Museum of Underwater Art
About Museum of Underwater Art
The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) in Townsville is a pioneering cultural and environmental project located within the Great Barrier Reef region. It is the first underwater museum in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring submerged sculptures that act as artificial reefs, designed to foster marine life and promote coral growth. Created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, among others, MOUA serves a dual purpose of being a tourist attraction and a scientific research site. The installations, such as the Coral Greenhouse and Ocean Siren, are not only artistic endeavors but also part of a concerted effort to raise awareness about marine conservation and the impacts of climate change. MOUA is a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with the scientific community and local tourism operators, aiming to inspire reef conservation and sustainable tourism practices through the power of art and education.
Overall Recommendation Level
Price: High
Prices are near and above $300
Audience
Great for adults, and those comfortably under water.
Location
There are a few operators that provide tours. All in Townsville city centre.
Reviewed & written by Joe C. Read about Joe and more of his recommendations.
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MY REVIEW
As I submerged into the crystalline waters off the coast of Townsville, I was entering not just another dive site but a realm where art and the ocean's pulse merged into one. The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) was an experience that defied my expectations of what an underwater adventure could entail.
The first sight of the Coral Greenhouse was surreal—a structure that felt both alien and perfectly at home on the ocean floor. Encrusted with burgeoning coral life, Jason deCaires Taylor's sculptures within the greenhouse were a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the delicate balance between human presence and nature's resilience. Each figure, a silent sentinel amidst the sway of marine flora, told a story of symbiosis and hope.
The Ocean Siren, visible from the Strand promenade, was equally impactful. Standing tall in the shallow waters, the statue changed colors with the ocean temperature, a visual barometer of the sea's health. It was a poignant, living piece of art that resonated with me long after I surfaced.
Diving around the installations, I was struck by the diversity of life that had claimed this art as its home. Schools of fish darted through the sculptures, and it was clear that MOUA was more than an art exhibit; it was a thriving habitat, a successful marriage of conservation and creativity.
Above water, the museum's commitment to education and reef conservation was evident. The staff were not just guides; they were educators and advocates for the Great Barrier Reef. Their passion was infectious, and I left with a deeper understanding of the reef's plight and the actions we can take to protect it.