Haven Gallery turns the traditional idea of an art gallery inside out. Rather than moving quietly from artwork to artwork, visitors are encouraged to touch, move, listen, experiment and become part of what unfolds around them.

The former Byron Bay Woolworths building has been reimagined as a multisensory playground where physical installations meet projection, digital technology, sculpture, sound and light. Lie back beneath atmospheric films inside the 360-degree cinema dome, use your hands to bring digital artworks to life or step into projection-mapped environments where your own movement becomes part of the piece.

Then there is Haven City. Covering around 200 square metres, this extraordinary indoor streetscape takes inspiration from the atmospheric urban worlds of science fiction, creating a richly detailed environment of laneways, light and visual surprises that visitors can wander through and explore.

Haven is designed for curiosity rather than a particular kind of art audience. Families, couples, travellers, children and serious art lovers can experience the space at their own pace, with most visits lasting around an hour and no fixed time limit once inside.

The gallery also continues to evolve. Exhibitions are joined by performances, workshops, drawing sessions, markets and creative events, while local, national and international artists contribute new work and ideas throughout the year.

It's immersive without isolating people behind headsets, interactive without feeling like a conventional attraction, and artistic without demanding that visitors already understand contemporary art.

At Haven, looking is only the beginning, the real experience comes from stepping inside and playing.