SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium: Our Fin-tastic Experience
Sharks overhead, penguins on ice and a seat on every floor, all a short walk from Southern Cross.
We added SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium to our list of Melbourne outings, and it turned out to be an easy one to share. Everything is indoors, there is somewhere to sit on each level, and you can go as slowly as you like.
We watched sharks glide above us, hunted for Nemo and Dory, and spent a good while with the seahorses. Dad also questioned whether the crocodile was real. Here is what we saw, what it costs and how to make the day comfortable.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
What we saw inside
The tunnel and the Bay of Rays
Night on the Reef is the tunnel, and it is a good one. Sharks glide overhead, sea turtles paddle past and the fish carry on as if you are not there. The zone plays with bioluminescence, so expect changing light and moving projections.
The Bay of Rays is a nod to Port Phillip Bay. We watched Fiddler rays and Port Jackson sharks cruise by, and it was easy to forget we were standing in the middle of the city.
Terrie’s review
It’s been many years since I visited the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. A train trip to Southern Cross, then as it was a nice day and feeling fit, we walked from the station to the Aquarium (which may not have been a good idea as there is quite a lot of walking to get around the Aquarium too… Might catch a tram next time!)
The Aquarium itself is totally amazing. It is so interesting to go from one display to another. I really love the “tunnel” where the fish swim over your head and you can see right underneath the various fish, turtles, sharks, and stingrays. So many amazing moments.
I loved the sea horses. Such a wonderful view of the 3 varieties, I got some awesome photos. The jellyfish display was a spectacular sight. And who can resist the very popular penguins?
Visiting the Melbourne Aquarium on a weekday, not during school holidays, was good in that it wasn’t too crowded. We had the opportunity to take our time and really enjoy watching all the amazing life underwater!
As seniors, it was a wonderful excursion and I’m so glad Melbourne has this to offer. It could be even more fun taking grandchildren next time.
– Terrie
Seahorses, jellyfish and the Australian animals
At Seahorse Pier we came right up close to seahorses and sea dragons, which look more like drawings than real animals. The jellyfish are transparent and squishy and oddly hypnotic. In the Australian animals section you will find lungfish, turtles, snakes, lizards and frogs.
The newest zone is Rocky Shores, a rockpool area with sea stars and crabs, built with younger visitors in mind. If you are bringing grandchildren, it is worth checking what is on during your visit.
Penguins
King and gentoo penguins live in the Penguin Playground, which has real snow and ice. Pesto, a king penguin chick hatched in January 2024, is the aquarium’s resident celebrity, and probably has a bigger following online than I do. Penguin talk and feed times vary, so ask at the entrance or check the aquarium’s website.
The crocodile
On our 2024 visit the resident saltwater crocodile was Pinjarra, and he barely moved. Dad was cheeky enough to ask whether he was real. I rolled my eyes, but I will admit the croc did nothing to help its case.
The aquarium now has a new saltwater crocodile called Coowonga, with underwater viewing windows as well as a lookout above. A croc talk runs daily at 11.30am, and feeding happens on Wednesdays only. The aquarium notes that times can change, so check on the day.
Chris’ review
“Immersion” seems to be a fairly popular buzz-word for attractions at the moment.
In my mind, the Melbourne Aquarium is the closest thing to a real immersion without actually getting wet and, if you think your grandkids will be interested in things piscatorial, the Aquarium is the place to go.
Set up so well for children, exciting, interactive and educational, the Aquarium brings all aspects of aquatic life up close.
The most exciting thing for an old fisherman like me was seeing wonder in the young people’s eyes as they watch the many different varieties of fish cruise by.
– Chris
Tickets and discounts
Booking online in advance is the cheapest way in, and the aquarium recommends it because it often reaches capacity on mornings, weekends and school holidays. Prices below are the aquarium’s “from” prices for online bookings outside school holidays and can rise with demand.
- Adults: from $39 online, with on-the-day prices up to $54 in busy periods
- Seniors Card/Concession: from $34 online
- Children aged 2 to 15: from $25
- Children under 2: free
All general admission tickets include a Digi Photo Pass, so your entry photos are available to download.
An annual pass is available from $99 for a new SEA LIFE Melbourne pass, which makes sense if you plan to bring the grandchildren a few times. A Merlin Annual Pass and gift vouchers are also sold, and pass holders need to pre-book each visit.
The Melbourne Big Ticket combines the aquarium with LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne from $64 per adult online. Note that adults can only enter LEGOLAND with a child.
If you want something extra, the aquarium offers experiences such as Penguin Passport on the ice, Jelly Lab, behind-the-scenes tours and private dining. Shark Dive Xtreme starts from $360 and runs on weekends.
Related reading: 15 Best Discounts Using Your Seniors Card: Melbourne Attractions
Tidbits for Visiting SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
- Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, or up to 3 if you want to catch talks and feeds.
- The quietest time is a weekday outside school holidays, after 2pm. Last entry changes by day, so check the opening hours page before you go.
- Weekends and school holidays can get crowded, especially in the morning.
- There is seating on every floor.The cafe serves hot food, fresh salads and drinks. You can also bring your own food, though staff cannot heat or store it.
- The cafe and gift shop are cashless. You can visit the gift shop without an entry ticket.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking inside the aquarium.
Melbourne Aquarium Accessibility
- Every floor is reachable by lift or ramp, and wheelchair and scooter users have full access to the exhibits included in general admission.
- We noticed the lifts were very busy with parents and prams at times. Using the ramps at quieter periods is often easier.
- Wheelchairs can be borrowed from the admissions area, first come, first served. They cannot be reserved, and you will need to leave ID. There are no mobility scooters to borrow.
- Accessible toilets are just after the entrance, near the exit by the gift shop and on each level. Changing facilities are in the accessible bathrooms.
- Carers holding a WeCare or Companion Card get free general admission. The carer ticket must be booked online in advance.
- Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome. The aquarium suggests contacting them at least two days before your visit.
- Noise-cancelling headphones are available at entry, subject to availability. Lighting, music and scents vary through the aquarium, and Night on the Reef has moving projections that may affect people sensitive to flashing or moving light.
- Some extra experiences are not wheelchair accessible because of stairs or narrow walkways, including Jelly Lab, Penguin Passport and Glass Bottom Boat.
Getting there
Train: The aquarium is about a 10-minute walk from Flinders Street or Southern Cross stations. Terrie walked from Southern Cross and found the day a lot of walking in total, so a tram might suit you better.
Tram and bus: Tram stop 2, Melbourne Aquarium Flinders Street, is directly out the front and serves routes 70 and 75 and the free City Circle tram. Buses 216, 232, 235, 250, 302 and 605 also stop nearby.
Driving: There is no public parking at the aquarium. The aquarium recommends Secure Parking at 522 Flinders Lane, about 240 metres away. Collect a ticket on entry, have it validated at the admissions desk, then use both tickets at the boom gate. Discounted rates are $22 on weekdays and $9 on weekends and public holidays, subject to availability.
Book a weekday afternoon, wear comfortable shoes and leave yourself time in the tunnel to watch what swims past.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
King St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: 1800 026 576 | www.melbourneaquarium.com.au
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The Seniors in Melbourne team visited as guests of SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. All views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
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