We recently took a trip back to where it all began for Richard back in 1989, Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville Australia.
Richard was lucky enough to be employed by Reef HQ when he was putting himself through Marine Biology at James Cook University.
I have done hundreds of dives on the Great Barrier Reef but this was my first visit to Reef HQ, so I was pleasantly surprised when this beautiful aquarium still managed to take my breath away.
Reef HQ is the national education centre for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. More than just an aquarium, Reef HQ provides internships for up and coming marine biologists. They also manage an extensive turtle hospital and have numerous projects on the go throughout the year to help educate people about one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef.
Our recent trip took us down to film their resident Scalloped Hammerhead shark. Affectionately named Sledge, this beautiful shark was a 58cm pup when collected by Cairns Marine, Australia’s largest supplier of marine life. For over a year Sledge lived and thrived in their shark habitat at their facilities here in north Cairns and more than doubled in size, before being transported to Reef HQ. Sledge and many of the animals enjoyed by the visitors to the Reef HQ Aquarium, are hand collected and provided by Cairns Marine.
Some of the vision Richard shot that day can be seen in our Wow clip.
Back To Blog