Australia❜s Underwater Discovery Centre is Set to be the Largest in the World

  • All Ages

It seems that Australia has a fascination with taking ordinary objects or living things and making them supersized. From pineapples to bananas, beer cans, prawns and even the Big Bench, we Aussies can't get enough of obscure Big Things.

Well, come July 2023, we'll be able to add another Big Thing to the list, as Australia will soon be home to the world's largest underwater observatory in the shape of a giant whale! It's a little longer to wait than the original opening date of late 2022, but it's going to be so worth!

Australia's Giant Whale-shaped Underwater Observatory

Underwater Observatory
Inside the new Australian Underwater Discovery Centre.


30-million-dollars is being splashed out on the Australian Underwater Discovery Centre (AUDC), which is set to open at the Busselton Jetty in Western Australia in July 2023 and will be the largest underwater observatory in the world. 

The Australian Underwater Discovery Centre is born out of a collaboration between Australian Engineering houses, Subcon and Core Marine with British based BACA Architects, and the design was inspired by the Humpback, Southern Right and Blue Whales, which frequent Geographe Bay. Once completed, the AUDC will span 900-square metres across several levels and feature panoramic glass windows overlooking the protected waters of Geographe Bay. 

 

Large interior windows will overlook the ocean floor of one of WA's most unique ecosystems. 

A Living Observatory

Whale shaped observatory
The Australian Underwater Discovery Centre has been dubbed the 'Cetacean'. 


The unique design of the whale, or 'Cetacean', serves to unobtrusively blend in with the unique marine life around it. According to Subcon,  "...the exterior is designed to create a thriving habitat for fish and corals, with a bio-receptive structure encouraging corals, sponges and algae to take hold. Barnacles will grow in the splash zone – just as they do on whales! There will be underwater sculptures too, which will provide additional habitat and protection for marine life."

The new Underwater Discovery Centre is set to help with the increased demand at the current Underwater Observatory at Busselton Jetty. The new digs will be split between several levels (some of which will be completely submerged) and will even feature art galleries, exhibition spaces and a restaurant!

Australian Underwater Discovery Centre is set to open in July 2023. We can't wait to see it when it opens!

More Exciting Openings in Australia:

Australia's Biggest Climbing Centre Is Open in Melbourne!
Western Sydney Set to get their First Holey Moley and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Australia's Largest Indoor Sporting Venue is Coming to Sydney

 

 

 

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