of what’s on offer at the Whyalla Discovery Day event on 28 March)
The Dome highlights include:
  • The Dark Side of The Moon - Full-dome experience that sets 10 tracks from Pink Floyd’s iconic album The Dark Side of the Moon to mesmerising 360° visuals.
  • Ningaloo - an extraordinary submarine voyage in search of the key to life on Australia’s iconic Ningaloo Reef. - Winner Best Film and Digital 
  • Cuttlefish - This event, filmed off the coast of Whyalla, leverages cutting-edge 360° technology to bring you face-to-face with one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures.
  • The Great Solar System Adventure - Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium
Immersive Worlds is made possible thanks to Major Partner NRMA Insurance, Novatech, Electric Dreams, and the Government of South Australia.

The Dome extended season in Whyalla is made possible thanks to Touring Partner Adelaide University, with the support of the Drought Relief Regional Event Fund, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission.