Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and its collection

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, opened in 1988, is an aquarium in Sydney, Australia.

The aquarium shows over 700 species and more than 13,000 individual animals, drawn from most Australian water habitats. Its displays trace the continent's rivers and oceans, covering southern and northern habitats alike.

History

Construction took close to two years and the aquarium opened in 1988, its Australian architects shaping the building like a big wave to match the maritime theme of the harbour. The first Seal Sanctuary opened in December 1991, and an upgraded seal oceanarium followed in September 2003.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include Jellyfish, Turtles, Rays, Little Penguins and Tropical Reef Fish.

Exhibits

Themed zones include Jurassic Seas, Discovery Rockpool and Shark Walk, along with the largest Great Barrier Reef display anywhere.

Things to do

Things to do include Penguin Expedition Boat Ride, Shark Dive Xtreme, Penguin Encounter, Signature Dining and Dugong Discovery Talk.

Conservation and approach

It has supported research at the University of Sydney, UNSW, La Trobe, Indiana University, the Australian Museum, Queensland NPWS and the NSW Fisheries Research Institute. Its charity, the SEA LIFE Trust, has supplied holding facilities for research animals.

What the venue says

• An onsite café is available for visitors looking to grab refreshments or a bite to eat during their visit.
• While SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium doesn't have its own on-site parking, we offer discounted rates at several nearby Wilson Parking locations in the Sydney CBD. By pre-booking online or via the Wilson Parking App and using the promo code MERLIN, you can park all day for as little as $12.
• The venue is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restrooms, and seating arrangements.