Dark Spectrum

Hidden beneath the city, an electronic labyrinth awaits in the abandoned railway tunnels below Wynyard Station, open to the public for the very first time with Dark Spectrum.

Lose yourself across eight monochromatic rooms, in a transportive multi-sensory experience inspired by the euphoria found on underground dancefloors. Guided through a progression of colour, each room is also associated with a new mood – begin in the exciting state of constriction, before making your way to a sense of reflection and revelation. Unlike anything seen before at Vivid Sydney, Dark Spectrum is a portal into another world, one that needs your movements and body to come alive.

Premiering at Vivid Sydney before touring the world, this world-first experience is a timed and ticketed entry event, created in partnership with Sony Music, Mandylights and Culture Creative. Don't miss out, book now!

The entrance and box office for Dark Spectrum is located in Wynyard Park which is situated between York Street and Carrington Street. Once your ticket is scanned, you will be guided by a steward to the entrance. Please note, you will exit via Cumberland Street in The Rocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Dark Spectrum suitable for?

Dark Spectrum is suitable for a wide range of age groups to enjoy. However, please be advised that children between the ages of 6 and 12 must be accompanied by an adult and children aged 5 and under are not permitted into the event.

Do you accept Companion Cards?

Yes, holders of a government issued companion card can access a free ticket for their companion. Proof of eligibility will be required upon entry. Please book these tickets by calling Ticketek’s Accessible Line on 1300 665 915.

When can I see Dark Spectrum?

General admission tickets are available for Dark Spectrum every day during the Vivid Sydney season (26 May - 17 June 2023). Tickets are also available to purchase after Vivid Sydney for Wednesday to Sunday until 16 July 2023. Prices vary by day and time slot.

Do you take group bookings?

Groups of 20+ are eligible for a discount of 10% on Dark Spectrum tickets. If you wish to buy more than 20 tickets for a group, please contact Ticketek online or call 1300 364001.

If I book the wrong date, can I transfer my ticket to another date?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. It is important to make sure that you choose the right date and time slot when you buy tickets, as we are not able to offer exchanges or refunds after tickets have been purchased.

If I am delayed and miss my timeslot, can I join a later slot?

We may not be able to guarantee entry if you do not show up at the time indicated on your ticket. Please give yourself enough time to arrive and check in for the event. If you do arrive late, we may ask you to wait until we can accommodate you.

Should I arrive in advance of my visit time?

It is best not to arrive more than 15 minutes before the entrance time printed on your ticket. Your entry time is a 15-minute window from the time printed on your ticket.

We advise allowing for 60 minutes within Dark Spectrum, in order to experience it properly.

Last entry into the tunnels will be allowed 10 minutes after the final advertised time slot. The event will close 60 minutes after the final advertised time slot.

Will there be car parking available?

No, there is no specific parking for the event. We recommend you check with local authorities or use a map finding service to find the best option for you. There is also no designated bike parking for Dark Spectrum at Wynyard Park or inside Wynyard Train Station. We recommend using public transport.

Will there be a cloak room?

There will not be a cloakroom available, please travel light. We do advise you to dress warmly when attending Dark Spectrum. Whilst the event is not exposed to the elements, temperatures inside the tunnels will be similar to those outside.

Will the event be wheelchair accessible?

While every effort is made to make the event fully accessible, the landscape within the tunnel covers some difficult terrain with a number of varying gradients. These areas can be particularly challenging and wheelchair users may require assistance.

Are strollers allowed?

No. For safety reasons, strollers or prams are not permitted onto the Dark Spectrum route. There will not be a designated area to store strollers or prams at the event.

Are pets allowed?

No, except for service animals. However, please note that Dark Spectrum is filled with stimulus that could upset animals. There will be flashing lights, loud noises, and many people.

Can I take pictures?

Absolutely, and we would love you to share them! Be sure to use hashtags #DarkSpectrum, #VividSydney and #SonyMusic and tag @vividsydney. For safety reasons no tripods or monopods will be allowed.

Is there white strobe lighting or flashing lighting effects?

Some lighting sequences will include flashing, flickering and patterned effects, however there will be no strobe lighting.

Is the event suitable for those with sensory sensitivity?

Guests with sensory sensitivity are welcome in Dark Spectrum at any time, however, please note that the event is a light and sound show that will be loud in some spaces and will include flashing, flickering and patterned lighting effects.

We expect the event to attract a large audience at peak times and would advise visiting on weekdays before 2pm should you wish to avoid larger crowds.

Will smoke or haze effects be used?

Smoke and haze effects may be used in some areas of the trail.

Sony Music

Leading events promoter, RGL (Raymond Gubbay Limited), a division of Sony Music Entertainment, has been delivering illuminated trails and live events for over ten years. RGL are the chosen partners for national and international heritage and prestigious venues including The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, botanic gardens around the US as well as Parc Floral in Paris and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Each trail is designed specifically to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location, so no two trails are ever the same. www.raymondgubbay.co.uk | FB @raymondgubbayltd | Twitter @raymondgubbay

Culture Creative:

Culture Creative is a creative project and production management company based in the UK. The Company works across a wide range of cultural fields including art, sport, heritage, tourism, festivals and events, developing projects from concept to delivery. Since 2013 Culture Creative has worked closely with leading entertainment promoter Raymond Gubbay Ltd. a division of Sony Music, to create winter light trails at various venues worldwide including Kew Gardens, London and Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York. www.culturecreative.co.uk | FB and Insta @culturecreativeltd | Twitter @CCLCreative

Mandylights

Mandylights is an international award-winning lighting and visual design firm with offices in Australia and the United Kingdom. The multi-disciplinary team of nearly forty staff has designed concert tours, special events, immersive experiences and light artworks in over sixty-five countries. At home in Sydney, Mandylights has created some of Vivid Sydney's most memorable lighting installations, including last year's Convergence on The Goods Line and the inspiring Winter Cathedral in The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - not to mention their stunning illumination of the Harbour Bridge and city for 2022's Our Connected City. Mandylights have also illuminated Floriade NightFest, the permanent lighting display of the Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and delivered global tours for artists including 5 Seconds of Summer, Ricky Martin, The Backstreet Boys and Pnau.