Sydney Aquarium

Opened in 1988, the Sydney Aquarium is one of the largest Aquariums in the world and ranks with other leading aquariums such as those in Monterey in the USA and Osaka in Japan. It is Sydney's premier tourist attraction with over 55-60% of its visitors each year coming from overseas.

Designed by Australian architects and taking nearly two years to build, the Aquarium is in the shape of a large wave, thereby complementing the underwater theme of the Aquarium itself and also the maritime theme of Darling Harbour. The Great Barrier Reef complex which opened in October 1998 continues this same theme.

The Sydney Aquarium can immediately be recognised as Australian in terms of its clear themes and displays, which take visitors on a journey through the continent's rich and diverse waterways and marine ecosystems. Visitors travel through the rivers of Australia, exploring the Southern and Northern River habitats, as well as the oceans of Australia, through the Southern and Northern Ocean habitats.

Local and overseas visitors become aware of the complex and fragile nature of Australia's very different and unique aquatic environments.

Some of the displays are featured in the main exhibit hall and others are housed in floating oceanariums. The Open Ocean exhibit is a massive oceanarium, amongst the largest in the world, and comprises underwater tunnels allowing visitors to glimpse Australia's famous marine life at very close quarters. In the Open Ocean Oceanarium, Sydney Aquarium houses the largest collection of sharks in captivity. Huge sharks, many of which have been at the Aquarium since before it opened, weigh up to 300 kg and are over 3 m in length.

For further information, please visit sydneyaquarium.myfun.com.au