Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Townsville, Queensland | Educational research centre

Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4750 0800

Address: 2-68 Flinders Street 4810 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.reefHQ.com.au

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• Arts and entertainment
• Wildlife sanctuary
• Aquarium
• Educational research centre

25.01.2022 Our red-line cleaner shrimp has shed its exo-skeleton just in time for summer. But this isn’t something it’s done to escape the heat. Shrimp shed their exo-skeleton as they grow. Unlike humans whose skeletons are on the inside and grow as we do, a shrimps skeleton is on the outside and it needs to shed and regrow their exo-skeleton as their body gets bigger.

24.01.2022 The world's largest living coral reef aquarium is mesmerising to 'sea' Home to over 150 species of fish and over 120 species of hard and soft corals that call the Great Barrier Reef home, there is always something new to discover in this 2.5million litre exhibit. Built over 33 years ago, it functions as an ecosystem, with the marine life behaviours' mimicking those you witness when visiting the actual Reef. Thank you @nellisaarinen for sharing your sea-sational picture with us.

24.01.2022 This Jack of all trades can be found taking care of the animals that call Reef HQ home and their exhibits. Over the next few weeks you’ll see Connie in a series of upcoming videos about buoyancy Over 5 years at Reef HQ Connie has gained a broad knowledge in not just our animals but in everything related to our animals, including plumbing, electronics, veterinary care, animal training, chemistry and more! She has also had roles in education and marketing, providing her with an overarching view of all our operations. Tune into over the school holidays to see this expert Aquarist share some of her knowledge on all things floating, sinking and hovering.

23.01.2022 Tomorrow is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! "Ahoy, me hearties!" is a pirate’s favourite way to say "G'day mate" Thinking of sailing into Reef HQ to say ahoy and try your hand at some pirate phrases? Remember to book in before you set sail ... If your desired session is booked out online, you’re welcome to sail into Reef HQ as a walk-in an hour after the session has begun as we may be able to fit you in! See our session times and make a booking at https://www.trybooking.com/BKEGN

23.01.2022 He doesn't have a hovercraft but this diver can still hover with a little thing called buoyancy control! Watch the video to learn how divers can control if they are negatively or positively buoyant and how they achieve the ideal, neutral buoyancy or hovering.

21.01.2022 It’s go for a ride day today Here's one sweet ride!! Most mornings you can spot David making his way to Reef HQ Aquarium on his penny farthing. Popular in the 1880s, this penny farthing isn’t just fun to ride and a spectacle to see, it also helps David keep fit and reduce his carbon footprint. ... You can reduce your own carbon footprint by choosing to: Ride, walk, carpool or use public transport Use vehicles with improved fuel efficiency

21.01.2022 It's of-fish-ally Sea Week A week to encourage the appre-sea-ation of the sea There is a rich and diverse world underwater and with oceans making up over 70% of the earth, there’s a lot to see under the sea. From the world's largest animal, the blue whale to some of the smallest organisms, phytoplankton, the ocean is home to so many amazing wonders.... What’s your favourite thing about the sea? ( Here's a sneak peek from inside our coral reef exhibit)

20.01.2022 Happy birthday to Cairns Aquarium who are celebrating their third year! We collaborated with Cairns Aquarium a few years ago, delivering two baby olive seasnakes who were born and reared at Reef HQ through our captive breeding program. Animal exchange between aquariums is common practice and is essential to managing the gene pool of captive populations while also reducing the impact on wild populations. Here is a short video of our sea snakes when they were delivered to Cairns Aquarium in 2018 and were exploring their new home

19.01.2022 See the reef shine bright under UV light for this year's Reef by Night inspired Members' Christmas Party 5:30pm - 7:30pm on Friday, 11th December. Entry includes a seasnack dinner pack and some sea-rious fun with Pinky's disco, face painting and a visit from Lucky T Turtle.... Visit https://bit.ly/3pU5Xjh for ticket prices and booking links.

