Now, Google street view explores underwater images from Sydney Harbour

Even as Tony Abbott's Great Barrier Reef policy allows for mining and expansion of coal facilities in what is now one of the 'Seven Wonders of the Natural World', Google takes a bold plunge into the waters of down under to bring you brilliant images as part of its Google Maps services.

In collaboration with the Catlin Seaview Survey, Google will be providing underwater sea view pictures from Great Barrier Reef. Confirming this on an official blogpost, Google stated that Sydney's underwater world will be available on street view on Google Maps. "Since the Catlin Seaview Survey first collected underwater imagery of the Great Barrier Reef, they’ve traveled to many other underwater spots around the world to collect a baseline photographic record of the marine environment. Now, they’re teaming up with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science to record and reveal the marine life along Sydney’s famous Harbour and coastline, from Manly to Bronte," they revealed.

"The project uses Catlin Seaview Survey’s 360-degree panoramic SVII camera to gather the imagery, which will be published to Google Maps later this year," Google explained. "We hope this new Street View imagery not only advances important scientific research, but also inspires people to learn more about the beautiful—and delicate—ecology of Sydney Harbour and our local beaches," they added.

Get the complete experience here.

(Image source: Google blog and screenshots of street view)