TOD Tour 2.0 Day 30 - Barramundi Centre

For several hours this morning, we were enthralled by the Karumba Barramundi Discovery Centre.

Growing from an original facility set up by the CSIRO to support the prawn industry, it grew first into a co-operative intended to support the ongoing nature of barramundi fishing and final morphed into its current form and named after Les Wilson, a former Mayor and a larger than life character who is renowned in these parts.

The design, by Brisbane architects Bud Brannigan and Associates, is an award winner for the way it rises in an arc in the same way a barramundi does when it strikes and rises from the water. The displays are presented in a variety of ways, mirroring that different people learn in different ways. Children are well catered for.

We took a tour with Tony, who presented just enough information for his audience but as much as they wanted. I watched the start of a subsequent tour and saw him adapt to his new group and tailor how he presented. We found out much we did not know about this great fighting fish. For instance, all barramundi are born male and they can eat from their third day and they grow at the rate of 1mm a day. After their birth in the saltwater of the Gulf, whilst still quite young, they make their way up the rivers to fresh water to grow. Once they reach somewhere between 75 and 90cm, they go through a process called sexual inversion and almost all will become female. Therefore, barramundi over 90cm long will be females.

The KBDC, only opened in 2018 but has already sent fingerlings to various locations for release into dams and rivers.

Barramundi have no teeth, although this didn't reassure Sue when she hand fed a big one in a tank. Its sudden grab for the squid in Sue's hand still has her checking her fingers and underpants.

It's very, very rare that you visit an attraction which combines every element you might look for in something to occupy a few hours. This places ticks every box. Wonderful, award winning architecture; just enough information on the walls presented in interesting ways; learning for kids and adults in ways that are appropriate; an excellent tour delivered expertly such that everything you heard, you remembered; education without preaching; a kick arse cafe; staff that made you feel welcome even when you were leaving; and extremely reasonable entry prices. There is no praise I can give the BDC which is too high.

Click for today's photos

Fish and chips for lunch (barramundi grilled) and eventually another brilliant sunset. I'd love to tell you about the sunset cruise we took to the sand island for snacks and snaps but despite spending time to get ready and walking towards the boat, we decided it would be better to go tomorrow night, when we are booked in. Doh!