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The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) continues to work with the Government to deliver the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, the National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef.
Substantial work on the project is occurring behind the scenes. This includes the development of detailed designs featuring engineering and architectural innovation, durability, and creativity worthy of the World Heritage Area.
Concurrently, comprehensive planning and collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science has been undertaken to temporarily house rock, sand, fish, invertebrates, and coral from the coral reef exhibit and other tanks to systems within the National Sea Simulator.
The relocation of fish and coral is being conducted meticulously to ensure the highest standards of animal husbandry and animal welfare.
We wish to thank the Queensland community for its support for this beloved facility and look forward to providing project updates in due course.
The 37-year-old Aquarium has not been demolished. Adjacent buildings located on the former Wonderland site, including the IMAX Theatre, office space, and the Cultural Centre, were removed in preparation for capital works to occur.
Majority of our animals have been relocated to other facilities and our partners across Queensland. Of course, the welfare of our animals and people working at the Aquarium remain our top priority. This means, any temporary rehoming of animals may shift into permanent relocations if it’s in the best interest of the animals.
Planning of the early works began more than 18 months before the closure. The delivering of this work was complex with many projects interlinked, and timeframes reliant on specific projects needed to be completed prior to delivering tasks in another project area.
Since closing we have been destocking the facility, improving visitor access which has required meticulous planning and logistics that could not be rushed.
Learn more about our plans to rebuild the Aquarium here.
The Reef Authority’s education team are hosting regular conferences with local schools, nationally and internationally.
We continue to offer an extensive range of educational resources and programs, so everyone has access to information on how they can See the Reef, Love the Reef and Protect the Reef.
Please visit our new ReefEd portal to access some of the terrific education materials we have available.
The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is the Australian Government’s National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef and is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority). For more information see here.
During our temporary transformation closure we will reinvigorate our membership program. Follow our social media channels and check the website for updates closer to our reopening.
We are very proud of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and we know you are too. Share some of your favourite memories with us on social media by using #greatbarrierreefaquairum and tagging us on Facebook or Instagram (@greatbarrierreefaquarium).
If you’re looking for content for a documentary or news piece, then we’d love to hear from you. As we are closed for transformation works, we may be able to conduct interviews offsite and provide footage to complement stories.
We have some great stories to tell:
Turtle Hospital: Since opening in 2009 we have cared for more than 255 patients. Patients have been admitted suffering from boat strikes, marine plastic ingestion, fishing hook ingestion, floatation syndrome due to other unknown blockages, malnourishment, among other injuries.
Leopard sharks: Our Leopard Sharks are world famous after it was confirmed they were giving birth without a male, after previously mating in the usual way. This process is called parthenogenesis.
Olive Sea Snakes: For two consistent years our olive sea snakes gave birth. From what we can determine, this is the first known case of captive breeding of olive sea snakes. Two of the first litter born are now housed at Cairns Aquarium, with the rest of the sisters on display at Reef HQ Aquarium.
If you are a member of the media and are interested in learning more about the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium please contact the Reef Authority media team on (07) 4750 0846 or email media@gbrmpa.gov.au.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority acknowledges the expertise, wisdom, and enduring connections that have informed the guardianship of the Reef for millennia. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners as the first managers of this land and sea Country, and value their traditional knowledge which continues to inform the current management and stewardship of the Reef for future generations. We pay our respects to the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba Traditional Owners on whose land the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is situated on. We acknowledge their connection to Country and are honoured to be collaborating with the Gurambilbarra Wulgurukaba community to co-design exhibits highlighting culture values and connections to sea Country.
