Use your mobile to rediscover hidden Melbourne gems and overlooked city spaces through a QR-based scavenger hunt, as part of the State of Design Festival.

QRioCity is the inventive work of a team led by RMIT University landscape architects and urban researchers, who have uncovered inner-urban spaces ripe for rethinking and created a networked trail of weird and wonderful twists.

The hunt was officially launched last week at RMIT’s Alumni Courtyard.

Treasure hunters can find QR (Quick Response) codes in posters, stickers and 3D objects around the CBD, with the RMIT precinct and Queen Victoria Market key locations for clue spotting.

Dr Marieluise Jonas, a Lecturer in RMIT’s School of Architecture and Design, said the designers of the QR codes had opened up possibilities for discovery and new encounters while enabling players to engage with the city on ground level.

"Through the taping of QR codes, players can instantly access online information such as stories, riddles and hints about the selected objects," Dr Jonas said.

"Exploring the trail gives people the chance to learn stories of hidden Melbourne, of past and future events.

"QRioCity changes the way we understand our environment and offers the chance to explore old worlds in new ways."

To Play QRioCity:

1. Download a FREE QR code reader for your mobile phone. For iPhones, go to the appstore and get the free i-nigma QR code reader or download the reader for other smartphones.
2. Look for QR codes in posters, stickers, 3D objects, and decode their hidden messages.
3. Visit the QRioCity Google Map for location details.

The QR codes can be found around the CBD, including at the Queen Victoria Market.

The scavenger hunt rethinks and reimagines a range of inner-urban spaces.

Source: RMIT University http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=d1gwefjv7vwb1;STATUS=A