In the heart of Melbourne, Australia, people are always coming in to witness the unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. This aquatic haven offers a unique blend of entertainment, education, and conservation, captivating visitors of all ages.
Delve into the distinctive attractions that make Melbourne Aquarium a must-visit destination with Newztrail. Read below to find out the unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne that you can enjoy.
Unique Attractions of Sea Life Melbourne
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is a captivating destination that houses a diverse and mesmerizing collection of marine creatures. Visitors to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium can embark on a fascinating journey through 12 themed zones, each showcasing a different facet of the underwater world.
Penguin Playground
One of the most unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne is the Penguin Playground, where guests can meet two distinct species of penguins – the King and Gentoo penguins. The King penguins exude vibrancy with their impressive stature and majestic nature. Gentoo penguins charm visitors with their curious and outgoing personalities and are the fastest underwater swimming birds globally.
The Jelly Lab & Ocean Invaders
This section features displays of various jellyfish species, interactive activities, and educational facts about these gelatinous jellyfish. The Moon Jellies display a unique flower pattern on their heads, creating a fascinating spectacle when they consume food.
The White Spotted Lagoon Jellyfish, photosynthetic in nature, pulse constantly as they catch their prey, while the Blue Blubber Jellyfish, with its cauliflower-like tentacles, differs from conventional jellyfish species. The Upside Down Jellyfish is particularly noteworthy for its photosynthetic behavior and ability to stay in place using its bell as a suction cup.
Sharks, Bay of Rays
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium also introduces visitors to a diverse array of sharks, such as the Port Jackson Reef Sharks, known as Bob, Spot, Splits, Kinky, and Trio. These nocturnal sharks, exclusive to southern Australia, have a unique ability to rest at the bottom rather than continuously swim.
The Fiddler Rays are harmless creatures with a banjo-like shape, found along the eastern and southern coasts of Victoria. The Necklace Carpet Shark, affectionately named Catdog, boasts a distinctive neck pattern and engages with guests during feeding sessions.
Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodile Lair
One of the excellent unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne is Pinjarra, a colossal male Saltwater Crocodile measuring about 6 meters and weighing over 750kg. At 65 years old, Pinjarra also plays a vital role in educating visitors about the ecological significance of Saltwater Crocodiles and the imperative need for conservation.
Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Sea Life Melbourne Tickets and Passes
Seahorse Pier
The aquarium’s charm extends to the enchanting Leafy and Weedy Sea Dragons, masters of mimicry adorned with seaweed-like appendages that enable them to blend seamlessly into their leafy surroundings. They also move with a swaying motion, mimicking seaweed caught in a current.
Giant Cuttlefish, akin to squid and octopus, showcase alien-like features and unique adaptations. These creatures utilize incredible color and texture changes for mating displays, mesmerizing prey, and evading predators. Cuttlefish can perfectly camouflage into their surroundings despite being color blind.
Sea Stars, Mangroves and Rockpools
SEA LIFE Melbourne introduces visitors to Sea stars, part of the invertebrate species, which have no backbone. Sea stars can be found in diverse ocean habitats, including rockpools, reefs, sea grass, and even at depths of 9000 meters below the sand.
Oceanarium
At the heart of Sea Life Melbourne lies the Oceanarium, an expansive exhibit that provides visitors with an immersive experience of the ocean’s vastness. The 2.2 million-liter tank houses a diverse array of marine life, including sharks, rays, and countless species of fish.
The walkthrough tunnel offers a 360-degree view, allowing visitors to feel as though they are submerged in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by mesmerizing aquatic creatures. Some of the unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne here include Australian Mado, Bluestripe Snapper, Golden Trevally, Stingrays, and even Electric Rays.
Coral Atoll
The aquarium also introduces visitors to the vibrant and diverse world of fish, featuring iconic species such as Clownfish (anemonefish), Blue Tang, and the visually striking Lionfish. Each of these species boasts unique adaptations, behaviors, and ecological roles within their respective marine environments.
Rainforest Adventure
As visitors traverse through the Rainforest Adventure, they encounter a diverse array of wildlife, from colorful tropical fish to fascinating reptiles. The Lungfish, often described as a ‘living fossil,’ boasts ancestors dating back over 100 million years, predating the era of dinosaurs. It is one of the unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne. This species of freshwater fish is renowned for retaining primitive characteristics, including the ability to breathe air—making it the only fish with such a capability.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is also home to five species of freshwater turtles: Longneck, Shortneck, Mary River, Murray River, and Pig-nosed Turtles. Visitors can encounter these adorable creatures in the Rainforest Walk on Level 1.
Read More: A Comprehensive Guide for Tours at Sea Life Melbourne
Top Unique Attractions of Sea Life Melbourne – Wonder Room
The newly introduced Interactive Wonder Room at SEA LIFE Melbourne is a cutting-edge digital installation that draws inspiration from the graceful movement of the underwater world. It is one of those unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne that no one should miss. In this innovative space, visitors can engage in a hands-on experience by coloring their own jellyfish on interactive screens. They can also see their jellyfish float in the aquarium.
Interacting with the captivating and unique animals and various unique attractions of Sea Life Melbourne, visitors get an immersive experience with some of Australia’s most fascinating marine creatures. Book your tickets now for such an amazing day at Melbourne Aquarium.
