The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) has issued a call for architects, designers, and engineers to assist in building the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, a landmark in Townsville, aiming to compete with the best aquariums worldwide.
The Reef Authority is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from designers to develop Australia’s National Education Centre for the Great Barrier Reef, integrating marine science, education, sustainability, culture, and innovation into a premier facility.
Inspired by the Great Barrier Reef itself, the goal is to create a worldwide destination dedicated to tropical reef education, conservation, and research - highlighting the Reef’s beauty, resilience, and significance for future generations.
A "once-in-a-generation opportunity"
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of Earth’s most extraordinary living systems - and this project will give it the contemporary showcase on land that it deserves,” says Reef Authority CEO Josh Thomas.
“We’re inviting creative and engineering minds to come forward and help progress designs that will deliver an outstanding aquarium for Australia.”
Fred Nucifora, the Reef Authority's general manager of major projects, stated that redeveloping the original facility in Townsville, North Queensland, will advance innovation, sustainability, and design excellence, bolstering its status as home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a national asset that champions reef science, education and conservation and enables people of all ages and abilities the chance to connect with the Reef without getting wet,” he says.
The aquarium will showcase the world’s largest living coral reef exhibit and incorporate digital technologies and interactive experiences that engage visitors with the Great Barrier Reef.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) calls for individuals with demonstrated expertise in major civic, cultural, scientific, or marine architecture to register as suppliers for 16 service packages before an industry briefing in Townsville on 12 November, which will be recorded.
For more information and to access the EOI documentation, please click here. EOI closes at 5:00 pm AEST on 1 December 2025.
Earlier this year, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) launched a new strategy to conserve the world's most climate-resilient coral reefs.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
