Funding provided for new Great Barrier Reef pontoon in 2022

The Queensland Government has granted $3 million to Australian adventure and leisure tourism company, Experience Co, to build a unique new pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

Named "Reef Magic", the activity pontoon will be based at Moore Reef, a large horseshoe-shaped reef system nearly 45km offshore from Cairns. The new floating platform will provide capacity for up to 700 passengers a day, split into two departures with a maximum of up to 350 passengers on the pontoon at any one time.

“This grant will allow us to build the first new pontoon product out of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef in over ten years,” said Experience Co. Chief Executive Officer, John O’Sullivan.

“It's not only a shot in the arm for tourism in the region, but also a win for the marine science community who will have access to our purpose-built onboard laboratory; and the local Cairns community who will gain economic benefit from the local construction.”

Due to launch in early 2022, the new pontoon wil be an extension of the popular Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel tour, a one-day, all-inclusive experience led by Indigenous Sea Rangers who provide a local interpretation of the sea country. The new platform plans to weave a narrative of Indigenous storytelling with western science and eco-powered initiatives.

It’s estimated the construction of the Reef Magic Pontoon will create around 40 jobs in Cairns over 18 months while the pontoon is being built. Once operational, Experience Co. estimates 59 full-time jobs will be created over a five-year period, including the appointment of Indigenous Sea Rangers.

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