The Middle Island Underwater Observatory, once a star attraction for Great Keppel Island, has a fascinating history. In the 1980s, Coral Wedd, known as Coral, worked at the observatory's souvenir shop in the Pacific Ocean off Queensland. She recalls the unique daily routine, selling coral to tourists underwater, which still brings a smile to her face 40 years later. The observatory attracted hundreds of tourists daily, with a daily boat load of up to 200 people. It even hosted a maritime wedding and a poignant ceremony where a young man's ashes were laid to rest nearby. The observatory, built from an old Navy dive chamber, was the largest in Australia when it opened in 1980. It was the dream of Jim Nimmo and his wife Sheena, with Coral playing a pivotal role in its opening day. The structure was designed to prevent corrosion with an electrical current and was set down 6 meters below sea level. It became a popular spot for marine life, with coral forming over the old structure and sea animals using the nooks and crannies as a habitat. The future of the site now lies in the hands of the state government, which rescinded the leases from former Great Keppel Island Resort owners in 2023. A demolition company was awarded a tender to clean up abandoned buildings, including an assessment of the Middle Island Underwater Observatory. The condition of the observatory is still under assessment, with the department's priority being the safety and security of the former Great Keppel Island resort site.