18.01.2022 Our green tree frog was spotted hanging onto the glass of its enclosure Sadly days like today, National Threatened Species Day, reminds us that many species are hanging on for their survival. Some Reef favourites that have populations threatened globally, include:... Zebra Sharks, known as a leopard shark in Australia are endangered Napolean Wrasse are endangered Green Sea Turtles are endangered Dugongs are vulnerable Human impacts play a large role on the health of the Reef and the animals that live there. Reduce your impact on the Great Barrier Reef by using less energy, being responsible when out on the reef and by taking steps to reduce, reuse and recycle waste and by refusing single use plastics. Lean more about what you can do at https://bit.ly/3gbiWYu

18.01.2022 It's Sustainable House Day and this clownfish has a super sustainable place to call home. Clownfish have a symbiotic relationship with anemones meaning they have a mutually beneficial life together. Anemones provide a safe place for clownfish to live. In return clownfish clean the anemone, provide nutrients in the form of waste and work hard to keep anemones safe from predators, such as butterflyfish that can eat the tentacles of an anemone. This picture captures the anemone when it's closed, which usually occurs at night.

17.01.2022 Sea urchins play an important role in coral biodiversity; they clean rocks around coral reefs, giving juvenile coral a clean place to settle and grow Sea urchins are not only found cleaning around coral reefs, these diverse animals can be found in most habitats on the Great Barrier Reef; with over 100 species found between shallow waters or the deep sea. At Reef HQ you can spy long-spine sea urchins, boring sea urchin (as it bores into the reef) and decorator sea urchins.

16.01.2022 Ever wondered who sticks their neck out most around Reef HQ? Well it’s definitely the eastern long neck turtle. This little turtle can be found in the freshwater crocodile exhibit near the cafe, but you can also spot turtles just like him in the Ross River. Like those in Ross River, our eastern long neck turtle is shy in nature and at times a little bit cheeky, often stealing food from the freshwater crocodile that he shares a home with. He loves prawns, little pieces of fish and sometimes for his greens, peas.

14.01.2022 We'll be getting a facelift! As part of the Government's COVID19 Relief and Recovery Fund, we received $5million for a modern new facade, and a new admissions and foyer area. For many years our public 'face' has been the iconic spire that was the 'Omnimax Theatre', which is due to be demolished with the redevelopment of the adjacent site. A new facade will create a distinctive and clearly identifiable landmark for the Aquarium, and enhance street appeal and accessibility for... the visitor. Learn more https://bit.ly/36kLixj

14.01.2022 Similarly to divers, who expand and contract the vests they wear to control their buoyancy, fish have an organ that they can expand and contract too! It’s a swim bladder! Instead of air like in the divers vest, the swim bladder is filled with gas. It reflects sound, which is used to find fish with sonar equipment. But more importantly, it helps fish swim efficiently. Watch the video below to find out how it works

13.01.2022 We've had an energetic Thursday Glaciem Cooling Technologies founder and CEO, Julian Hudson has been at Reef HQ to commission a thermal energy storage (TES) and renewable energy system. We are excited to become the first aquarium in the world to run this revolutionary system. The onsite thermal battery will store excess solar power generated through our solar array as ice. This thermal energy will then be used at night to power our life support systems and temperature co...ntrols for the coral reef exhibit, the world's largest living coral reef aquarium, which requires uninterrupted power 24/7. This project received funding from ARENA as part of ARENA’S Advancing Renewable Program. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3bKsc4u

12.01.2022 Today is World Maritime Day and this year's theme is about sustainable shipping The shipping industry has already adopted measures to reduce marine litter, which helps our mermaids, who, unable to flip by Reef HQ these school holidays, are spending their time removing marine debris. When out on the water, remember you're sharing the sea and practice:... Taking all litter with you to throw away (or recycle) on shore Collecting any litter that you find on and in the water and on land See more

11.01.2022 Over 80 species of sharks can be found on the Great Barrier Reef. Sharks play a vital role in the balance of and contribution to biodiversity The presence of sharks can be found in almost every habitat on the Reef, leading to a diverse diet, which includes fish, squid and even krill. A sharks diet impacts marine biodiversity, as it helps to control the population sizes of their prey. Sharks feed upon predatory fish, who feed upon herbivorous fish, which munch on algae. Wit...hout sharks, predatory fish populations explode, which leads to less herbivorous fish, and in turn less fish feeding upon algae (and algae is not good for coral!) The complex food web in Reef habitats, requires sharks to help maintain the balance and the diversity of species. Reef HQ Aquarium is home to 6 species of sharks who can all be found on the Great Barrier Reef. You can see black tips, leopard sharks, northern wobbegongs, epaulettes, a tawny nurse and nervous whaler all without getting wet!

