MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art

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MOUA / Museum of Underwater Art

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Touching hearts, igniting passions, and inspiring change through art.

INSPIRING REEF CONVERSATIONS

The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's largest collection of coral reefs also know as the Sea Country to First Nations people, is an awe-inspiring wonder that holds immense ecological significance and economic value. It is our duty to preserve this global treasure for future generations to come. The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) plays a vital role in safeguarding the reef by offering an inspiring and educational experience that encourages positive conversations and garners media attention. Through a captivating blend of art and science, MOUA effectively addresses the challenging issues of climate change and coral bleaching, inviting everyone to participate in protecting the reef. One of the most powerful aspects of MOUA's work is the creation of stunning underwater sculptures that showcase the spectacular growth of corals. These sculptures tell a compelling story: the reef has the capacity to recover, and each one of us can contribute to its resilience through simple, everyday changes. Situated at the heart of Australia's marine biology research and reef management efforts in Townsville, MOUA aims to become a central gathering point for the diverse groups striving to safeguard the Great Barrier Reef. By merging art and science in one location, MOUA fosters collaboration and synergy among these dedicated individuals and organisations. To support our mission, you can contribute by booking a diving or snorkelling tour, making a donation, sponsoring our installations, or partnering with us to amplify your own message of reef conservation. Together, we can make a difference in protecting this extraordinary natural wonder.

22/10/2026

The Museum of Underwater Art and The Drill Hall Studio are excited to announce an open Call for Artists in any medium for the art exhibition RECLAIMED....

RECLAIMED celebrates the incredible biodiversity at the MOUA Coral Greenhouse at John Brewer Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. The exhibition will be held throughout June 2027 as part of extended World Ocean Day celebrations.

Be inspired by the corals and fish who now call the Coral Greenhouse home. Unable to visit MOUA yourself? Check out MOUA’s website gallery (https://www.moua.com.au/gallery) and the MOUA iNaturalist project (https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/citizen-science-at-moua-john-brewer-reef) for inspiration!

Think the big blue, the growth of soft corals, fluttering butterflyfish, cheeky clownfish, teaming schools of barracuda and the glorious parrotfish that frequent this iconic installation.

Want to dive into the exhibition?

Register online between 1 December 2026 and 15 April 2027 at https://thedrillhallstudio.com.au/

Image credit: Sue Luxon, Dance of Fairy Basslets with Ghost Corals

21/10/2026

What a wonderful time we had at the Discover Dive & Draw workshops earlier this month!

11 divers joined MOUA Director and Artist Kerrie Everett-Horrocks to draw underwater at the Museum of Underwater Art, John Brewer Reef 🪸

These events were a part of NAFA (North Australian Festival of Arts) and provided participants with the opportunity to experience MOUA through the lens of both art and marine education.

On the trip out to the reef, participants learned about the development of MOUA from its original concept through to its current role as a research and education site, and were introduced to citizen science, highlighting how they can contribute to reef science!

Guided underwater drawing sessions allowed participants to respond creatively to MOUA’s Ocean Sentinels and the surrounding reef environment while experiencing the site as both an artistic and scientific space, highlighting the intersection between art, science, education and conservation at MOUA.

Book your reef trip with Adrenalin Dive here https://www.moua.com.au/book 🤿

10/10/2026

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the STEM Changemakers Engagement Day at JCU Townsville today.
Alongside industry experts and representatives, students discovered a world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Hearing about real-world issues and innovations in the design stages, our aspiring girls explored new ideas to help shape products and processes.
The Museum of Underwater Art is committed to fostering cross-curricular education and STEM Changemakers is taking our reach to the next level.
Jason deCaires Taylor STEM Changemakers Kerrie EverRocks Paul Victory Adam Smith Reef Ecologic Aecom Australian Institute of Marine Science JCU: James Cook University, Australia Sarah Hodgson Dr. David E. Vaughan Dr-Peter Harris

15/09/2026

We are so excited to see everyone immersed in the Art at MOUA!
This is an exceptional opportunity to study the coral growth that we love so much, and create unique artworks of your own.
Book Now 👇🏻

14/09/2026

Come visit our fabulous underwater museum at John Brewer Reef!

