Reef HQ

Reef HQ
Reef HQ main entrance, 2015
Interactive map of Reef HQ
19°15′28″S 146°49′26″E / 19.2577°S 146.8238°E / -19.2577; 146.8238
Date opened14 June 1987; 39 years ago (1987-06-14)
Date closed2021 (demolition of the existing aquarium scheduled for late 2026 before construction begins to deliver a new aquarium by 2029)
LocationTownsville, Queensland,  Australia
Volume of largest tank
2,600,000 L (up to 3 million lt after water intake)
Annual visitors100,000
OwnerGreat Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Websitewww.reefhq.com.au

Reef HQ (also known ReefHQ or Great Barrier Reef Aquarium) was the world's largest living coral reef aquarium located in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The aquarium was built as a Bicentennial Commemorative project and was a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). The Coral Reef Exhibit had 130 coral species and 120 fish species along with hundreds of species of sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, feather stars, snails, worms and sponges. The aquarium also included a turtle hospital which rehabilitates sea turtles for release back into the wild.

Reef HQ closed in 2021, with demolition of the existing aquarium scheduled for late 2026 before construction begins to deliver a new aquarium by 2029.

History

Reef HQ was originally the vision of Dr Graeme Kelleher, a former chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Dr Kelleher's primary objective was to bring the marine environment onto the land and make it easily accessible to the public whilst also encouraging the public to help protect the reef.

Reef HQ was originally known as Great Barrier Reef Aquarium when it opened on 14 June 1987. The aquarium was renamed "Reef HQ" in 1999. In 2009, the name of the aquarium was changed to reflect its original name.

The turtle hospital opened on 24 August 2009, which was partially funded by over $60,000 of community donations. It was the first hospital in north Queensland specifically for turtle rehabilitation and this has provided significant educational opportunities for veterinary and marine science students, notably those from James Cook University.

In 2021, Reef HQ closed for refurbishment, but after a detailed inspection it was decided to demolish it entirely and build a new aquarium at the site. Most of the aquarium's inhabitants were rehomed at other public aquariums and facilities.

In January 2026, demolition of the existing aquarium was slated to begin in late 2026 before construction begins to deliver a new aquarium by 2029.

Description

Three of a series of five tropical aquariums mounted in a single large room aquarium, located at the entrance of Reef HQ

Reef HQ included the Coral Reef Exhibit, a Predator Exhibit, a children's section, a gift shop and cafe. In 2006, Reef HQ opened new 'Exploring our Wetlands' interactive kiosks developed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Location

Reef HQ was located in the same complex as the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Centre and an IMAX theatre in the Central Business District. Over 110,000 visitors toured Reef HQ every year.

Coral Reef Exhibit

Water motion was created in the Coral Reef Exhibit by a pneumatic wave machine. Unusually, the aquarium was open to the weather, receiving precipitation, sun- and moonlight, just like natural coral reefs. The tank held approximately 2.5 million litres of water.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 HQ, Reef. "About Us". www.reefhq.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Chomicki, Chloe (22 January 2026). "Inside the delayed rebuild of world's largest living coral reef aquarium". ABC News. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 HQ, Reef. "Home". www.reefhq.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Reef HQ Townsville aquarium to be demolished as Reef Authority scraps refurbishment". ABC News. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Far north aquarium opens turtle hospital". ABC News. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Sinclair, Shirley (10 November 2010). "Behind the scenes at turtle hospital: JOY and heartbreak swim side by side at Reef HQ Aquarium's fledgling turtle hospital in Townsville". The Courier-Mail.
  7. ↑ "Reef HQ begins rehoming dozens of fish ahead of scheduled aquarium upgrades". ABC News. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "environment.gov.au". Archived from the original on 16 February 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2019.