The Enchanted Forest, Shellharbour

Blackbutt Forest Reserve, 2023–2026

Combining immersive lighting, projection, lasers, holograms, special effects and sound, The Enchanted Forest, Shellharbour transformed Blackbutt Forest Reserve into an award-winning nighttime experience from 2023–2026.

The family-friendly Luna Light Journey intertwined technology, storytelling and nature, inviting audiences to explore the forest after dark through interactive digital art, spectacular lighting and immersive soundscapes.

Launching in 2023, The Enchanted Forest attracted more than 66,000 visitors and won Best Small Regional Event at the 2023 Australian Event Awards. Following two consecutive sold-out seasons, more than 120,000 guests had experienced the journey by the end of 2024.

Each season introduced a new creative experience, evolving from the original enchanted journey into narrative-led adventures including Lost Astronaut in 2024, underwater adventure Tides of Treasure in 2025 and nature-inspired In Bloom in 2026.

Across four seasons, Laservision partnered with Shellharbour City Council to continually reimagine The Enchanted Forest, transforming the established trees, forest canopy and pathways of Blackbutt Forest Reserve into an immersive nighttime destination.

What Clients Say

The overwhelming success of The Enchanted Forest has truly helped put Shellharbour City on the map as an event destination.

Shellharbour’s incredible light and sound spectacle recognised on national stage.

I wanted to stay in The Enchanted Forest all night.

Returns ... to transform Roma Street Parkland into a light-filled playground for four dazzling weeks.”

The Enchanted Garden is a family favourite that always sells out in record time, bringing thousands of residents to the city to celebrate the holidays.”

The luminous show lets you see one of the city's favourite places in a completely new light.”

CREATIVE

Show narrative

Laservision created a new Enchanted Forest narrative and immersive environment each season, combining technology and storytelling with the natural landscape of Blackbutt Forest Reserve.

In 2023, the forest came alive through vibrant installations, lasers, holograms, interactive projection, digital art and lush soundscapes, establishing the award-winning Luna Light Journey.

In 2024, Lost Astronaut transported audiences into an otherworldly forest, following a stranded astronaut attempting to rebuild their spacecraft and escape the alien landscape.

In 2025, Tides of Treasure transformed the forest into an underwater world. Interactive marine life, holograms, glowing trails and bioluminescent effects guided guests on a search for the lost key to unlock hidden treasure.

In 2026, In Bloom reimagined the journey through a nature-inspired world, bringing the forest to life through immersive light, colour, interactive installations and storytelling.

TECHNICAL

INTERACTIVE PROJECTION & DIGITAL ART

Interactive projection transformed pathways and forest environments into dynamic digital canvases
Custom projection content was developed to complement each season’s narrative
Touch and movement-responsive projection introduced opportunities for audiences to influence the experience
Projection was integrated throughout the natural landscape, using the forest itself as part of the visual environment

LASERS & LARGE-SCALE LIGHTING

High-powered lasers and custom lighting transformed Blackbutt Forest across multiple seasons
Trees, pathways and the forest canopy were illuminated with large-scale colour, texture and movement
Light sculptures, UV displays and hanging light curtains created new environments throughout the journey
Lighting and lasers were programmed alongside sound, projection and effects to support each season’s story

HOLOGRAMS & DIGITAL CHARACTERS

Holographic technology brought characters and creatures into the physical forest environment
Vivid holograms formed part of the original 2023 Enchanted Forest experience
Space-themed holograms supported the otherworldly environment of Lost Astronaut
Holographic marine life helped transform the forest into an underwater world for Tides of Treasure

BESPOKE LIGHT ART & INSTALLATIONS

Custom digital light sculptures and illuminated installations created focal points throughout the journey
New visual treatments and installations were introduced as the experience evolved each season
Light, digital art and the existing forest landscape were combined to create immersive environments without losing the character of Blackbutt Forest
Bespoke installations supported each year’s individual creative direction

INTERACTIVE & RESPONSIVE TECHNOLOGY

Interactive technology evolved across the seasons to deepen audience participation
Touch-responsive light spheres and interactive projections allowed guests to directly influence installations
Movement-responsive bioluminescent effects created immersive environments that reacted to audiences
Interactive zones were incorporated into the wider narrative rather than presented as standalone installations

IMMERSIVE SOUNDSCAPE

Custom soundscapes accompanied audiences throughout the forest journey
Audio environments changed as guests travelled between installations and story moments
Sound was coordinated with lighting, lasers, projection and special effects to strengthen immersion
Bespoke audio treatments complemented each season’s individual narrative

SPECIAL EFFECTS & ATMOSPHERICS

Special effects and atmospheric treatments enhanced lighting, projection and laser environments
Effects added depth and helped transform the familiar forest landscape after dark
Technical treatments evolved alongside each new creative concept
Outdoor-ready systems supported reliable operation within the natural forest environment

OPERATION

Operating a large-scale immersive experience within a natural forest environment requires extensive planning, technical expertise and coordination.

Laservision’s Operations and Technical teams, working in partnership with Shellharbour City Council, were responsible for ensuring The Enchanted Forest remained show-ready throughout each season while managing sophisticated multimedia technology within Blackbutt Forest Reserve.

Changing weather, outdoor conditions and thousands of guests travelling through the forest required robust technical systems and ongoing monitoring. Lighting, projection, lasers, audio, interactive installations and special effects were tested and maintained throughout each season to deliver a consistent audience experience.

Across consecutive seasons, Laservision successfully delivered, operated and continually evolved the award-winning The Enchanted Forest, creating a major nighttime attraction for Shellharbour and the wider South Coast region.