HISTORY, drama, strange creatures and natural beauty; the Coral Sea will unearth its secrets to motivate the public to protect it at an exhibition and special performance next week.

Marine campaigner for the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre Steve Ryan, dressed as the heroic Captain Flinders, said the exhibition, Our Coral Sea: The Story, The History, will bring tales from whaling to whale-watching and many characters who have voyaged the deep.

"We realised the Coral Sea is quite remote and a lot of people don’t know its history as it relates to Queensland and Australia," Mr Ryan said.

"It has great historical and natural values. I grew up hearing the stories of how my grandfather, a veteran of World War I, was glued to the radio during the battle of the Coral Sea."

What Mr Ryan didn’t know was the role played by Captain Matthew Flinders who was travelling on the Porpoise in 1803.

Shipwrecked on a sandy cay, Flinders was the first to suggest its name.

Part of the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign that calls on the Federal Government to establish a highly protected marine park in the Coral Sea, the exhibition will run from November 22 to 24 at the Centre for Contemporary Arts.

A special performance will be staged on November 23 between 6.30pm and 9pm.

Look out for Saturday’s Weekender and an interview with underwater photographer and documentary filmmaker Xanthe Rivett who has been on expeditions in the Coral Sea.

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