For the third year running Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre has achieved record visitation numbers, welcoming a new high of 511,515 visitors in the 2016-2017 financial year.
Visitors to Questacon of all ages are immersed in eight galleries of interactive science experiences. It is the first time Questacon’s Centre has reached more than half a million visitors in a single year, and represents a 5% increase on the previous year.
“It is a privilege to be able to deliver Questacon’s unique brand of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fun to so many visitors at our main Centre here in Canberra every year,” Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant said.
“The year has seen five exhibitions, including two major blockbusters, with Spiders finishing in October 2016 and Above and Beyond opening in March this year. Our permanent exhibitions such as Mini Q, Questacon’s dedicated exploration space for 0 – 6 year olds, continue inspire even the youngest Australians towards a path to become future leaders in STEM,” Professor Durant said.
Since opening in 1988, Questacon has experienced a steady growth in visitor numbers, with the 11 millionth visitor walking through the doors in March this year. The Centre also serves communities across Australia, through travelling exhibitions, outreach programmes and capacity building through the Inspiring Australia Network.
“Questacon has continuously upgraded and adapted its offerings to accommodate the increasing number of visitors we attract each year. Our fantastic exhibitions, staff, and Volunteers do an amazing job of inspiring our visitors,” Professor Durant said.
Questacon was recognised at the Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin this year, winning the Best Tourist Attractions category.
“Questacon is proud to be embedded in the $1.62 billion ACT visitor economy, making a substantial contribution towards the more than four million tourists visiting Canberra each year. Questacon is at the forefront of science and tourism collaborations and provides a leading example of a sustainable and innovative social enterprise,” said Professor Durant.
Questacon’s second campus, The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre, offers teacher programmes and school holiday workshops aimed at teens and young adults. The Ian Potter Foundation Technology Learning Centre is the hub for Questacon’s national programmes and travelling exhibitions.
In its rich 29 year history, Questacon has engaged with over 33 million people through visitation to the main Centre, travelling exhibitions, international activities, and national STEM outreach programmes.
Media contact: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 02 6213 6308 or media@industry.gov.au
