SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the city's top attractions
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is one of the world's largest with an amazing 13,000 animals representing 700 different species in a total of 14 themed displays representing different regions and habitats.
Displays are divided between exhibits inside the main building and two huge floating oceanariums that are filled with seawater from Darling Harbour and maintained at a precise temperature. One of these is home to the world's largest population of sharks that are in captivity with some weighing in at nearly 300 kilograms.
Exhibits focus on marine life in and around Australia and include the tropical Bay of Rays, Discovery Rockpool, Sydney Harbour and the largest Great Barrier Reef display in the world. You should allow no less than 90 minutes for your visit.
If you dare, you can walk above huge sharks on the Shark Walk or you can descend down into Shark Valley where you will be greeted with the skeleton of a huge whale, crumbling ruins of an ancient stone temple and a wide array of sharks and rays.
Other remarkable sea-life that you will witness up close include two of only six dugongs on display in the entire world, massive stingrays, platypuses, turtles, penguins and, of course, a huge assortment of tropical fish.
For an additional fee visitors to the aquarium can enjoy the experience of a lifetime. Choose from the Glass Bottom Boat Tour, the Shark Reef Snorkel Experience or a small group Behind the Scenes Tour. Please see the official website for more information and pricing on these options.
The aquarium is involved in all kinds of marine research both on its own and in co-operation with major universities.
Nearby attractions: Darling Harbour, Madame Tussauds, Imax Theatre, Wild Life Sydney and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Address: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9333 9200
Official Website: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Reviews
Rated out of 5![]()
It was such a beautiful walk around Sea Life. It's a lot bigger than you think from the outside. The underwater experience is spectacular. We spent hours in there. I would avoid school holidays though, we went during the week non-school hols and it was still busy. But no queues. Get the deal for Madame Tussauds too. Very affordable!
Pepper Blakemore - a week ago
I went with my mum, sister and sisters best friend and had the best time. I’ve loved the ocean for as long as I can remember and this was 100% the happiest day of my life. I saw some of my favourite sharks too! One of the staff complimented my outfit when i was buying a shark keychain too! Every staff interaction I had was amazing.
mahli mcclure - a week ago
The cheapest place to purchase tickets is online. Tickets are cheapest when purchased the day before you want to go. If you wait to purchase tickets online on the day of your visit, tickets cost more. Tickets are the most expensive when purchased at the attraction. You can also purchase a multi-attraction pass as this company owns Madame Toussards wax museum and an animal zoo beside the aquarium.
Good rainy day activity. We visited during a rainy weekday in August and it was busy. There were lots of fish and sea creatures. Children will love it. There were more exhibits than I expected. I have been to better aquariums but for the price, it was good.
J. M. - a week ago
Of course Number One in Oceania and One of the most beautiful in the world !!
Many sharks and rays you can experience in the underwater tunnels and a bench of incredible tropical fishes.
I have visited 3 times, more or less every decade as I can’t imagine passing from beautiful Sydney without spending a couple of hours in this temple of Pacific underwater wildlife.
Definitely one of my top 5 in Sydney !!
Francois Boulenger - 2 weeks ago
One of the attractions we visited during our family trip. We visited on a weekday afternoon and it wasn't crowded.
The experience was really amazing, with a lot of marine life species and creatures to see. You get to see fish - from small to big, octopus, star fish, turtles, and the adorable penguins. They do have a penguin expedition but timings are restricted to morning and afternoon, I guess 10.30 am and 3 p.m.
It's advisable to purchase the tickets in advance, which also saves you some amount. There's also a virtual reality experience present towards the end and a souvenir shop too.
We loved the experience and it's a definite visit when in Sydney.
Vinayak Shenoy K - a month ago
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Directions
| Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Light Rail | L1- Pyrmont Bay or L2 - Town Hall | 10 minutes |
| T1, T2, T3 or T4 | Town Hall | 10 minutes |
| Ferry | Darling Harbour Aquarium Wharf | 1 minute |
How to get to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium by
By Light Rail L1 Exit at Pyrmont Bay and cross Murray Street and walk across the Pyrmont Bay Bridge. The Aquarium is located on the pier immediately north of the east end of the bridge.
By Train or Light Rail L2: From Town Hall Station go north to Druit Street and proceed west watching for the pedestrian ramp off to your right. Follow the ramp to the harbourside and go left (south) along the harbour.
You can also access SEA LIFE Syndey via pedestrian ramps by walking west along Market Street or King Street from the CBD.
By Ferry: Take a Darling Harbour Ferry from Circular Quary Wharf 5.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium:
Photo Gallery
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A frog blending with its habitat at the Sydney Aquarium cc licensed photo by corrieb -
Photo Credit: Travolution360 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: D-Stanley - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Sidneiensis - cc license via Flickr

