Aquariums
Zoos | Aquariums | Sanctuaries | Theme Parks | Other Attractions
Melbourne Aquarium
Right next to the Yarra River and partly underground is the Melbourne Aquarium. While the aquariums of northern Australia show off the brightly coloured fish and corals of the tropics, this aquarium shines a spotlight on the creatures of the Southern Ocean and Victoria’s inland waterways. Take a fascinating journey into the depths of the deep blue ocean, past rockpool and mangrove habitats, and a display of jellyfish, then through a tunnel for a close-up encounters with sharks, stingrays and multitudes of fish. At ‘Fishworks’ you can interact with the fish, and for those missing the colours of the tropics there is an impressive floor-to-ceiling coral display. Don't miss the Antarctica display featuring King and Gentoo penguins, where you can see the penguins swimming and sliding across snow-covered ice.
Melbourne, Victoria
Reef HQ Aquarium, Townsville
The headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this underwater observatory is visually breathtaking. It has the largest ‘captive’ reef in the world, and you can get up-close with the touch pools, see marine feedings or chat with divers as they swim with the sharks.
Townsville, Queensland
Sydney Aquarium
The Sydney Aquarium is world famous for its diverse marine life. Highlights include the fabulous underwater tunnels where you can walk with the stingrays and stroll with the sharks. There is also a Great Barrier Reef exhibition that is pure magic, as well as the Seal Sanctuary, where you can watch the seals flirt and frolic all around you.
Darling Harbour, Sydney
Seahorse World
Seahorse World began as a farm for breeding seahorses in an attempt to stop these creatures being taken from the wild. Seahorse species, seadragons, pipefish, endangered Tasmanian fish and the deadly blue ringed octopus are now kept in the aquariums. There is also a touch pool and maritime history displays.
Beauty Point, Tasmania
Platypus House
Right next to Seahorse World is Platypus House. This centre has three distinct animal sections, one with platypuses and echidnas, another with 38 species of Tasmanian butterflies, and the third with many Tasmanian creepy crawlies; leeches, blood-sucking worms and spiders–oh my! Like Seahorse World, this centre is doing its best to protect the environment. Scientists here are currently conducting research into a disease which is attacking the Tasmanian platypus population.
Beauty Point, Tasmania
AQWA
AQWA is Australia’s largest aquarium and houses the greatest collection of Western Australian marine species in the world. AQWA is separated into 5 distinct regions ranging from the icy waters of the southern ocean to the tropical wonderland of coral reefs in the far north. If you feel like an adventure you can join AQWA's dive master to explore the reef and encounter sharks, stingrays, turtles and thousands of other fascinating fish species in the Indian Ocean aquarium. AQWA is the coolest way to experience the mysterious and beautiful world of Western Australia's oceans.
Hillarys boat harbour, Perth
