Back to other Famous Aquariums

The Sydney Aquarium is renowned as one of the largest aquariums in the world, and is very popular among both tourists and local residents of all ages. The aquarium’s exhibits take visitors on an exploration of Australia’s major water systems. The exhibits display the largest collection of native Australian species in the world, with over 11,500 creatures representing 650 species.

Opened in 1988, the aquarium offers visitors an understanding of the Murray Darling River system. Over 1 million square kilometres, it is the largest drainage system in Australia. Exhibits feature a cross-section look at a river and wetland, home to 28 species of fish not found anywhere else on the planet. The Southern Rivers exhibit features platypus, Murray cod (the largest freshwater fish on the continent), birds, lizards and turtles. The Northern Rivers exhibit shows off the barramundi, lungfish, and the largest reptile in the world, the saltwater crocodile.

The Southern Oceans exhibits are kept cooled to suit animals like the giant cuttlefish, the weedy sea dragon, and the fairy penguins, which are a perennial favorite among children. The Open Ocean Oceanarium is an enormous tank visitors can walk through via underwater tunnels. The oceanarium is home to the world’s biggest collection of sharks, but features many more animals as well, such as stingrays, and schools of fish including snapper and kingfish. The endangered grey nurse sharks are huge, with some over 3 metres long and weighing over 300 kilograms.

The Seal Sanctuary in this section opened in 1991 and is a visitor favorite. The sanctuary features four species: the Australian Sea Lion, New Zealand Fur Seal, Australian Fur Seal and Subantarctic Fur Seal. These playful animals can be watched from a deck or from an underwater tunnel where only glass separates viewers from the seals’ fun. The exhibit is called a sanctuary because the aquarium takes in wild seals that are injured or stranded, as well as seals that other aquariums or zoos no longer want.

The Northern Oceans exhibit features the Great Barrier Reef display, nearly 2 million litres of water full of hard and soft corals, tropical fish such as colorful triggerfish, “Finding Nemo” clownfish and tangs, angelfish, lionfish and sharks. Other reef creatures live here too, like lobsters, sea anemones and sea cucumbers.

Kids and adults alike enjoy the two touch pools at the aquarium, where visitors are able to get up close and hands-on with ocean creatures. The daily Live Feeds are also exciting to watch. Feeds are conducted twice a day and the schedule changes daily, so check the times and exhibits for the feedings. Live Feeds are not conducted on public holidays. The aquarium hosts excursions for schools too, as well as private birthday parties.

For hungry visitors, the Aquabar & Grill, Midway Café and Outdoor Piazza offer wonderful food options, from fresh pastries to sandwiches to nachos, along with other snacks such as Italian gelato and a variety of beverages.

Aquarium admission is AUD$27.50 for adults, $14.00 for children (additional children $12.00). Family tickets are available. Seniors $17.00, students with ID $19.00. The Sydney Aquarium is open daily from 9:00am to 10:00pm, closing at 6:00pm on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. It is located at Aquarium Pier, Darling Harbour, Sydney. Phone: +61 2 8251 7800. www.sydneyaquarium.com.au.