After drawing almost 140,000 visitors in Brisbane and Perth, BODY WORLDS: The Anatomy of Happiness is heading to Melbourne for a limited season at The District Docklands this March.
Created by Dr. Gunther von Hagens, the inventor of plastination, and curated by physician and designer Dr. Angelina Whalley, the exhibition explores the human body through the lens of emotion, health and wellbeing. It has already welcomed more than 57 million visitors across 170 cities worldwide, earning a strong global following.
Using real human specimens donated for scientific and educational purposes, BODY WORLDS offers an up-close look at anatomy through the plastination process. The exhibition examines how emotions such as joy, love, fear and stress physically manifest in the body and influence long-term health outcomes.
Visitors can expect full-body displays shown in motion and at rest, side-by-side comparisons of healthy and diseased organs, and dedicated sections on brain health exploring conditions including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Interactive elements such as the Anatomical Mirror allow guests to visualise the position of their own vital organs, while the Save Your Spine display offers practical ergonomic advice.
A documentary photo series titled 100 Years of Life highlights longevity and healthy ageing, complemented by infographics and accessible health insights throughout the space.
“Through plastination, we’re able to present the human body in a memorable and beautiful way so that people can learn about anatomy, disease, and mental health,” says Dr. Angelina Whalley. “What it uncovers is truly fascinating, and we’ve seen visitors around the world leave with a new motivation to live more consciously.”
All specimens have been willed by donors through an established body donation program.
Tickets to the Melbourne exhibition go on sale from 7pm on Thursday 19 February 2026.
