|
Reef HQ
The world's best living reef experience
OPEN 9.00AM TO 5.00PM Situated : 2-68 Flinders Street, Townsville ( Same
complex as the Omnimax Theatre)
Its innovative exhibits provide a close encounter with the creatures of the Great Barrier
Reef. Its centerpiece is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem on land, living
and breathing as it does in the wild. With a host of other live exhibits and a full daily
program, Reef HQ is the full page or the closing chapter in a fantastic Great Barrier Reef
holiday.
At Reef HQ you'll experience some amazing aspects of the Great Barrier Reef- maritime
history with the replica of the wreck S.S.Yongala, Aboriginal and Islander culture at the
stone fish trap, and discover the feel at the Touch Pool. Sharks, rays and other
reef predators cruise over head, above the 18m acrylic tunnel while a team of highly
trained Reef Keepers share their reef knowledge and stories with the visitors. There
is no need to get wet, get sun burned or spend a fortune. As the Reef Education
Center for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Reef HQ is known as a center of
excellence in marine education.
Townsville is actually the headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian
Institute of Marine Science, the Cooperative Research Center for Reef Research and James
Cook University are all located in Townsville. Reef HQ helps share their research
stories with you. To make the most of your visit, check the show times on your program and
listen for special announcements.
Coral Cay Cafe
Relax over a cup of coffee or a delicious snack and watch the waves
over the top of the Coral Reef Exhibit.
Reef in Store
Make your reef experience last longer with a souvenir from Reef in
Store.
Reef HQ Membership
Stay informed about Reef HQ by becoming a member and receive
unlimited entry for one year.
Reef HQ Volunteers
Over 180 local people volunteer their time, enthusiasm and reef
knowledge to ensure you have the world's best living reef experience.
Camera Tips
Using a flash can cause reflection that hides the subject of your
picture. The best results are achieved with high-speed film 400 ISO.
Pass Out Stamps
Unlimited re-entry all day is available. Ask at the
information desk.
Daily Program
Variety of talks and tours
Underwater dive show - chat to divers under water
Discovery Trail - A 40 minute journey through Reef HQ
Danger Trail - Discover the deadly and dangerous creatures of the reef
Shark Feeding - See reef predators having their lunch
Eco Trail - Find out who's who in the food chain and where they like to live on
the reef
Touch Pool Adventure - Discover animals in the inter-tidal zone and learn how to
reef walk with care.
Reef HQ Show - Discover how reefs are formed and how creatures interact - a great
reef introduction.
Kids' Corner - A fun time for kids including stories, games and craft activities.
OMNIMAX THEATRE " An
experience in Sight and Sound that will leave you breathless."
The Townsville OMNIMAX Theatre was built in 1987 and is
first installation of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
The OMNIMAX projection system, with its 180 degrees dome screen, should not be confused
with an IMAX system which projects its image onto a large rectangular screen.
The rolling loop film transport mechanism which forms the heart of our projector was
conceived and invented by a Australian Engineer, Ron Jones of Brisbane,the 25mm fish eye
lens used in the projector was specially made and provides 180 degrees horizontal and 130
degrees vertical coverage of the dome screen.
The dome screen is finely perforated to allow 2100 watts of 6-track digital sound to
complement the world of picture that surrounds the audience.
The audience is comfortably seated at an angle to provide an uninterrupted view of the
screen.
To keep the lamp at a safe operating temperature, and to prolong the life of the lamp,
circulating distilled water continually flows through the lamphouse at a rate of 27 litres
per minute.
The projector unit and film reel unit weight around 1 tonne each. Each of the two chains
that raise and lower the projector units has a 3 tonne breaking strain.
Brake units mounted in the elevator have sufficient breaking power to bring the projector
to a complete stop and keep it stationary should a power failure be experienced.
The Film Reel Unit holds two films at one time, one on
each deck. The film being screened winds off the right platter (viewed from viewing
windows), travels through the projector and is taken up on the left platter. At the same
time, the alternate deck is rewinding film from left to right in readiness for the next
presentation.
Each platter is capable of taking 60 minutes of film which roughly equates to a 6km length
of film.
OMNIMAX projector uses a 15,000 watt Xenon arc lamp to
illuminate the giant dome screen. Each lamp is valued in excess of A$10,000 and has an
expected lifespan of only 1,000 hours. Film passes through the OMNIMAX projector
horizontally inverted.
The large OMNIMAX film runs through the projector at 102.6 metres per minute - 24 frames
per second (four times as fast as the 35mm projector!).
The OMNIMAX projection system is made up of two units: 1 The rolling loop projection that
raises to the centre of the Theatre. one floor above the projection room before each
presentation and: 2 The film reel unit which remains at ground level.
Sound for the OMNIMAX film is reproduced from a 35mm sprocketed magnetic tape which runs a
half a meter per second.
The sound reproducer is a six-track playback unit with a reel capacity of 1,500
meters. This feeds a six speaker system designed to create strong directional
effects.
An interlock circuit between the projector and the reproducer maintains synchronisation of
the projected image and sound.
The 70mm/15 perforations per frame film that is used in the OMNIMAX projection system is
the largest available - ten times as large in area as conventional 35mm cinema film.
| 
