When we heard about SENSAS, the multi-sensory experience in Melbourne’s South Yarra, we knew we had to get the team together for a visit. 75 min later, we walked out laughing, slightly disoriented, and genuinely impressed by how cleverly the whole journey is put together. SENSAS is built around a simple idea: take away one sense at a time and see how people adapt. Over the course of two hours, we were led through a sequence of immersive rooms designed to test sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Based on how popular SENSAS has been in our city, we knew we’d be in for a fun ride, but we had no idea just how much this sensory experiment would challenge us in ways that bring out the best (and the weirdest) in every team. Read on for our review that’ll have you rushing to grab your friends for a session.
Let us walk you through the experience…
We rocked up at 6 Garden Street a little curious and a lot excited. After checking in, everyone’s mobile phones were tucked away in lockers, a small touch that immediately pushed us into the experience. A quick orientation from our Master of Senses set the tone: teamwork, curiosity, communication—and expect the unexpected.
Our first stop was the Taste Lab. In pitch darkness, we sampled mysterious flavours and had to communicate our guesses with our team. Not as easy as it sounds! It was a hilarious exercise in trying not to accidentally eat something gross, a tiny bit tricky, and a brilliant ice-breaker for what came next… the aromatic Smell Lab. Once again in darkness, our noses had to guide us. Some scents were unmistakable, and others had us scratching our heads as we tried to match them to objects, using both memory and gut instinct to crack the clues.
The Touch Lab got even more tactile. Concentration, laughter, and some incredibly odd textures filled this space as we ran our hands over unknown shapes, deciphered Braille-style clues, and helped each other toward the solution. Next, in the Hearing Lab, sounds from animal noises to random everyday noises became the puzzle. We each took turns mimicking and guessing—it was basically charades on caffeine.
After activating our senses in the labs, we found ourselves in a playful Ball Pit, hunting for objects in the pit while literally swimming in colourful balls. Our final challenge was the Laser Room. Reflexes, agility, timing and a dash of stealth brought out the competitive spirit in all of us as we weaved, ducked and lunged to complete the task. The last treat to tie off the experience was the Anti-Gravity Room, a photo zone that literally messes with your perception. Think mind-bending angles, gravity-defying poses, and the perfect way to commemorate the night with fun photos.
Why SENSAS stuck with us
What makes SENSAS more than just a game is how inclusive and connective it feels. Whether you’re with friends, family, work colleagues or even people you just met that day, everyone’s input matters, especially when you can’t see what’s going on. The challenges encourage teamwork, laughter, a bit of healthy panic (looking at you, Laser Room). Oh, and there’s a feel-good factor too: every charm you earn during the journey turns into a real donation to a local disability charity. It gave us a sense of purpose alongside all the fun.
So if you’re looking for something in Melbourne that’s completely different from the usual outings, fun with a group, weirdly thought-provoking, genuinely hilarious, and a little bit heartwarming, SENSAS is a must-try. Book it for your next birthday, team catch-up, family day or just because. Go in with an open mind, bring your quirkiest friends, and prepare to discover senses you never knew you had.