Get up close and personal with the wonders of the underwater world at Sea Life Sydney. From immersive educational exhibits to interactive touch pools and daily feeding sessions, Sea Life is a must-visit destination for ocean lovers. Whether you’re walking through the spectacular ocean tunnel, where you can see sharks and stingrays swim overhead, or observing friendly penguins on a Penguin Expedition boat ride, you’ll get an inside look at over 13,000 marine animals. Sea Life Sydney is a favourite amongst families, tourists, and ocean enthusiasts alike.
Sea Life Sydney’s location and how to get there
Located in Darling Harbour in the heart of Sydney, getting to and from Sea Life is not only easy, but it is also filled with breathtaking views.
- Train: Take the train to Wynyard and walk 13 minutes to Sea Life Sydney. If you’re taking the City Circle loop, you’ll also get a chance to ride past the harbour, where you’ll see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, too.
- Light Rail: Take the L1 Light Rail line and get off at Pyrmont Bay or Convention and walk 10 minutes to Sea Life Sydney
- Car: You can also drive to Sea Life, with various paid car parks located near the aquarium.
Best time of year to visit Sea Life Sydney
As Sea Life Sydney is an indoor aquarium, visiting anytime throughout the year will offer very similar experiences. However, if you’re keen to visit with fewer crowds, definitely consider heading to Sea Life Sydney during the shoulder tourist seasons and after the school holidays.
Between March and May, and September and early November, is the best time to visit Sea Life as these times fall outside of the Australian school holiday period and peak tourist seasons. And to take it further, visit during a weekday for even fewer crowds.
Must-see exhibits and attractions at Sea Life Sydney
- Discovery Rock Pool: No, you’re never too old for rock pools. That’s why the Discovery Rock Pool is definitely a must-visit. Engage all the senses by touching creatures like sea stars and sea cucumbers at this interactive and educational rock pool exhibit.
- Ocean Tunnel: One of the biggest highlights of Sea Life Sydney is the captivating ocean tunnel. Here, you’ll get breathtaking, panoramic views of our favourite marine creatures, like sharks, stingrays, and turtles.
- Penguin Expedition Boat Ride: Included in your general admission ticket, enjoy a unique raft-style ride through a recreated sub-antarctic zone and get up close with King and Gentoo penguins — cuteness, overload.
- Day & Night on the Reef: Walk through the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef display, featuring a dynamic day-to-night transformation that brings reef life to vivid, immersive detail.
- Dugong Island: Meet Pig, affectionately named as such due to his eating habits, at Dugong Island. A cutie with a big appetite? We’re first in line.
Our tips for visiting Sea Life Sydney
- Arrive Early: Visit in the morning (or late in the afternoon) for a quieter experience.
- Get Tickets Online: To save you time and money, grab your Sea Life Sydney tickets online. You can save even further with combo passes, too.
- Don’t Miss the Penguin Expedition: It’s included in your general admission ticket, and it’s a boat ride you don’t want to miss.
- Check Talk and Feeding Schedules: It’s recommended to check these schedules online and plan your day around them.
Love Sea Life Sydney? Here are a few other things to do in Sydney we think you’d love
- Wild Life Sydney Zoo: Right next door to Sea Life is Wild Life Sydney Zoo. Here, you’ll see Aussie icons like koalas, kangaroos and crocodiles up close — perfect for animal lovers.
- Taronga Zoo: A short ferry ride from the city, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, while exploring exotic and Australian animals in naturalistic enclosures.
- Madame Tussauds: Also located right next to Sea Life is Madame Tussauds, where you can pose with life-size wax figures of your favourite international and local stars.
- Australian National Maritime Museum: Explore historic ships, submarines and maritime exhibits at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Very hands-on and educational, making a great spot for kids and history buffs alike.