Melbourne Aquarium, VICTORIA
Airing Date: Feb 7th, 2005
The Melbourne Aquarium was opened in January 2000 as a total entertainment facility, showcasing the creatures of the Southern Ocean. Visitors can travel through billabongs, rock pools, a transparent tunnel surrounded by sharks and giant stingrays, and finally go right off the deep end into the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.
The aquarium is built to a depth of 20 metres beneath the surface of the Yarra River, and approximately 550 species and more than 10,000 animals call the Melbourne Aquarium home.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued the aquarium permits to take specified numbers of the nominated species from the waters in and around Victoria. Rare and endangered species are bred at the aquarium, except for the Grey Nurse Sharks which were flown in from UnderWater World on the Sunshine Coast, where they were born.
Visitors to the aquarium can view the marine life from the safety of the tunnels, handle certain animals in the child friendly touch pool or take part in fish feeding.
It's also possible to swim with the sharks. The whole diving experience takes about one and a half hours, which includes about 45 minutes of training/preparation and 45 minutes of being in the water.
The diving tank is home to the fully mature sharks, including three grey nurse sharks and five seven-gill sharks. The smaller and less intimidating sharks in this tank include five Port Jackson sharks, six wobbegong sharks, four swell sharks and four gummy sharks.
The facts
Qantas will fly you one way to Melbourne from $107 ex Sydney, $163 ex Brisbane and $239 ex Perth. Prices available online only and include charges / taxes.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Stay at the Crown Promenade Hotel. Packages start from $220 per double per night including breakfast.
Crown Promenade Hotel
Tel: 1800 776 612
Entry to the Melbourne Aquarium costs from $23 adult per adult and $13 for children. The Shark Dive starts from $124 for certified divers and $264 for non-divers.
Melbourne Aquarium
Tel: 03 9923 5999
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 07/02/05
