Looking to escape into an experience that makes you see the world differently? Step into the dark at Brisbane Festival’s Lightscape where you’ll have no choice but to feel illuminated.

Described as “an after-dark wonderland of light, colour and sound” (www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2024/lightscape) Lightscape’s immersive 1.8km winding trail showcases Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens in, dare I say it, a new light. There, I’ve gone and used a cliché because there really are no better words.

Enter the Winter Cathedral’s arches to the soft oohhs and aahhs of other visitors. Just one type of small, flower-shaped light features here, but tens of 1000s of them together create a beautiful softly-lit ‘tunnel of love’ — you’ll feel delightfully compelled to pose for a selfie with your partner, just like everyone else.

Look up to larger-than-life flowers in pinks, reds and blues that you and Miley Cyrus just want to buy for yourself. Dance in the moonlight as a rainbow-coloured kaleidoscope of light illuminates the towering canopy of a banyan tree, with its glow leaving you feeling happy, and indeed ready to dance.

Lights in long strings, lights in wide fields, lights in ever-changing colours and geometrical shapes — to wander through and gaze at — reveal a very different perspective of the Gardens’ vegetation, grassy slopes and winding paths. Palm trees and rainforest plants are transformed with a mix of soft and bright spotlights that create weird shapes and shadows. Your eye will be drawn to forms and features often neglected in the light of day.

This year’s Brisbane’s Lightscape features First Nations artistry. Fire, smoke, music and voice add to the stories of the installations, while the lights of Brisbane City watch over but never intrude. The 90 minute journey has something different to show you around each corner. There truly are illuminating moments of wonder to enjoy, long after the lights have dimmed.

Lightscape is on until October 12 2024.

For event details visit www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2024/lightscape

*I visited Lightscape at my own expense

Have a tourism experience you want to promote?  Let’s chat!