Entertainment
Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
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SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a public aquarium on the eastern side of Darling Harbour, north of Pyrmont Bridge. It displays more than 700 species and over 13,000 individual fish and other aquatic creatures from Australian water habitats. Themed zones include Jurassic Seas, Discovery Rockpool, Shark Walk, and the world's largest Great Barrier Reef display. You can see one of only four dugongs on display in the world, along with sharks, stingrays, penguins, and tropical fish.
Don't miss
- Dugong Island: home to Pig, the only captive dugong in Australia, with above-water viewing and underwater tunnels
- Shark Valley: a massive oceanarium with lemon sharks and grey nurse sharks, some over 3 metres long
- Great Barrier Reef Oceanarium: the world's largest display of its kind, with 2.6 million litres of water kept at 25°C
- Jurassic Seas and Discovery Rockpool themed zones
- Underwater viewing tunnels in the main oceanariums
- Little penguins habitat in the Southern Ocean exhibit
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inSydney Harbour Sightseeing Highlights Cruise4.4★ · 177 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$26 per personSee dates →
Most bookedSydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour4.7★ · 4,135 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$36 per personSee dates →
Top ratedBlue Mountains Adventure w Scenic World, Zoo, Koala Photo & Ferry4.7★ · 560 travelers~11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$149 per personSee dates →Know before you go
- The aquarium is a full institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
- The aquarium runs a conservation program called 'Breed, Rescue, Protect' and shares information with visitors.
A bit of history
The aquarium opened in 1988 and was designed by Australian architects to resemble a large wave. A Seal Sanctuary opened in 1991, later upgraded in 2003, but closed in 2008 and reopened as Dugong Island. The Great Barrier Reef complex opened in October 1998.
Common questions
How many species are on display?
More than 700 species, comprising over 13,000 individual fish and other sea creatures.
Is there a dugong at the aquarium?
Yes, one dugong named Pig is on display in Dugong Island. It is the only captive dugong in Australia.
Can I see sharks up close?
Yes, in Shark Valley you can view lemon sharks and grey nurse sharks through underwater tunnels. Some sharks weigh up to 300 kilograms.
What is the Great Barrier Reef display like?
It is the world's largest Great Barrier Reef display, with 2.6 million litres of water, a reef theatre, and a glass-bottomed boat tour.
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