SEA Life Sydney Aquarium is a must-visit for ocean lovers and curious minds alike. Nestled in the heart of Sydney, this aquatic paradise showcases over 300 species across 9 themed zones. You can explore unique ecosystems, including the world's largest Great Barrier Reef display, and meet fascinating marine creatures like the dugong, a close relative of the manatee. Engage with interactive exhibits, watch the mesmerizing dance of jellyfish, and walk through oceanarium tunnels as sharks glide overhead.
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Essential Information
Things to know
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 2 hour |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | December to February |
| 💜 Must see: | Great Barrier Reef Oceanarium |
| 🎟️ SEA Life Sydney Aquarium tickets | AU$40.80 |
| 🚇 Closest Light Rail Station | Convention Centre or Pyrmont Bay stations |
Sydney Aquarium Opening Hours
Daily 10 AM to 5 PM
Highlights
Jurassic Seas
Day and Night on the Reef
Penguin Expedition
Shark Valley
Sydney Aquarium Address
1-5 Wheat Rd,
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Get There
Why visit SEA Life Sydney Aquarium ?
- SEA Life Sydney is pinned as one of the best aquariums in the world by Headout!
- It is home to Dugongs who were once belied to be mermaids by seafarers. Also did you know the largest population of Dugongs are found in Australia?
- The architecture of the aquarium resembles a large wave. It took nearly 2 years to build this.
- You can walk through 100 metres of glass tunnels in the floating oceanarium while sea animals swing all around you.
- This aquarium is the perfect edutainment experience for your little ones. Here, children can immerse themselves in the wonders of the deep, learn about coral ecosystems, and appreciate marine biodiversity through engaging, educational programs.
Recommended tickets to SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Animals to lookout for at SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
- Majestic Weedy Sea Dragons, endemic to Australian waters.
- Playful penguins waddling and swimming in their icy exhibit.
- Colorful clownfish nestled amongst vibrant anemones.
- Stealthy octopuses camouflaging within their environments.
- Giant rays soaring gracefully in their tanks.
- You will also find Nemo (Clown Anemonefish), and Dory (Blue Tang).
- Encounter giant predators like the Grey Nurse Shark.
- Other noteworthy fishes include Unicornfish, Harlequin Tuskfish, Little Penguins, and jellyfishes.
Exhibits at SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
1Day and Night on the Reef
This zone is a mini version of the aquatic ecosystem in the Great Barrier Reef. You will see a vivid display of over 500 sea creatures in a 1.7 million litre display from the Great Barrier Reef. This immersive display offers a rare glimpse into the cyclic nature of this majestic ecosystem, demonstrating its beauty at all hours.
2Penguin Expedition
Watch Sydney’s only sub-Antarctic penguin colony as they waddle and swim. The display is inspired by Macquarie Island home to the King and Gentoo Penguins. Kids will also be taught about pollution and its direct impacts on the natural habitats of these species.
Did you know? Gentoo penguins are the fastest species of penguin with an astounding speed of 36 km/h in the water!
3Shark Valley
Face your fears at the depths of the Ocean in the Shark Valley. You will get to view some of the world’s largest aquarium sharks first hand, including the mighty Grey Nurse Sharks.
4Dugong Island
Get the chance to meet Pig, the famous Dugong. Walk through the tunnel as Pig swims around you. The other sea animals at Dugong island are White Spotted Eagle Rays, Bamboo Sharks and dozens of species of fish.
5Discovery Rockpool
Discovery Rockpool is the most fun of all the zones since you meet the sea animals without a barrier. The Rockpool expert makes a trivia about the various shore animals such as sea stars, shark eggs, shells and sea urchins in the touch pool.
6South Coast Shipwreck
Want to see the incredibly popular colony of Little Penguins? Head to South Coast Shipwreck. The cheeky little penguin crew will slip, slide and swim right in front of you. Meet Mr Black, Spinner and Raptor, who consider themselves the Kardashians of the colony.
7Sydney Harbour
Discover the species that are native to one of the most iconic harbours in the world, Sydney Harbour. Get to see water animals such as Water Dragon, Lionfish, Boxfish, and Old Wife.
8Jurassic Seas
Dive deep into the depths of the ocean to see where life began. At Jurassic Seas, you will get to see the weird and wonderful living fossils. It gives you a great opportunity to see in awe, the mysterious evolution of life. Catch a glimpse of hagfish, lungfish, octopus and mudskipper in this inspiring zone.