09.01.2022 Today is World Tourism Day. We're sending a big THANK YOU to all our visitors and members who have supported us and continue to do so We're also thanking our Number 1 Fan who drew this sea-sational picture. We're usually the ones sharing the wonders of the Reef with our visitors but this time, a young visitor shared her love for the Reef with us

09.01.2022 The school holidays are near, and the Reef Education team have been busy delivering their free virtual connections programs to Reef Guardian Schools This term the team has delivered 8 sessions on topics such as climate change, threatened species in the Great Barrier Reef and litter reduction plans. With more than 100 connections in Term 3 the team has inspired over 1400 participants with their educational presentations. Visit https://bit.ly/2DJWo34 to see what topics are available in Term 4 for your Reef Guardian School. Term 4 Virtual Connection bookings open on Friday 25th September.

09.01.2022 Can't hop on over to the aquarium to make your pre-booked session? Remember to cancel your booking so that others can book in and have a hopping time instead Canceling your booking is easy. Open your booking confirmation email (check your junk or spam folder) and click on the "Contact Event Organiser" button at the bottom of the email. From there you will be able to notify us that you wish to cancel your booking. (Including the booking date and session time in your message will help us find your booking easily).

08.01.2022 Wearing the 'reminder rope' necklace has become a rite of passage for many at Reef HQ Aquarium The necklace appeared over 4 years ago and was designed for aquarists and other staff to wear when conducting water changes, water intakes and other timely tasks. The hard to miss necklace often sparks questions from visitors and staff, that act as a fashionable reminder of the important job the necklace wearer is working on; the need to open or close a valve on one of our critical systems.

07.01.2022 It's International Day of Sign Languages Some of our Reef HQ volunteers were eager to show you all how they sign some of Reef HQ's favourite animals. Our volunteers began learning AUSLAN last year and despite COVID, have continued to learn and build their AUSLAN skills online. Watch the video below to see Reef Education Officer Catie and volunteers Andrew and David sign some easy animals signs that you can learn too.

06.01.2022 We’ve hoisted the sails to give our corals some shade from the harsh summer sun At just 4 metres deep, our coral reef exhibit is shallower than much of the Great Barrier Reef, where corals can be found up to 100 metres deep. Using shade covers over the exhibit gives our corals a layer of protection from excessive light and heat, which can harm them.

04.01.2022 This egg-cellent video explains how buoyancy works Try this egg trick at home and see for yourself how you can make things float with a little bit of salt or even hover in mid water to achieve neutral buoyancy. Stay tuned for Connie's next video, which explores how our divers use buoyancy.

03.01.2022 We know you should never smile at a crocodile, but with World Smile Day being today it's hard not to smile at this little freshwater croc Charlie's cheeky grin has been a welcomed sight at Reef HQ for 3 months now and we've seen his personality shine through This sometimes shy little guy can be found in our freshwater crocodile exhibit near the cafe.

02.01.2022 First Aid isn't just a thought on National First Aid Day, first aid items should be on hand and on your mind even for a trip to the beach. Tick these first aid items off your list of things to bring on your next visit to the beach or reef. A first aid kit - for bumps, scratches or bruises Vinegar - for jellyfish stings... A thermos of hot water - for venomous stings from stone fish or stingrays There is a world of wonder to discover out on the reef and on our beaches, remember to have fun and stay safe when exploring!

02.01.2022 What is it? It can be gassy. Charles Darwin reasoned that lungs in air-breathing animals, may have evolved from this. It reflects sound so sonar equipment uses this to find what it seeks.... Not all marine animals have one. Check back in two days to find out!

01.01.2022 We've been 'tide' down getting the aquarium ready for you to visit from Monday July 13th. Bookings are open now and are essential! Pre-book your visit at https://www.trybooking.com/BKEGN When we reopen, there will be a sea change to your visit Watch the video below to learn more about these changes.