Cairns Aquarium, Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia

Australia’s Tropical North welcomes one of its largest and most exciting attractions, the Cairns Aquarium.

Project Overview

Opened in September 2017, Cairns Aquarium is a modern, $54 million, three-story facility celebrating the world-renowned aquatic habitats and biodiversity of Tropical North Queensland.

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) created 40 Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) tank-based exhibits for this project, accounting for more than half of the 71 breathtaking displays on offer.

FRP tanks feature authentic simulations of rockwork, theming and artificial corals. The tanks showcase the region’s iconic ecosystems such as Rivers and Waterways, Creeks and Streams, Billabongs, Tropical Rainforests, Mangrove and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.

“The owners have engaged with the best people in their field…So they brought in AAT to create the incredible immersive visitor journey.” Julie Cullen, General Manager (Blooloop Interview, October 2017)

Cairns Aquarium Exhibit Tanks2

AAT also installed the tanks’ acrylic viewing panels and added the necessary skimmers and flow ports.

AAT completed pre-fabrication and assembly work at its quality-controlled offsite manufacturing facility.

Cairns Aquarium, Florence Street, Cairns QLD, Australia

Client
Cairns Aquarium & Reef Research

Time Frame
2016 – 2017

Project
40 exhibit tanks, three stand sizes, five custom tanks, complete with rockwork & acrylic

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Scope of Works

Build Phase

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An exceptional portfolio of in-house capabilities.

A seamless start-to-finish service.
More than project coordinators - we are the lead supplier of equipment and services too.
We offer productive collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams and resources.
Our logistical and project management track record provides total peace-of-mind.
A high-level of internal delivery means excellent control over quality assurance.
System-thinking from design to execution, for a cost-efficient and durable aquarium that is easy to operate and spectacular to see.

Are you considering creating a new aquarium?

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Phase 1

Design

The first phase addresses feasibility, budgeting, concept development, creative themes, visitor-experience design and journey-mapping, detailed engineering and project planning.

Phase 2

Build

The second phase focuses on acrylic manufacturing, construction and installation, the supply and installation of life support systems, waterproofing, lighting, filling and stocking the tanks.

Phase 3

Operate

The third phase includes handing the aquarium over to its owners and operators. Also included this phase, for older aquariums, are services relating to refurbishment and renovation.