The bright side of 2020: Queensland’s top 5 moments

As the doors close on 2020, now’s the time to reflect on the past 12 months.

Despite the challenges this year has brought, there have been some beautiful moments in Queensland to celebrate too – each a reminder to appreciate the little things and look on the brighter side of life.

Before we chime the bells, let’s take a trip down memory lane to revisit our top five Queensland moments of 2020.

1. Bushfire survivor Ember the koala was released back into the wild

During the tragic Australia bushfires in 2019, Ember the koala was rescued and admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital – one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world. She was suffering with burns to her footpads, smoke inhalation, dehydration, and starvation.

Following her admission, Ember became a symbol of hope around the globe after famously starring alongside Chris Hemsworth in National Geographic’s Born Wild: The Next Generation.

After 67 days of treatment and rehabilitation, Ember went into care where she was eventually released back out into the wild and she has been seen thriving. 

We've even heard that Ember might have a joey in her pouch.

2. Tourism operators became coral gardeners 

With most international travellers stranded at home, tourism operators along Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef banded together with marine scientists to use this downtime to help care for the reef through a range of initiatives. 

In The Whitsundays, Reef Ecologic partnered with over 20 local tourism operators to help monitor coral nurseries, survey fish life, and plant coral to help resort damaged coral reefs at Blue Pearl and Manta Ray Bay that were affected during Cyclone Debbie in 2017.  

After some initial training, the team outplanted a record number of corals (over 950) from established coral nurseries to the surrounding reefs, becoming frontline healthcare workers for Australia’s greatest natural asset, the Great Barrier Reef.

3. Australia’s first underwater museum opened on the Great Barrier Reef

Just when you thought you’ve ticked off the nation’s best galleries and museums, Australia’s first underwater museum opened on the Great Barrier Reef in August this year. 

Located in Townsville in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) is a series of installations that offer a platform to share stories of art, science, reef conservation and First Nations culture. 

Stage One of MOUA includes the underwater Coral Greenhouse installation at John Brewer Reef and the Ocean Siren sculpture at The Strand. So, when the time is right, strap on your fins and snorkel and take some time out to explore this incredible underwater artwork. 

4. A rare ornate eagle ray was discovered 

Often called the ‘unicorn of the sea’ by divers, ornate eagle rays are endangered and rarely seen – with only around 50 sightings recorded worldwide.

In March this year, Master Reef Guide Jacinta Shackleton was one lucky diver when she spotted an ornate eagle ray while conducting research in the waters off Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef. 

“This unforgettable experience has made me aware of just how fortunate I am to have spent so much time immersed in nature, and how lucky we are to have such a rich and vibrant variety of life right here in our own backyard,” said Ms Shackleton.

5. Millions of butterflies flutter through Queensland 

At the end of March, Queenslanders were treated to a spectacular show right outside their doorstep with millions of beautiful butterflies soaring through the skies of South East Queensland and the Gladstone region. 

The mega migration was a beautiful antidote to the global pandemic and a timely reminder that while some of us were (and still are) cocooning at home, nature continues to thrive and amaze us, right outside our front door.

Want to read more about what Queensland has achieved in 2020? Check out the latest news updates here.