Reflections of 2025 – The year that was for the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium

2025 has proven to be a progressive year for the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, with several project milestones achieved, propelling the redevelopment forward, ensuring Australia’s national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef is on track to reopen in 2029.  

As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back and celebrate the stepping stones both large and small that are collectively paving the way forward for the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium —  where conservation, community, and cutting-edge design unite to deliver a reimagined facility worthy of representing the iconic Great Barrier Reef. 

Making Waves Behind the Scenes  

Our project team have been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes. Geotechnical investigations took priority with specialist teams assessing the ground beneath the current facility to ensure a safe and structurally sound foundation for future construction. This essential groundwork was complemented by other preliminary works including engineering assessments of how best to reuse existing foundation piles — this action aimed to support environmental responsibility in the redevelopment and smart engineering to achieve budget efficiencies wherever possible. By understanding the current facility and the land it stands on before major construction works commence, we can direct more funding into immersive customer experiences that showcase the magic of the Great Barrier Reef.   

Innovative thinking has been a recurring theme across the early works, with wave machine testing and analysis taking place in the 2.5 million litre Coral Reef Exhibit in collaboration with Marine Geophysics Lab from James Cook University. The purpose was to ensure we can replicate wave and tidal movement in what will be the world’s largest living coral reef exhibit, providing optimal conditions for both fish and corals to thrive.  

Sharing Memories  

Throughout the year, we turned to our greatest supporters, you, the community, inviting everyone to share memories, favourite stories, and most importantly — ideas for what they want to see and experience in the new Aquarium. The response has been extraordinary, with many people sharing their ideas of what could be, ranging from imaginative suggestions for immersive habitats and interactive learning spaces, to touching recollections of intergenerational family memories. This feedback, along with our extensive national market research, now forms an invaluable part of finalising designers, ensuring the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium will be recognised globally for the exceptional experiences it offers and as a destination of excellence in tropical reef education. 

It was amazing to share with you the mammoth logistical mission that took place to relocate the Aquarium’s many longstanding inhabitants (watch the Marine Life on the Move video here). Between 2020 and 2024, our expert aquarists prepared for and managed the meticulous move of large animals, hundreds of fish and decades old corals to partner organisations across Queensland, such as Sea World Gold Coast and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. The relocation project was a significant undertaking for the team, as every detail of the animal’s journey from one home to another was thought of and executed with precision and care to safeguard their wellbeing.  

The story of this unique mission captured Australia’s attention and was shared across millions of devices and media channels around the country, as well as making it to Japan and France reaching approximately 40 million people!  

Imaginative Design and Forward-Thinking Planning 

Arguably the most exciting milestone achieved this year was the release of an Expression of Interest for 16 Service Packages to attract world-class construction partners ahead of the formal tendering process scheduled for 2026. 

This proactive step stirred excitement within the industry and set the tone for a transparent and innovative procurement process to enable small, medium and large enterprises from near and far, the opportunity to be involved in what could be considered, one of Townsville’s most exciting development projects of recent years. 

Preparing for the Next Giant Leap 

A major highlight saw the completion of a detailed project proposal prepared and formally submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, a federal joint committee which examines and reports on public works projects proposed by the government to ensure accountability and transparency of government spending.  

This proposal paves the way for the Reef Authority to obtain approval to invest tax-payer funding into the capital works project. Sharing our proposed works, not only maintains project transparency, but ensures that every detail fits both the Government’s vision for the facility and Townsville’s desires for sustainable and impactful growth with long-term benefits for its residents. 

If 2025 was about setting the stage, then 2026 will be about bold action: major works are slated to commence, and soon cranes will grace the skyline — a very welcomed site for residents and the city at large. 

Looking Forward: Economic Impact and Community Benefits 

The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium was first opened in 1987 as a bi-centennial community project to create a living example of a coral reef on land, a place to showcase science and deliver education about marine science, heritage and other Reef values.  

With construction on the horizon, anticipation buzzes throughout the community for the impact of this Project when it opens again in 2029 — only a few years before the world arrives in Queensland for Brisbane 2032 Olympics.  

The economic impact of this multi-year project is expected to be significant, bringing hundreds of jobs, stimulating local business, and positioning North Queensland as a must-see destination thanks to the Aquarium — a globally renowned tourism attraction for all the world to experience and enjoy. 

As we wrap up this year-in-review, it’s clear: this redevelopment is about more than new buildings. It’s a future-forward promise, celebrating heritage, innovation, collective aspiration and above all else the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Thanks to the passion and collaboration of staff, community members, and leaders, the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is well on its way to a bright and inspiring new chapter. 

Here’s to an extraordinary 2026 and to witnessing the next phase of transformation together.