Dive into the world of legendary filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron, as he takes us on a journey to the bottom of the ocean.
We’ve pulled together a list of the top five things not to miss on your next visit!
1. Sit inside the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER pilot sphere
Step into a replica of the tiny 109cm-wide cockpit where Cameron spent over six hours journeying to the ocean’s deepest point. Designed and engineered by Cameron himself, this Australian-made sphere showcases his relentless pursuit of exploration.
2. See the original Titanic “Heart of the Ocean” necklace
Get up close to one of cinema’s most iconic props, plus original Titanic costumes, concept sketches, and more from the award-winning film.
3. Discover the Rusticle experiment
Watch corrosion in real-time through an electrolysis experiment showing how steel decays in seawater. These icicle-shaped “rusticles” offer insight into how shipwrecks like the Titanic are slowly vanishing.
4. Marvel at Titanic wreck scale model
Witness this impressive 1/20th scale model commissioned by Cameron to assist with the planning of his filming. The underwater cameras at the time could only hold 12 minutes of film so every shot had to be perfectly choreographed ahead of time.
5. Learn about film making technology
On display for the first time, this pioneering ‘performance capture suit’ captures actors’ underwater performances in stunning detail. See how Cameron pushed boundaries to bring Avatar’s underwater scenes to life.
James Cameron – Challenging the Deep is now on at Queensland Museum Tropics, Townsville until 26 October 2025. Don’t miss your chance to see this incredible exhibition – book now!
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