Published August 13th 2009
The brightly coloured
Melbourne Aquarium is located a hop, skip and a jump from Southbank on Flinders Street. It has a new Antarctica exhibit with Australia’s only
King and Gentoo Penguins.
Start your visit in Antarctica
, viewing the penguins dive and waddle in their icy new home. Children stand spellbound, watching King Penguins, with their bright yellow colouring walking towards them. Don't miss the underwater viewing area, where the penguins serenely glide by your eyes.
Then journey to the Weird and Wonderful exhibit and gaze at gliding Sea Dragons, pregnant Sea Horses, Stone Fish and other wacky creatures. The next stop is River to Reef
with the beautifully illuminated Sea Jellies and interactive displays.
Sharks Alive is the final and most exciting destination with a huge oceanarium filled with Giant Sting Rays, Grey Nurse Sharks and Sea Turtles. Adrenalin junkies can take the plunge inside the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium and come face to face with Sharks and Rays.
For those who prefer to sit and observe, there are talks and feedings every half an hour. There’s also a café with pleasant views across Southbank, as well as a huge coral atoll filled with tropical fish. For the kids, there’s a play area to keep them happy and a shop with everything from squishy Sea Jellies to fish painted shot glasses.
For more information on upcoming events, such as Friday night drinks at the end of May and Breakfast with the Penguins click here.
Why? A family friendly experience, fish galore
When: Open every day of the year: 9:30am-6:00pm
Where: Corner of King and Flinders Street, Melbourne
Cost: $31.50 for adults, $18 for children and $85 for families
