Humpback whales and other species from the local environment are among the displays at Australia's Fraser Coast Cultural Centre, which opened 6 December.
The AU$4m (US$4.22m, 3.21m euro, £2.61m) centre, in Hervey Bay, Queensland, is home to the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery and the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, which hosts a theatre experience showcasing underwater imagery and a full sized reproduction of a whale skeleton.
An 11.5m hardwood and steel sculpture of a breaching humpback whale welcomes visitors to the centre, and depicts the whale Nala who has visited Hervey Bay every year on her annual migration since 1992.
Local Aboriginal legends are woven throughout displays, which explore endangered marine life of the Mary River and the origins of the Macadamia Nut.
The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will display art and photography, with the opening exhibition, All Creatures Great and Small, featuring the work of local artists Hillary Latta and the late Pat Hall.
Image: www.media.australia.com
