DigiMacQ Tour

Call me crazy, but one o’ the things I love about History is that you have to work for every bit of knowledge you have of it. There is no transmission via osmosis or birthright. So it matters not that I was born in Parra with deep ancestral roots here or that I’m an out ‘n’ proud History buff; knowledge of the history of my immediate locale is something I have to deliberately and actively seek out. Luckily for me, I live in one of the most historical parts of Sydney where so many of the old heritage sites from the earliest days of the colony remain and where Parramatta City Council has maintained a strong grip on the past.
This self-​guided historical walking tour app, «DigiMacq: Parramatta and the Spirit of Lachlan Macquarie» (downloadable via iTunes) is one of the heritage projects the council has backed in recent years. The tour really is the «high-​spirited multimedia adventure» it claims to be. Full colour historical paintings and maps suddenly become animated and are accompanied by lively voiceovers by professional actors performing a primary-​source based script in various accents (who doesn’t smirk when they hear a Scottish ahhhkkkccent, eh?). You’ll also hear sound effects such as horse’s hooves, thunder, rain and fire, and lush orchestral music (even some bagpipes and a didgeridoo!) as well as a narrator who is easy on the ears. In fact, the narrator sounds a lot like the CityRail lady. It might actually be her. If so, there’s a comfort to be had in knowing that someone who successfully gets me from A to B on the train is potentially leading me around on this tour, too.
The second I opened this app I thought, «Wow, what an amazing resource for History teachers!» Not only would students find it entertaining, it ticks all the boxes in terms of multimodality and interactivity, so it would simultaneously appeal to multiple learning styles all whilst getting kids active and enjoying the open air. And the app is like J. Lo’s love: it don’t cost a thing!
The sites you stop at along the way include the Tudor Gatehouse on George Street at Parramatta Park, Old Government House, Brislington House, The Red Cow Inn, and St John’s Cathedral. But there are other places of historical interest you come across that aren’t part of the tour, including the Lady Fitzroy Memorial near the Tudor Gatehouse as well as various gardens and signs containing general information about Parramatta Park: the old governor’s domain. While it is very much about the specific sites in the app, the connection between what was going on in Britain and what was afoot in the colony is also made clear. And despite not overwhelming the listener at any stage with an unwieldy amount of content, you realise they have successfully showcased a whole range of historical experiences; from the elites such as the self-​made man Governor Macquarie, the Marquess of Londonderry, and a French cartographer, to crafty cons, female voices e.g. Elizabeth Macquarie, children, aboriginal people and a well-​shifty con with a history of violence and theft named «Mr. ‘odges.»
A WEE /​MASSIVE GLITCH:
The tour is supposed to last around 45 minutes with short walks in between stops but it took longer for me. As high-​tech and dynamic as the app itself is, it isn’t entirely self-​contained. When I selected the option at the start of the tour to use my current location, it went into the version of the app that has the tourist performing a scavenger hunt for signage and unlocking clips on the app using symbols on the signs as a passcode. Whilst that is a great idea and adds another interactive element that students would love, the signage needed to unlock the clips on the app couldn’t be located! Uh-​oh! I eventually found some very temporary-​looking signage at stop 4. Given that this app and tour were launched in 2010, the signage on the other stops was obviously not maintained. So unless more permanent signage is installed, you need to use the version of the app that doesn’t use your current location. Attempting to problem-​solve mid-​tour, I discovered that if using the app on an iPhone you could reboot your whole phone to reset the app and select to do the tour without the scavenger hunt for symbols. However, when I tried to do the same on an old iPod Touch, it didn’t work and stayed locked waiting for the right combo of symbols. A «start tour again» button that resets the entire app would have been very useful in that situation!
On the whole, though, a really fantastic tour for students, tourists, and anyone like me who wants to be a tourist in their own city!
TIP: If you don’t have an iPhone or iPod you can hire an iPod Touch from the Parramatta Heritage Centre. If doing so for a large group, though, you have to pre-​book. See their website for details.
*Review originally written and posted 3 April 2014.