Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Cairns Aquarium development set to finally commence

Cairns Aquarium development set to finally commence
August 6, 2015

With the appointment of a main contractor to be announced later this month, construction of the much anticipated Cairns Aquarium is set to begin.

While work on the site of the $50 million attraction began two years ago, a series of setback related to parking issues and a colony of flying foxes on site have delayed the development.

Originally planned to open in July next year, with a detailed design and engineering phase finally completed, the aquarium and research centre gained planning and building approvals from the Cairns City Council in February.

Located in the centre of Cairns, the 7,500 metre² facility will be located in a two storey building designed by Peddle Thorp Architects and Ellik & Partners Architects.

Designed by Peddle Thorp Architects in association with Architects Ellick and Partners, the 10,000 metre² development will be home to more than 5,000 living creatures indigenous to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and surrounding Wet Tropics Rainforests.

Peddle Thorp’s design is made up of a series of ‘tectonic plates’, symbolising the movement of the earth over the centuries and subsequent creation of the Great Barrier Reef and far north of Australia’s tree-covered mountains.

When open, visitors will enter through blue glass atrium angled onto the street, while strategically-placed windows offer passers-by a glimpse into the aquarium.

Among the planned exhibitions are a two million litre Oceanarium, which will be home to Australia’s only school of scalloped hammerhead sharks. Meanwhile, ‘River Monsters’ will be an exhibit housing the freshwater Sawfish and will also be part of a dedicated research program to breed and repopulate the highly endangered species.

Other planned exhibits include exhibitions on reptiles and amphibians, insect and arachnid giants, life in the mangroves, the coral atoll, the dangers of the reef and a guided tour of the life support systems used to power the aquarium. A restaurant serving local produce and indigenous cuisine is also on the menu, complementing the first floor Quay Café.

Another much delayed Cairns attraction, the Adventure Waters waterpark, has also got underway in recent weeks.

7th July 2015 - CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT CAIRNS ADVENTURE WATERS ATTRACTION

18th June 2014 - CAIRNS AQUARIUM CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER

5th August 2013 - WORK UNDERWAY AT CAIRNS AQUARIUM


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Parkequip

Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…

read more

Fitness / Parks / Play / Recreation / Surfaces

 
 

Intelligenz Solutions

Intelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…

read more

Access / Billing / Finance / Marketing / Technology

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Envibe

With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…

read more

Aquatics / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Pricemark Pty Ltd

Pricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry. 

read more

Access

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business