The Gold Coast’s newest dive site Wonder Reef, an innovative fusion of art, science and engineering design, has officially opened.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the experience was out of this world and he can see why this project has divers from all corners of the globe excited.
“It is just an amazing experience – the marine life is as good as what you’ll see at any other dive site. The coral is thriving, and the sculptures are just mesmerising.”
“Renewing our tourism products and attractions is vital if we want to keep our title as Australia’s tourism capital – and believe me this is something special.”
The reef consists of nine giant buoyant reef sculptures, home to hundreds of different marine life species including lobsters, octopus, tropical fish, turtles, and giant gropers.
Coral was planted at the site in late 2021 and has created a colourful experience on the reef where locals and tourists can dive to a depth of 30 metres – all within a 10-minute boat trip from the Gold Coast Seaway.
The Wonder Reef ecotourism attraction is the world’s first buoyant reef and adds to the 10 other dive sites located on the Gold Coast Dive Trail.
Wonder Reef has been created with the natural environment in mind and will inspire a greater appreciation of the environment as it evolves into a significant marine habitat.
The project is a joint initiative between City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government.