Sensational underwater museum opened on the Great Barrier Reef

Only divers and snorkelers can visit this new attraction: the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) on the Great Barrier Reef, the first underwater museum in the southern hemisphere, has just opened. As of now, more than 20 “reef guardian sculptures” and other works of art at a depth of ten to 18 meters are waiting on the sandy seabed of the sheltered John Brewer Reef off the northeast coast of Australia – around 70 kilometers from Townsville.

The artworks are made of stainless steel, special cement and pH-neutral materials and are intended to offer divers and snorkelers an additional attraction on the Great Barrier Reef. “In addition to the amazing underwater sculptures, you will also see an intact reef with steep walls and beautiful corals and lots of colorful fish,” promises the MOUA.

Jason deCaires Taylor is responsible for the project, which took around four years from idea to implementation: The 46-year-old Briton is one of the world’s leading underwater sculptors and has had works of art off the Bahamas, Grenada for the past ten years , Cancun and installed in the Thames.

Underwater Museum for the Protection of the Great Barrier Reef

The MOUA itself wants to act as a non-profit organization primarily for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, the new underwater works of art should also serve as a habitat for many fish and promote the growth of the corals. In addition, the museum, together with biologists and other scientists, plans to invest in marine research and the education of schoolchildren.

Vacationers can experience underwater art with “Adrenaline Snorkel & Dive” from Townsville and Magnetic Island and “Pro Dive” from Magnetic Island. The catamaran trip to the museum takes two hours, then you spend around four hours on the reef. The prices for the day trip including the MOUA fee are around 150 euros. From 2021, “SeaLink” will also offer museum tours from Townsville.

However, visitors can admire a new work of art dry-footed: deCaires Taylor erected the “Ocean Siren” on the waterfront of Townsville – a solar-powered sculpture that rises four meters from the sea and is equipped with special lighting effects. The color changes reflect the fluctuations in water temperature live: blue means normal, dark red means increased temperature.

The “Ocean Siren” is also a lifelike image of 13-year-old Takoda Johnson – a student from Townsville and descendant of the Wulgurukaba tribe. The Australian Aborigines were involved in all plans right from the start. In the coming years, more underwater sculptures will follow in the area around Townsville in front of Palm Island and Magnetic Island.

Here is the website of the Museum of Underwater Art

Photos: Museum of Underwater Art / Jason deCaires Taylor