Travellers who are curious about travelling to Australia can now experience a series of immersive 360° videos shot at places like Uluru, Hamilton Island and Sydney Harbour.

The Qantas VR app is among the first to leverage Start VR’s proprietary Startgate VR publishing platform which is quickly becoming the standard tool for brands and content creators to build their own virtual reality experiences.

The app is available now for iOS, Android and the virtual reality platforms of Samsung Gear VR, the Oculus Rift (soon) and HTC Vive (soon).

The application is designed to work for all smartphone users with a a built in VR mode for switching between 2D “Magic Window” and a 3D mode for VR headsets.

A unique ‘Book Now’ button takes the user straight to the appropriate flight booking details page as the primary call to action.

Qantas first offered virtual reality to customers last year, trialling an industry-first virtual reality experience with Samsung Gear VR headsets in its First-Class cabin and Lounges. Videos explore areas such as Kakadu National Park and the Field of Light at Uluru (above), the Harbour Bridge Climb and Sydney Harbour, helicopters over Northern Territory (below) and Hamilton Island Escape in Queensland.

Qantas Group executive brand, marketing, corporate affairs, Olivia Wirth, said the app is an innovative way for travellers to plan their trip to Australia.

“Our aim with the new virtual reality app is to connect with travellers by showcasing parts of Australia they may not be familiar with.

“Customers loved our trial of VR headsets last year, but we wanted to take it to another level and make it more accessible. Anyone with an iPhone or Android phone can take a virtual tour of Kakadu National Park, for instance, then book a flight directly from the app and see it in person,” she said.

Kain Tietzel, CEO, Start VR, added, “For the first time, we are able to share the story of Australia to an international audience in a way that is more intimate, engaging and interactive than we have been able to tell it before.

“The amazing audio and visuals offer international travellers to Australia a new insight into our culture, heritage and local stories. New videos will be released every month offering audiences with a steady flow of incredible travel content.”