Our Story, So Far

The Central Highland Science Centre (CHSC) is recognised as the most remote, non-government funded, not-for-profit science centre in Australia but after twenty-five years it was time re-brand to the OUTBACK EXPLORATORIUM, a fully functioning STEAM Lab, Discovery Space and retail ‘Nest, we are excited for our STEAM future and all we can provide for our community.

For more than two decades, we have offered engaging, inspiring and relevant experiences that foster a lifelong curiosity and positive attitude towards STEAM to people living in rural and regional Queensland. We directly engage more than 5000 regional Queenslanders in STEAM every year. We deliver an innovative and inclusive out-of-school hours Science Squad and Curiosity Club program for primary and kindergarten children, run community science events, open days and host school visits as well as operate a discovery museum.

The opportunity for rural children to extend themselves academically is rare. Science enrichment is particularly valuable as we hope many of our children will follow STEAM career pathways in the future and bring their knowledge and skills back to rural and regional areas.

Our organisation’s social contribution is to foster a love of scientific learning and allows every child to experience educational success in a fun, practical and exciting informal environment.

The success of our organisation is thanks to collaborative partnerships between the corporate and business sectors, philanthropic foundations