Dine and Wine at Sydney Aquarium
Dine and wine, surrounded by hundreds of vibrant sea life at the Sydney Aquarium Dinner. Private dining at Sea Life Sydney is a one of a kind experience that entails a self-guided tour of the aquarium along with a private three-course intimate dinner with drinks. Dine at the Great Barrier Reef while looking at marine life through a floor-to-ceiling glass barrier - the Sydney Aquarium Dinner is a must try!
SEA LIFE Glow
Image Courtesy: SEA Life Sydney Aquarium Website
Fancy partying in the ocean? You can at the Aquarium Sydney! SEA Life Glow is an adults-only event that happens after dark where the venue transforms into a glow-in-the-dark affair with pop up bars, food stations and entertainment. Get ready to be greeted with cocktails and sip them as you enjoy the world of glowing corals, bioluminescence & sea creatures. Shake a leg and rave the night away at this one of a kind underwater world party!
Visiting Sydney Aquarium
Practical Information
Sydney Aquarium Opening Hours
- SEA Life Sydney Aquarium is open daily.
- The timings keep varying but on an average the aquarium operational between 10 Am and 5 PM. Check timings here.
Getting to Sydney Aquarium
By Bus
Get down at Kent St after Market St and walk 5 minutes towards Darling Harbour. The aquarium is right next to the harbour.
By Train
The nearest Train stations are Town Hall and Wynyard. Both are 10 minutes walk to the aquarium.
By Ferry
Get down at Darling Harbour, Pier 26. Sydney Aquarium is 2 minutes walk from the pier.
Best time to visit SEA Life Sydney
Mornings are the best time to see the sea animals if you want to avoid crowds. Avoid weekends and public holidays. December to February is summertime in Australia and the weather would be perfect for a family visit. Booking your Sea Life Sydney Aquarium tickets is highly recommended to avoid waiting time at the venue.
Handy Tips for your first visit to SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
- It is one of the most frequented attractions in Sydney. Hence, make sure to purchase your Sea Life Sydney Aquarium Tickets beforehand to avoid waiting time.
- The aquarium is wheelchair accessible throughout.
- Free entry to carers or essential companions is offered by SEA LIFE Sydney.
- Don’t forget to say Hi to Pig, the Dugong!
- Assistance animals for people with visual imparities is allowed.
- You can purchase gifts and souvenirs for your kids and loved ones at the venue’s gift store.
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium Reviews
The aquarium was fun as always, maybe a bit too crowded for comfort, but manageable. Got the tickets on headout the night before and they were $10 cheaper than on the aquarium website. Then had a little fright that they weren't legit because they said 2 adults, 1 child, when the email confirmation clearly said 1 adult, 2 children.. But we had no worries getting in, so it didn't seem to matter.
I got to bust a move with the turtles, sharks and jellyfish and it was surreal. The crowd was fun and friendly. The staff were all smiles. I was a happy anemone. Highly recommend a visit during the day and a dance at night.
Things To Do Near Sydney Aquarium
1Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of Sydney. It is also called the Coathanger, for its arch-shaped design and is the world’s tallest steel arch structure. You can also climb to the top of the 134-meter bridge with Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb. The sight exposes panoramic views of the city, Sydney Opera House, Sydney central business district and Sydney’s beautiful skyline.
2Sydney Opera House
Another iconic landmark that most people around the world distinguish Sydney with, Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre. The building hosts 1,500 performances annually and is visited by more than 1.2 million people. It is estimated that approximately 350,000 visitors take a Sydney Opera House guided tour each year.
3WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo
Wild LIFE Sydney Zoo was opened in 2006 in Darling Harbour and is home to a wide range of exotic and native species. Over 2000 animals including Tasmanian Devils, saltwater crocodiles, Kangaroos, and Koalas can be found here. They are spread across 10 distinct zones where you get to watch and walk along with the animals. Talks, feeds, and shows go on throughout the day. It makes for the perfect sea like and land animals visit when combined with Sea Life Sydney.
4Museum of Contemporary Art
MCA Australia strives to display to the world that contemporary art matters. The collections stimulate the imagination and creativity of the visitors and have the power to transform lives through art. They conduct a diverse program of exhibitions and special events. It is located on the spectacular Sydney Harbour and inspires you with every display.
5Sydney Tower Eye
See the bird’s eye view of Sydney at the Sydney Tower Eye. The observatory stands at 250 meters tall and offers breathtaking views, up to the Blue Mountains. The tower is also known for a 4D cinematic experience which you must visit. It is built to withstand extremely stressful wind conditions as it features 56 cables to stabilize the structure. You can catch spectacular views of the sunrise or sunset with Sydney Tower Eye Tickets.
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium FAQs
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