Exclusive: First video on visit to stunning world first Coast dive attraction

The Gold Coast’s world first tourism attraction — a $5 million dive site — is being described as “the greatest show on earth’’. WATCH THE VIDEO INSIDE

The new $5m dive site off The Spit is being described as “the greatest show on earth’’.

Exclusive photographs and video footage show why the floating artificial Wonder Reef is tipped to attract more than 16,000 divers in the next 12 months.

Mayor Tom Tate about to check the new dive site attraction on the Gold Coast.

It will open to divers on June 8, World Oceans Day. Bookings have just opened.

But the first reviews are surfacing with Mayor Tom Tate delivering a thumbs-up verdict after his visit to the site, having earlier completed his diving certificate.

Mr Tate joined Deputy Premier Steven Miles for a unique underwater ribbon-cutting dive as the new tourism gem had its official opening.

“It’s the greatest show on earth,” the Mayor told the Bulletin. “The marine life is incredible. There’s already a resident grouper there who has claimed his patch and thousands of other fish all darting around the coral and floating structures.

“This will set the benchmark for divers who want to experience a floating artificial reef only 2.5km off our ocean beaches.

Mayor Tom Tate (left) and Deputy Premier Steven Miles visiting the new Gold Coast dive site off The Spit.

“Unlike other Queensland locations, divers leaving the Seaway here can be ready to descend in 15 minutes, allowing dive operators to run several tours a day.

“We predict at least 16,000 divers will visit annually. It’s the experience of a lifetime and will add to our city’s appeal – and bed nights.’’

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said: “The Palaszczuk Government has backed the Gold Coast’s vision of joining the world’s bucket list of top dive experiences with a $2.5 million investment in Wonder Reef.

“As a new visitor experience on the Gold Coast, Wonder Reef’s delivery is perfectly timed for rebuilding international tourism to Queensland.”

After challenging weather conditions earlier in the week, when strong winds forced a planned trip on Tuesday to be cancelled, the Mayor and Deputy Premier headed out under blue skies on Wednesday.

Described as an “innovative fusion of art, science and engineering design”, the site has attracted thousands of different marine life species in a few short months.

“Queensland’s diving spots are up there with the best in the world,” Mr Miles told the Bulletin. “I’ve seen this spectacular dive site first-hand, and the world is in for a treat when it officially opens. I want to thank the Gold Coast City Council for working with the Queensland government on this project.”

Mayor Tom Tate and Deputy Premier Steven Miles cutting the ribbon for the opening of the new dive site on the Gold Coast.

Member for Gaven and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said Wonder Reef was a wonderful addition to Gold Coast tourism.

“Wonder Reef builds on our trademark for innovative tourism experiences that make the Gold Coast Australia’s favourite holiday destination,” Ms Scanlon said.

“This opens up an entirely new world of Gold Coast experiences that confirms our city’s place on Queensland’s global diving map.”

Built on a sandy seabed, the site features:

* Nine buoyant sculptural reef flutes standing about 22 metres above the sea floor, anchored to the sea floor by reef foundations.

* Some are approximately 7 metres below the surface, accessible to all levels of divers.

* Reef foundations are 4 metres by 4 metres in size and weigh about 72 tonnes each, accessible by advanced open water divers.

* The design creates a habitat for a diverse range of marine life and the facility allows swim-throughs and landing platforms for divers.

Surfacing. Some divers at the new Gold Coast dive attraction off The Spit.

“The marine life is as good as what you’ll see at any other dive site,” Mr Tate added. “The coral we planted a few months ago is thriving and the sculptures are just mesmerising.

“Renewing our tourism products and attractions is vital if we want to keep our title as Australia’s tourism capital – and believe me this is something special.

Spectacular shot of a diver at one of the floating buoys, part of the Gold Coast new dive attraction off The Spit.

“This unique site is already attracting global publicity and Destination GC is leveraging that publicity with a campaign to draw in more tourists who will want to experience Wonder Reef.”