Australia · AQUARIUMS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 11 aquarium visits justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Spend a full day exploring SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium beside Darling Harbour. Follow underwater tunnels past sharks and rays, see dugongs feed, search for platypuses, and visit penguins, sea dragons, jellyfish, and Japanese spider crabs. This is a self-guided visit, with no tour guide included.
“It was a great day! We loved the set up of the aquarium”
Spend a day at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium beside the Yarra River. You’ll see more than 10,000 aquatic animals across 12 zones, including King and Gentoo penguins, stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses, elephant sharks, and Pinjarra, a huge saltwater crocodile. Allow two to four hours, then add presentations, touch pools, or the 4D cinema if operating.
“Everything was fantastic to see at the Aquarium. Kids enjoyed all the fish, sea horses, jellyfish and especially the penguins. Amazing. Even had a great cafe with lovely hot chips, reasonably priced. We spent 4 hours there.”
Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour with a pre-booked mobile ticket and a morning or afternoon entry time. See King and Gentoo penguins, sharks, rays, turtles, tropical fish, seahorses, and Pig the rescued dugong. The Penguin Expedition includes a short boat ride through a cool sub-Antarctic setting.
“The penguins exhibit was really fun to watch as well as all the fish & sting rays swimming around me. All the exhibits were well done and informative. We learned a lot about sea life that we did not know before. Glad we went.”
Follow a drop of rain from rainforest streams to mangroves, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Coral Sea at Cairns Aquarium. Your ticket covers more than 70 habitats, 15,000-plus local animals, the oceanarium tunnel, shark and ray feeding, touch tanks, and conservation talks. Allow 1.5 to 3 hours.
“It is an interesting place to visit after our snorkelling experience as we could see more marine creatures just behind the glass partition, and not get wet or have motion sickness. 😉 There are many benches for tired customers to rest before continuing. There was also someone presenting interesting facts regarding sharks and rays. We had 10% discounts from our holiday apartments. There are also discounted rates for pensioners and concession. We spent 3 hours here.”
Spend a full day at Cairns Aquarium, where 10 Tropical North Queensland ecosystems lead from ancient rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef. See sharks, rays, coral, freshwater giants, reptiles, and rare regional species, with daily talks, feeds, and touch-tank encounters. The aquarium is in central Cairns, wheelchair accessible, and costs $41 per person.
“Excellent displays and overall setup. Could easily have spent more time there.”
Spend three hours at Cairns Aquarium after closing, following a wildlife educator through 10 tropical ecosystems as nocturnal animals stir. You may see rainforest species, sharks, rays, and groupers in a quieter setting, then enjoy a three-course meal at the aquatic-themed restaurant. Guides have included Lisa, Michaela, Cameron, and Bradley.
“As this was my first aquarium tour, in my opinion it was brilliant, very educational, and amazing sea life”
Spend an evening at Cairns Aquarium with an English-speaking Wildlife Educator, touring 10 tropical ecosystems after hours. See night coral, rainforest animals, sharks, rays, and groupers, then choose a two-course meal at Dundee’s beside the aquarium tanks. Guides including Lisa, Laura, Jordan, and Michael have earned praise for their clear, lively presentations.
“The tour itself was great - we had a fantastic guide Laura who had the perfect balance of chatting and education while also allowing the audience to wander and experience the tanks on their own.”
Spend the day at Cairns Aquarium, home to 16,000 Tropical North Queensland animals across 71 habitats, then join a 30-minute Turtle Rehabilitation Center tour. Guides such as Brett and Sharlie explain turtle rescue, plastic pollution, and release work. The small group is limited to 10, with tour times chosen when you book.
“Amazing experience! We learned a lot and joined the experience to see the tartlets at the Hospital! All the people working there are passionate and gives you many information. I would recommend of you are in Cairns to visit the aquarium! Thank you! Last note: we visited this year the aquarium of Genova, the Cairns one is far ahead and well organized, congratulations!”
Join Cairns Aquarium after closing for a 1.5-hour English guided walk through 10 tropical ecosystems, from rivers and rainforest to mangroves and the Coral Sea. Your Wildlife Educator may be Daniel, Georgie, Calvin, or Charly. Expect glowing coral, nocturnal rainforest animals, and close views of sharks, rays, and groupers. Dundee’s Restaurant dining is also part of the evening program.
“The Guide (Charly) was so lovely. She made this with so much passion and it was very informativ. She made my evening. The highlight was the sharks and rays. So beautiful. Thanks for this evening.”
Enter Cairns Aquarium after closing for a two-hour guided walk with a wildlife educator. You’ll watch nocturnal fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects become active as daylight fades. Guides such as Christine and Mikayla have led engaging tours, though group sizes can vary. Food is not included.
“Really great tour. The guide was knowledgeable and communicated well with people of varying knowledge levels. The aquarium is very well set up with a good flow to the exhibits.”
Spend two hours inside Cairns Aquarium after closing, guided in English by a professional ecologist. Watch reef fish shelter, nocturnal sharks and rays become active, and reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish change with the fading light. Cameron has led a particularly praised tour. Dinner at Dundee is optional afterward.
“Für meinen Geschmack ein bisschen zuviel geredet,aber sie hat es gut gemacht.”
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