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.
Themes and Displays
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 Seal Sanctuary and Open Ocean exhibits comprise two massive oceanariums, amongst the largest in the world, and have 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.
Seal Sanctuary
In December 1991, the first Seal Sanctuary was opened. Since then, Sydney Aquarium has upgraded the facilities and a new oceanarium to house our seals, opened in September 2003. This sanctuary features Australian Fur Seals, Sub-antarctic Fur Seals, and New Zealand Fur Seals.
The Sydney Aquarium is committed to providing sanctuary to injured or stranded seals or unwanted seals from other establishments. In this floating oceanarium, the playful antics of the seals can be seen below the water's surface from underwater viewing tunnels, and from above on our open-air deck.
The Seal Sanctuary has now been incorporated into the Southern Oceans exhibit, which also features fairy penguins, the Open Ocean Oceanarium, and our Sydney Harbour displays.
Great Barrier Reef Complex
In October 1998, the Great Barrier Reef complex opened. This complex comprises a tropical touch pool, a live coral cave, coral atoll, two circular gateway displays and a massive Great Barrier Reef oceanarium.
Over 6,000 animals are housed in the oceanarium which contains 1.75 million litres of water. The water is filtered at a rate of 28 litres per second - a total of over 400,000 litres per hour. An air-lift filtration system has also been installed. Together they filter a massive 600,000 litres per hour. Water is pumped from Darling Harbour, filtered and heated before it flows into the Oceanarium and adjoining display tanks.
The water is kept at a constant temperature of 25°C. The Oceanarium is 33 m long and 13 m wide, with a total area of about 370 sq m and a water depth of 4.5 m.
Visitors complete their journey through this complex in the spectacular reef theatre where activity in the coral canyon can be observed through a huge window - 7 m x 4 m, 26 cm in thickness - a truly thrilling experience.
Research and Conservation
Commitment to conservation and environmental awareness is a recurrent and special theme throughout the Sydney Aquarium. It is reflected in the research assistance offered by the Aquarium. To date facilities and/or assistance have been provided to many research institutions including the University of Sydney, the University of New South Wales, the La Trobe University, the University of Indiana, the Australian Museum, the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service and the New South Wales Fisheries Research Institute.
Sydney Aquarium has assisted by providing holding facilities for animals used in many research projects carried out by these organisations. In recent years, the Aquarium has been involved in the tagging of sea turtles, collections for research and the holding of invertebrates for research. Other projects include the effects of heavy metal contamination in marine environments and fish tag longevity on rays.
Education
The Aquarium's education department liaises with schools, developing teaching and student packages for class visits to the Aquarium. This material is available free of charge. As one of the most popular school excursion venues, the Sydney Aquarium endeavours to foster young people's interest and respect for Australian aquatic life, reinforcing its commitment to conservation through education. Opening Times
9am - 10pm every day of the year
Average Visit Time
1 - 1.5 hours
No. of Visitors
More than 1.25 million people visit Sydney Aquarium each year.
Location
On the eastern (city) side of Darling Harbour, to the north of the Pyrmont Bridge.
Easily accessible by walking, train,
ferry, monorail and bus.
Access
Walk
5 - 10 minute walk from the CBD down Market Street
Monorail
Darling Park monorail station
Train
A short walk from Town Hall station
Ferry/Charter Boats
Disembark Aquarium Pier
Sydney Explorer Bus
Stop 22
Important Dates
The Sydney Aquarium opened on 13th July 1988
The first Seal Sanctuary opened in December 1991
The company publicly listed on the ASX in June 1993
The Great Barrier Reef complex opened in October 1998
The new Seal Sanctuary was opened in September 2003
Capacity
1,000 visitors per hour
Area of Exhibit Space
4,000 square metres comprising a main exhibit hall built on a pier in Darling Harbour, 2 large floating oceanariums attached to the pier and an adjoining Great Barrier Reef complex
Volume of Water in Oceanariums
• Open Ocean Oceanarium: 1,250,000 litres
• Seal Sanctuary: 1,500,000 litres
• Great Barrier Reef Oceanarium 1,650,000 litres
Exhibit Areas
RIVERS OF AUSTRALIA
Southern Rivers
Platypus Habitat
Murray Darling River System
Northern Rivers
Saltwater Crocodile
Barramundi
OCEANS OF AUSTRALIA
Southern Oceans
Penguin Habitat
Seal Sanctuary
Sydney Harbour
Open Ocean Oceanarium
Northern Oceans
Great Barrier Reef Oceanarium
Number of Species
and Animals
Over 12,000 all Australian aquatic
animals of 650 species.
Facilities
• Aqua Bar and Grill
• Aqua Gift Shop
• Aqua Snacks Café
• Children's Playground
• Guided Tours
• Fuji Shop
• Gelato Shop
• Functions
• Wheelchair accessible with wheelchairs available from Information Desk
• Baby change facilities
• Disabled toilets
• Public phones
Architects Philip Cox, Richardson, Taylor & Partners Pty Ltd - original Building.
Peter Reed & Associates Architects and Diane Bernstein - Design for Great Barrier Reef complex.
Building information Date started: May 1987, completed July 1988
Cost including furnishings: $30 million
Great Barrier Reef complex completed October 1998
Cost: $14 million
The Sydney Aquarium Press Kit information is available in several languages. Click on the PDF files below to download. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
