One of the many luxuries of living in Tropical Far North Queensland is the lure of the world’s largest coral reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest which continues to attract millions of tourists to the region.

Promoters of the Great Barrier Reef have endless statistics which they are not shy to share with you. The Reef welcomes two million visitors annually; it supports 64,000 jobs; contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy and has a $56 billion economic, social and icon asset value.

Visitors to the Reef can enjoy many experiences including snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat-viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

English broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough sums it up best: “It is one of the greatest, and most splendid natural treasures that the world possesses."

But coming face-to-face with these fascinating and amazing animals in their natural habitat is something not everyone is able to achieve – however, there is a spectacular alternative in the Cairns Aquarium which showcases the unique animals and habitats endemic to Tropical North Queensland.

The facility, which took six-and-a-half years from concept to opening, takes you on a journey from the freshwater river systems, through the Wet Tropics rainforest, across the mangroves to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef where you learn about this fragile eco system.

But you have to wonder why a facility of this magnitude, which cost in excess of $50 million, was developed. 

Says CEO and co-founder Daniel Leipnik: “The idea was borne out of a trip to the reef where we saw many people who were unable or uncomfortable swimming.

“We wanted visitors to the region to have an immersive and educational experience of the creatures of the Great Barrier Reef as a stand-alone encounter or as an enhancement to their reef experience.”

The 7,500 square metre aquarium with its modern and contemporary design which houses more than 16,000 creatures across 71 habitats is testament to this and is the only aquarium in the world dedicated exclusively to the habitats and species of Tropical North Queensland.

The co-founders Leipnik and Andrew Preston also had a niche in the market which was readily endorsed by Council which insured a smooth development process.

“Cairns Regional Council was incredibly supportive of the investment and attraction and allocated a development team to work with us through the legislative requirements.

“The CBD vacant land was zoned tourism and residential so this helped fast track the development processes,” said Leipnik.

Leipnik said funding for the project came from family financing, private investment and bank financing.
Listening to Leipnik unravel the aquarium’s numerous intricacies, you have to ask if he has spent the better part of his life immersed in marine biology. Far from it.

“Both Andrew and I are business executives. We have a 25-year career each in executive management, finance, and business development across multiple industries: advanced manufacturing, building and construction, TV and film, and transport and logistics,” he says.