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The DigiMacq interactive tour is a Parramatta City Council initiative made possible with funding and support from the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. It has been produced by Parramatta City Council in collaboration with experts from the NSW Heritage Branch, The University of New South Wales School of Computer Science and Engineering, and Art of Multimedia.

“This is the most interesting tour I have ever taken. Being able to see and hear the stories really brings them to life, making it far more immersive than an audio tour”
(iTunes customer review, 5 July).

AOM’s latest interpretation project, delivered via iPhone and iPod, went live on the streets of Parramatta in July 2010.

DigiMacq: Parramatta and the Spirit of Lachlan Macquarie is part of the bicentenary celebrations for Macquarie’s swearing-in as governor of New South Wales.

It uses handheld media to take you an adventure through the township two hundred years ago, joined by Elizabeth and Lachlan Macquarie and a crew of colonial characters.

The AOM team helped to create this rollicking 45-minute interactive experience by weaving together an original script, a mass of archival images, period music and special effects.

“A beautiful experience ... great for schools or visitors to Parramatta. Visually appealing, historically interesting and a well-crafted user experience”
(iTunes customer review, 6 July).

DigiMacq is available for free download from the App Store until September 2010. Anyone taking the tour in Parramatta (instead of the comfort of their chair) discovers codes displayed around the city that unlock each section of the story.

“A well-devised and developed app ...
and best of all, it’s free!”
(iTunes customer review, 12 July).