Yeppoon, Queensland — October 11, 1980, marked not only a wedding day but a first for underwater architecture: Mark William Heslin and Sharee Anne Newland exchanged vows six meters beneath the waves at the Middle Island Underwater Observatory.
The pioneering observatory, once a major tourist draw off the coast of central Queensland, hosted a unique wedding and served as a window into a vibrant marine world.
- Opened in 1980, the Middle Island Underwater Observatory quickly became a popular attraction.
- The observatory uniquely hosted a wedding in 1980, a first-of-its-kind event.
- The structure’s future is now under assessment by the Queensland state government.
- The observatory’s innovative design included an electrical current to prevent corrosion.
“Coral would go to work under the water selling coral to the tourists,” recalled Coral Wedd, who worked at the observatory’s souvenir shop from 1980 to 1982. “It still makes her chuckle 40 years later.”
A Submerged Spectacle Draws Crowds
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The Middle Island Underwater Observatory, a marvel of engineering, quickly became a star attraction in the 1980s and 90s. Hundreds of tourists flocked daily from Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast, boarding boats to witness the underwater world. “Probably 200 people each,” Wedd estimated, eager to descend into the depths.
Hundreds of tourists would fill boats and cruise along the Keppel islands, visiting the underwater observatory along the way.
Q: What made the Middle Island Underwater Observatory so special?
A: It was the first of its kind in Australia, offering a unique view of marine life and even hosting an underwater wedding, attracting hundreds of visitors daily.
The observatory, located 24 kilometers off the coast of Yeppoon in central Queensland, wasn’t just a tourist spot; it was a venue for life’s milestones. The wedding of Heslin and Newland, held just a month after the observatory opened, was a testament to its novelty.
The wedding of Mark William Heslin to Sharee Anne Newland was held in the underwater observatory on October 11, 1980.
A Bittersweet Remembrance
Beyond celebrations, the observatory also witnessed moments of profound sadness. Wedd recalled a poignant occasion when a young man’s ashes were scattered nearby, at the request of his grieving parents. He had been captivated by the observatory and its marine life during previous visits. “Our diver from the observatory took the ashes,” Wedd said. “The parents stood and watched as he planted the ashes under a rock and in the sand. It was a bittersweet day for his parents… that was the first, too, for the observatory.”
Pioneering Underwater Views
Australia led the way in underwater observation with the opening of the world’s first stationary underwater observatory at Green Island off Cairns, in Far North Queensland, in 1954. Constructed from an old Navy dive chamber, it even hosted a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1970 before closing in 2012 due to structural concerns. Today, the largest underwater observatory is located at Busselton Jetty in Western Australia, featuring a 9.5-meter observation chamber built in 2003.
Visitors would look out the windows and see the marine life outside.
The Middle Island Underwater Observatory, the largest in Australia upon its opening on September 25, 1980, was the realization of a dream by Yeppoon resident Jim Nimmo, with the support of his wife, Sheena. Wedd remembers the excitement surrounding the opening day, filled with broadcasting, dignitaries, and eager visitors.
Engineering Marvel and Current Status
Constructed by Yeppoon firm Goodies Engineering between 1979 and 1980, the observatory was ballasted with 500 tonnes of copper and ilmenite, carefully lowered into the sea at Rosslyn Bay Harbour. A unique feature was an electrical current designed to run continuously, preventing corrosion. A Taiwanese shipwreck and other debris were intentionally sunk nearby to create a thriving habitat for marine life.
The Middle Island underwater observatory under construction in the harbour.
Today, the observatory stands abandoned, a haven for marine life and a popular spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. The area has been designated a green zone, prohibiting fishing and fostering a thriving ecosystem. The future of the site is now under review by the Queensland state government, which rescinded leases from Tower Holdings in 2023. A demolition company has been contracted to clean up the former Great Keppel Island Resort, and an assessment of the observatory’s condition is underway.
According to a recent statement from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development, the department’s priority remains the safety and security of the former Great Keppel Island resort site.
