Where mayhem, joy and laughter are the order of the day

We believe that play is the work of children. While sick kids often experience a very adult world of stress and trauma, play is the powerful force essential to developing resilience, wellbeing and a sense of normality.

Our Starlight Express Rooms are a medical-free haven for sick kids and their families seeking a welcome break from the relentless cycle of medical treatments and procedures. It's the place we get down to the serious business of having fun!

Illness shouldn't define a child, so our Starlight Express Rooms are medical free zones - no treatments or medical talk are allowed.

Run by Captain Starlight and our wonderful volunteers, our Starlight Express Rooms are unique spaces filled with laughter, smiles, fun people and enjoyable activities.

On top of all the live action play, families can enjoy the latest in gaming consoles or kick back and watch a movie together. They can join Captain Starlight in a musical jam session, have their face painted, watch a live magic show, make balloon animals, paint, paste and create amazing crafts or just clown around and have fun.

It's their choice.

For kids too sick to leave their beds, Starlight TV delivers all the antics and fun of the Starlight Express Room live to their bedside daily. Captain Starlight also works with doctors and nurses on the wards bringing smiles to young faces everywhere.

Royal Children's Hospital Starlight Express Room full room shot

At night, the Starlight Express Room transforms into a teen-only hang out space, where our Livewire facilitators offer inspiring skills-based workshops that encourage creative expression.

There's a Starlight Express Room in every children's hospital in Australia. We need to keep our doors open 7 days a week, 365 days a year so we're there when sick kids and their families need us the most.

Starlight Express Rooms found in these hospitals

Childrens Hospital Westmead

Western Sydney, NSW

The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Sydney Childrens Hospital Randwick

Sydney, NSW

Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick

John Hunter Childrens Hospital

Newcastle, NSW

John Hunter Children's Hospital

Queensland Children's Hospital Brisbane

Brisbane, QLD

Queensland Children's Hospital

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne

Melbourne, VIC

The Royal Children's Hospital

Monash Childrens Hospital Melbourne

Melbourne, VIC

Monash Children's Hospital

Women and Childrens hospital Adelaide

Adelaide, SA

Women's and Children's Hospital

Perth Childrens hospital

Perth, WA

Perth Children's Hospital

Royal Darwin hospital

Darwin, NT

Royal Darwin Hospital