Pink circles on the map = audio trigger zones. Walk inside any pink area and the audio for that installation plays automatically. Larger circles cover wider views (e.g. Opera House sails, Cockle Bay lasers).
✅ Before you start
Allow GPS access in your browser. When you press Start Audio Tour, the browser will ask for location permission — tap Allow. Without GPS the tour cannot trigger audio.
Set your screen to never sleep.iPhone: Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never. Android: Settings → Display → Screen timeout → longest option.
Bring a power bank — GPS + audio drains battery fast over a 2–3 hour walk.
Use headphones — wired or Bluetooth buds. You’ll hear the commentary clearly over festival crowds.
📍 During the tour
GUIDE is ON by default (lit button) — audio plays automatically as you arrive at each installation. You can switch to manual mode any time:
Press Start Audio Tour, then walk (or cycle) towards the first installation — the Opera House sails. All 32 installations are shown as numbered pins on the map.
With GUIDE ON, commentary plays automatically when you enter the pink trigger zone (within ~30 m). Visited cards move to the bottom when audio finishes.
Tap GUIDE — the button fades. Nothing plays automatically — tap ▶ Listen on any card to play that installation manually.
🔴 Reset (red R button, top-left corner): the walk remembers which installations you have already heard on this device — even on another night — and won’t repeat them. If the installation cards look greyed-out (marked ✓ Played) and stay silent as you pass them — that’s why. Tap the red R to erase that history so the whole walk plays again from the start — use it to do the walk again on another night.
🗺️ Map controls: tap the compass icon to switch North Up / Heading Up — Heading Up turns the map with you and tilts the view like a car navigator. Two-finger gestures are enabled: twist to turn the map, slide both fingers up or down to tilt, pinch two fingers together to zoom out or spread them apart to zoom in. On a computer hold Ctrl and drag; + / − to zoom. Tap any pin to bring that attraction’s card to the top of the list.
ℹ️ Good to know
This is a browser-based web tour for walkers and cyclists — no app download required.
Mobile data required to stream audio. Sydney CBD has solid 4G/5G coverage along the entire route. Keep this tab in the foreground — switching apps may reload and restart the tour.
Manual controls: tap a pin on the map to jump that installation to the top of the list. Tap Navigate on any card to open Google Maps walking directions. Use SORT BY DISTANCE / NUMBER to switch order. Tap the compass icon to toggle North Up / Heading Up rotation.
Fullscreen auto-activates on Start. Tap Stop Tour to exit, or swipe down (mobile) / press Esc (desktop).
For walkers: allow 2–3 hours including photo stops. Route is flat, stroller-friendly, lit throughout the festival.
For cyclists: about 90 minutes if you don’t stop. Dismount in dense crowds at Circular Quay and Cockle Bay.
⚠ Do not reload this page during the walk — reloading resets all progress.
⚠ Independent product — not affiliated with Destination NSW or the Vivid Sydney® festival.
By using this tour you agree to our Terms & Conditions. Cyclists — keep your eyes on the path and the audio low enough to hear traffic and pedestrians.
