AQWA – Under Water World

 91 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025, Australia +61 8 9447 7500 Website 10am – 5pm Perth Campervan Hire

steambeach (contributor)

15.000 kms of Western Australia’s coastline are represented in the basins of the aquarium, from the tropical North to the chilly Southern Ocean. Further details on the AQWA website.

Ever wanted to see a Leafy Sea Dragon?

See my travelogue page for more pictures. There is also a video of the Leafy Sea Dragon on my Perth page.

Entrance fee: $ 26 for adults.

headereczema (contributor)

One of the must visited place if u r in WA is the underwaterworld near Hillary’s Harbour known as AQWA.

My husband & I take a trip there using the ever realiable public transport.

It’s very suitable for family with children to expose them to the marine life. We have the opportunity seeing the divers being blocked by a number of huge stingrays during the shark feeding time in the fish tank.

Dont forget your camera as u maywant to snap a photoe of the huge lobsters and some other exotic marine creatures which may only be found in OZ.

Generally, its a different kind of experience at AUD25 per pax!

HOW TO GET THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT????
Take a train on Joondalup Line to Warwick Station.
Hop onto bus No. 423, tell the driver where u r going. The bus driver will then call out loud when the bus arrived at the AQWA stop

NOTE: Do check the transperth website for changes before u decide to follow this route.

cleatsoccurs (contributor)

With 12,500 kilometres of coastline, Western Australia has a wonderfully diverse marine world to explore. The magical underwater world of aqwa is a great place to begin. As well as tanks and exhibits devoted to all the different marine habitats to be found along the coastline, from the chilly waters of the Southern Ocean to the tropical seas of the Far North, there’s a touch pool of fishy creatures, rare Australian fur seals and sea lions in an outdoor pool area, and a moving walkway that takes you on an underwater voyage to see the huge variety of marine life that inhabits the waters and reefs immediately outside the aquarium. Sharks, turtles and great winged rays glide right over your head as the walkway takes you around through the tunnel.

My absolute favourites are the leafy sea dragons, found only in the southern waters of the Great Australian Bight and surely one of the strangest fish you’ll ever see, drifting silently in their tank with an extraordinary ethereal beauty all their own.

Not everything in this silent world is so harmless though – you’ll also see tiny – and absolutely deadly – blue-ringed octopus, and the unprepossessing – and just as deadly – stone fish – two of the more lethal residents of this coastline.

Feeding-time in the tunnel is fun to watch as divers enter the tank and hand feed the rays, sharks and turtles.

Last time I was there with visitors from interstate, we were fortunate enough to be there as a mother humpback whale and her calf decided to come close enough to the shore for us to see them really clearly – a great end to a fishy day.

oryxtrinket (contributor)

This aquarium complex is located at Hillary’s Boat Harbour. Apparently it is the largest aquarium in the whole of Austraila, which has the typical submerged underwater tunnel. It has a wide variety of Australian fish and coral reefs. Nice close-ups of big sharks as well.

This complex also has a touch pool, where you can put your hand inside the aquarium and stroke turtles, rays and sharks that are harmless. And there are entertaining shows by bottlenose dolphins and seals!

New activities have been introduced at this aquarium including opportunities to dive/snorkel with sharks, which I think is cool stuff! For more info, go to their website.

Try to be here a little early as this place can get very crowded, especially during summer.

cuerashes (contributor)

A trip to Hillary’s Boat Harbour isn’t really complete without popping in to Underwater World! This is a very family-orientated aquarium. Kids will love the ‘petting pool’ where you can (gently!) stroke starfish and other creatures.

The highlight would have to be the giant aqarium “tunnel”. You can walk through the tunnel and it’s like being under the sea! At certain times of day divers come down to feed the creatures that live there and interact with sharks and giant stingrays.

This summer (2005), Underwater world is running a special program for children. Kids can sign up for a ‘slumber party’ in the aquarium tunnel where they get to see all sorts of creatures and learn about them, as well as play games and watch movies. In the morning they have breakfast and go for a walk along the beach. It’s a great educational and fun activity which also gives the adults a bit of time to themselves. Contact AQWA for more details.

Entry for adults/students/kids is $23.50/$17.50/$13.00. You can also buy a family pass for $65.

AQWA is open daily 10am-5pm.

bivytackling (contributor)

To me, it looked like the Dolphin was smiling here, because at the end of the show, the beach pier fenced in arena gate is opened he and his companions can return freely to the sea. All the free fish must be good incentive to stick around, because they all return for the next show when the whistle is blown to summon them (they’re probably smart enough to know the schedule off by heart by now anyway). I was really happy at this turn of events, as I much prefer to see animals wild and free, and it made the show much more enjoyable. I could enjoy it with clear conscience, knowing these magnificent creatures weren’t being kept in a small pen in captivity with their normal hunting instincts suppressed.

dartfordinver (contributor)

Sea World is a great attraction, right on the beach at one of Perth’s nice sea side suburbs, close to the city.
I enjoyed the great performance put on by the dolphins, who really did seem to be showing off and enjoying themselves!

forelimbbampot (contributor)

Hillarys Boat Harbour and Underwater World
See the dolphin show, visit the acrylic tunnel to see the sharks and thousands of sea creatures. Pet some fishes in the petting pond, or see divers feed the fish at various time of the day.
Classification: Museums , Site Seeing

walkingcoach (contributor)

Underwater World
See over 2,000 marine animals including huge sharks in the Underground Journey and a huge view off ocean life at the end. Sadly, about three days after I was here, all three of the dolphins mysteriously died…Later it was found to be a result of a ‘red tide.’

Latest Images of AQWA, Perth