After captivating almost 140,000 visitors during its run in Brisbane and Perth, Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ world-renowned exhibition BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness is heading to Melbourne’s District Docklands for a limited time this March.
Developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination, and curated by physician and designer Dr. Angelina Whalley, this special edition offers a unique exploration of the human body, emotions, and what it means to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
Having drawn more than 57 million visitors in over 170 cities worldwide, and gaining a 4.7/5 star rating, BODY WORLDS presents human specimens donated and preserved through the groundbreaking plastination process. This unique act of donation for the purpose of public education in health and science allows the exhibition to present the human anatomy with authenticity and emotional depth.
The exhibition offers science-backed insight into how emotions such as joy, love, fear, and stress visibly manifest in the body and affect long-term health. It invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on their lives, their choices, and their capacity for resilience and well-being.
The experience includes:
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Exhibits of the human body, shown in motion and at rest, illustrating the complexity and resilience of the human form
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Understanding brain health, where diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are explored through plastinates, brain scans, and multimedia presentations
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Side-by-side displays of healthy and diseased organs, revealing the profound impact of lifestyle and emotional well-being
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Interactive elements including the Anatomical Mirror, where guests can visualise where vital organs are positioned in their own body
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A documentary photo series, 100 Years of Life, showcasing longevity and healthy ageing
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Save Your Spine display, offering ergonomic advice for everyday movement
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Infographics and health insights throughout the exhibition providing accessible, research-based information
“Through plastination, we’re able to present the human body in a memorable and beautiful way so that people can learn about anatomy, disease, and mental health,” says Dr. Angelina Whalley. “What it uncovers is truly fascinating, and we’ve seen visitors around the world leave with a new motivation to live more consciously.”
Visitors are invited on a fascinating journey into the anatomy of happiness - how our choices, emotions, and environment shape both mental and physical health. At its heart, BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness celebrates the profound connection between body and mind and challenges us to care for both.
All specimens displayed in BODY WORLDS have been willed by donors to be used for scientific purposes and to increase public awareness of medicine, health, and fitness. Official BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the only ones to rely on an established body donation programme. To date, more than 23,000 donors around the world (including Australia) have bequeathed their bodies to Dr. von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination after death.
Waitlist now open: HERE
Tickets to go on sale Thursday February 19th, 7pm HERE
DETAILS
Location: Level 1/116 Studio Lane, Docklands VIC, Australia
Dates: Various sessions from March 2026
Tickets prices: from $34 for adults and $20 for children
Hi-res assets: HERE
About us:
ABOUT BODY WORLDS
BODY WORLDS is a groundbreaking exhibition that offers an in-depth exploration of human anatomy, physiology, and organ function, making this knowledge accessible to a broad audience. Since its debut in Japan in 1995, it has attracted over 57 million visitors across approximately 170 cities worldwide, making it one of the most successful exhibitions globally. At its core is a collection of real human specimens preserved through the process of plastination - an innovative technique developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, who co-created the exhibition with Dr. Angelina Whalley. These authentic specimens, including entire bodies, individual organs, and transparent body slices, allow for a powerful and educational experience that compares healthy and diseased organs, explains medical conditions, and demonstrates the effects of lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, or exercise. The authenticity of the plastinates creates a deeply personal and impactful encounter, fostering a greater appreciation for the human body. Surveys show that many visitors adopt healthier habits after attending, with notable increases in fitness, healthier eating, and smoking cessation. BODY WORLDS not only enhances public understanding of health and anatomy but also inspires careers in medicine and contributes meaningfully to public health education. Learn more about plastination at bodyworlds.com/plastination.
ABOUT MUSE MARKETING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Muse Marketing and Entertainment is established by one of the most globally experienced teams with the aim of becoming the most preferred entertainment company in the world. With more than 25 years of international experience, Muse offers all the skills for developing and executing a versatile range of entertainment projects mainly focusing on exhibitions, live and family entertainment. Along with “The Art of Banksy Without Limits”, Muse has several running exhibition projects across Europe, USA, South America and Asia Pacific.
ABOUT FEVER
Fever is the world’s leading tech platform for discovering culture and live entertainment, inspiring over 300 million people last year to discover the best experiences in over 40 countries. With a mission to democratise access to culture and entertainment in real life, Fever inspires users to enjoy unique experiences and events —from immersive exhibitions and sports to interactive theatrical performances, concerts, and festivals— while empowering its partners with data and technology to develop and expand new experiences worldwide.
Contact details:
Jessie Dalgleish
