A $100,000 hi-tech video wall will take people from the Cairns Esplanade to the depths of the Great Barrier Reef without leaving dry land.

A Cairns Regional Council committee will today vote on whether to progress with plans for a huge interactive flatscreen at the Esplanade Lagoon that would allow passers-by to explore the Reef using latest web technology and their smartphones.

The innovationhas been given the seal of approval by the region's peak tourism body, TTNQ, which sees potential in the software.

"TTNQ has been embracing new technologies such as this as they will shape the future of promoting tourism in our region," chief executive Rob Giason told the council.

The video wall will allow people to dial into the display and use their mobile phones to control Reef fish on the screen and explore the habitat.

Users can capture pictures of their faces and transpose them on to sea creatures then send screenshots via social media.

About $13,800 has been spent developing the software and the council would have to spend another $87,000 for development and installation.

Cr Richie Bates, whose division takes in the Esplanade Lagoon, backs the plan.

"We're always looking for quality ways to improve the Esplanade precinct and make it more innovative," he said.

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