With more than 40 different exhibits and over 4,000 kinds of aquatic creatures, the AQWA - Aquarium of Western Australia offers a remarkable experience and a great way to learn about the marine life inhabiting this part of the country. A vast attraction, it is also home to one of the biggest tanks in Australia, the Shipwreck Coast, holding three million litres of water.
When you enter the aquarium you’ll get to walk through a long transparent tunnel around which you can admire all kinds of animals swimming all around you. You’ll see huge rays, loggerhead turtles, even sharks that reach an incredible four metres long, alongside octopuses and seahorses.
If you’re feeling daring, go underwater with the Reefwalker adventure, in which you’ll get to see an incredible mix of coral selected from the 12,000 kilometres of Western Australia coastline. Keen snorkelers and divers can rent some kit and take to the water with a guide to see the reef sharks up close. For a rather dryer experience, you can stay on the one side of the glass and admire the display.
You’ll find so many more creatures at the Great Southern Coast exhibit, as well as the Perth Coast exhibit where you’ll get to see jellyfish among the many species that inhabit the sunny city’s coastline.
At the Far-North Coast exhibit meanwhile you can find out more about this remote part of the country, exploring the tropical lagoon habitat with its crocodiles and unusual fish. Head to the DANGERzone exhibit to see some of the scarier creatures you might come across in this part of the world, such as stonefish, sea snakes and the blue-ringed octopus. You can even touch some of the safer creatures dotted around the aquarium.
About 22 kilometres to the north of Perth, the AQWA lies next to Hillarys Boat Harbour and is open throughout the year except during public holidays. If you want to get close to the fish and enter the water, it’ll cost you a little extra and you’ll have to book ahead.
