The Middle Island Underwater Observatory, located off Queensland's Great Keppel Island, was a significant tourist attraction from 1980 until its closure in 2008. Coral Wedd, who worked at the observatory's souvenir shop from 1980 to 1982, recounted her experience, noting the unique aspect of working underwater.
Operations and Unique Features
The observatory, situated in crystal-clear waters, attracted hundreds of tourists daily. It hosted notable events, including a wedding in October 1980 and the burial of a young man's ashes. The structure was innovative for its time, featuring a souvenir shop on the ocean floor with 14 large, six-foot windows, a design element considered unique for Australian underwater observatories. An operator fed marine life twice daily to ensure their presence for tourist viewing.
Construction and History
Opened on September 25, 1980, the Middle Island Underwater Observatory was Australia's largest at the time. The concept originated from Yeppoon resident Jim Nimmo and his wife Sheena. Construction was carried out by Goodies Engineering in Yeppoon between 1979 and 1980.
- The structure was ballasted with 500 tonnes of copper and ilmenite.
- An electrical current was used continuously to prevent corrosion.
- It was floated to sea and submerged 6 meters below sea level onto plated piles.
- A Taiwanese shipwreck and other debris were simultaneously sunk to create a marine habitat.
Australia's first stationary underwater observatory opened earlier in 1954 at Green Island, near Cairns, and was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1970 before closing in 2012. The world's largest current underwater observatory is at Busselton Jetty, Western Australia, built in 2003.
Closure and Current Status
The Middle Island Underwater Observatory ceased operations following the closure of the Great Keppel Island Resort in 2008. The site is currently abandoned but has become a popular location for scuba divers and snorkellers. The area has been rezoned as a green zone, prohibiting fishing and contributing to a thriving marine life population, including reef fish, cod, groupers, sharks, rays, and turtles, which use the old structure as a habitat.
Future Assessment
The future of the site is under assessment by the state government, which rescinded leases from the former resort owners in 2023. A tender awarded earlier this year for the cleanup of abandoned buildings on Great Keppel Island includes an assessment of the Middle Island Underwater Observatory's condition. A spokesperson from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development confirmed that the assessment of the underwater observatory's condition is ongoing, with safety and security being a priority for the former resort site.