Gladstone couple, Terry and Kym Purcell, today vetoed the daily housework to “hail” the world’s first rideshare submarine experience on the Great Barrier Reef.
Three days after watching the launch of scUber on the Australian news, avid diver Terry Purcell surprised his wife of 32 years with the once-in-a-lifetime experience. His mission was to show her the underwater world that he passionately loves.
“I’ve been diving on the Great Barrier Reef since I was seven years old and the reef around Heron Island is the most wonderful spot in the world,” said the 54-year-old owner of Purcell’s Engineering in Gladstone.
“Today is really about my wife. She does not have a diver’s certificate. She snorkels but it’s not the same. With this (scUber), she can experience the reef first-hand and see it close up.”
“Besides, who else do you know who can say, ‘I hailed a submarine’?”
Terry set his alarm clock early and was on the Uber app by 7:30 am to request the On Demand ride when it opened to the public for the first time.
Within minutes of entering “Great Barrier Reef” into the Uber app, a submarine icon popped up on his screen followed by the arrival of a colourful Great Barrier Reef-branded Tesla. The Tesla transferred the couple to Marine Helicopters at Gladstone Airport for a scenic flight to Heron Island and the one-hour underwater scUber experience.
Commenting on the experience and the $3000 price tag, Terry said “It’s an absolute bargain. You can’t put a cost on this. For my wife to be able to see the reef at 18 metres below sea level and to see the bottom of a true coral atoll like I do when I dive was just magic.”
When asked what else he would have been doing if he wasn’t on scUber, the retired company owner said, “probably the housework.”
Tourism and Events Queensland, in partnership with Uber, announced the launch of scUber, the world’s first rideshare submarine experience on May 23.
For a limited time only, scUber riders will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exquisite beauty of the Great Barrier Reef – all without the need for a snorkeling mask or a diving license!
The scUber experience will be available starting on Heron Island, off the coast of Gladstone in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region from May 27, before moving to Agincourt Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef region from June 9. Availability is strictly limited.
The scUber experience includes:
- Pickup from your location with the Uber app;
- Return scenic helicopter ride to either Heron Island (for riders requesting from Gladstone) or the Quicksilver Cruises pontoon off the coast of Port Douglas (for riders requesting from Cairns, Port Douglas and Palm Cove);
- One hour ride in a scUber submarine;
- Return trip back to your original pickup address with Uber.
To celebrate the launch, Queensland and Uber are offering this exceptional bucket-list experience to one lucky winner and a friend from each of the following countries: USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and Australia. To enter the competition, go to scUberQueensland.com and explain in 25 words or less why you should experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef with scUber. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information on scUber, the consumer competition and partnership between Queensland and Uber, visit: www.scUberQueensland.com .