Options to snorkel, dive, Discover Dive (for first timers) or even draw underwater with our upcoming Discover Dive Draw workshops on 1st & 4th October! 🎨🤿

Book today with Adrenalin Dive https://www.adrenalindive.com.au/museum-of-underwater-art/

Reef Ecologic Kerrie EverRocks

04/09/2026

🌊 ADRENALIN SNORKEL & DIVE IS HEADING TO SYDNEY! 🤿

We are excited to be exhibiting at the GO Diving Show Sydney!

If diving the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the legendary SS Yongala wreck or discovering the Museum of Underwater Art is on your dive bucket list, come and meet the Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive team and start planning your next North Queensland underwater adventure.

🐠 GREAT BARRIER REEF
Discover spectacular reefs off the coast of Townsville, with beautiful coral gardens, abundant marine life and plenty to explore for divers and snorkellers alike.

⚓ SS YONGALA WRECK
Experience one of Australia’s most iconic wreck dives. Resting in the open ocean off the North Queensland coast, the SS Yongala is famous for its incredible concentration of marine life – from turtles, rays and giant groupers to sea snakes and much more.

🗿 MUSEUM OF UNDERWATER ART
Dive beneath the surface at John Brewer Reef and explore the internationally acclaimed Museum of Underwater Art, where art, reef conservation and marine science come together on the Great Barrier Reef.

🤿 DIVE • LEARN • EXPLORE
Whether you are newly certified, an experienced diver, looking to continue your PADI training or simply searching for your next unforgettable dive destination, come and have a chat with us.

📍 GO Diving Show – Sydney
📅 05.-06.09.2026
📌 Sydney Showground, Exhibition Hall 5, Sydney Olympic Park
🎪 Find us at Stand 124
We will be Sharing the booth with Pleasure Divers Magnetic Island, SV Summer Jo (Whitsundays Expeditions Airlie Beach), Brisbane Dive Academy and Keppel Dive & Snorkel!

Come and say hello, meet the team and discover what is waiting beneath the surface in Townsville, North Queensland.

We might even have something special waiting for those who visit us at the show… 👀

28/08/2026

A great snapshot of what you can expect from a day trip with Adrenalin Dive to the Museum of Underwater Art at John Brewer Reef!

Explore the vibrant coral reef, incredible underwater sculptures and see the marine life who have made this museum their home 🐠🪸

Options to both snorkel and dive, and even try diving for the first time with a Discover Scuba Dive with Adrenalin's experienced Dive Instructors 🤿

Book your reef trip today!
https://www.adrenalindive.com.au/museum-of-underwater-art/

Reef Ecologic

24/08/2026

What a pleasure for Directors Adam Smith and Kerrie Horrocks, to accompany The Mayor of Townsville, Nick Dametto around The Museum of Underwater Art yesterday.

With exceptional weather and a whole host of marine animals to observe, it was the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the sculptures with their thick coats of growing coral, and to collect photos for inaturalist, adding to the enhanced database of recorded species through citizen science. The trio buddied up for 2 SCUBA Dives and a leisurely snorkel to experience the site from the surface right down to the bottom, taking an array of photos for documentation. The excursion also provided Mayor Dametto with a first hand look at one of Townsville’s premium tourist destinations on The Great Barrier Reef.

With clear water and comfortable water temperatures, it is the best time of the year to get out and fully immerse yourself in the diverse underwater environment that is MOUA.

Thanks to Adrenalin Dive for taking us out to the reef, a pleasure to join you as always!

23/08/2026

For the end of National Science Week we shine a spotlight on a species found at MOUA and John Brewer Reef: the Sixband Parrotfish (Scarus frenatus) 🐠

This is the most observed species in our iNaturalist project “Citizen science at MOUA, John Brewer Reef”, with a whopping 151 observations so far!

This fish can grow up to almost 50cm and changes s*x from male to female during their life cycle (like most parrotfish). They’re also not just a pretty face, they play an important role as “grazers” on the reef, keeping algae growth down to allow corals to flourish!

We encourage you to join iNaturalist and bring your underwater camera (or hire one) next time you come out to MOUA, to help us record the incredible species on our vibrant reef and contribute to citizen science 🪸

See you out there!

🔗 Sign up for iNaturalist here https://www.inaturalist.org/signup
🤿 Book your reef trip today with Adrenalin Dive

Reef Ecologic

Address

John Brewer Reef
Townsville, QLD

Website

https://www.moua.com.au/

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