Sydney — By Lauren Katulka on February 4, 2010 at 3:12 am
Filed under: aquarium, Family Friendly, featuredarticle

Falling in Love Again with the Sydney Aquarium

Last Saturday I spent my morning at the Sydney Aquarium. I hadn’t visited for years, but the newest residents, the dugongs, lured me back.

The dugongs are Pig and Waru, two orphaned sea cows who came from Sea World on the Gold Coast. Before meeting them I felt dugongs were like ugly dolphins, but it didn’t take long before they won me over. There’s such a beautiful gentleness about these creatures. They’re playful, and surprisingly graceful as they float through the water. You get the feeling that they enjoy watching us as much as we enjoy watching them. My husband and I stayed near them for around half an hour, mesmerised. They really are worthy of the hype.

While they were definitely the highlights of my visit, there was plenty more to get me excited. There seems to have been a baby explosion at the aquarium, with tiny fish, turtles, and even a little saltwater croc on display. At every miniature discovery I melted, deciding that I’d love to take the little creatures home. That might be completely impractical, particularly when it came to the croc, but it amused my husband nonetheless.

Walking through the aquarium is a beautiful and relaxing experience. There’s something so peaceful about aquatic animals. While sometimes I wonder whether caged creatures can be as happy in captivity, you get the feeling here that all the animals are better off. How long would a big barramundi last in the wild after all? While I might wish for it on my plate, I also appreciate the chance the aquarium gives these fish.

If you’ve never been to the aquarium, it’s a tourist attraction I can definitely recommend. And if, like me, you’d just let the years go by, perhaps it’s time you made a return visit.

Trading hours: Open every day from 9 am to 10 pm, except Christmas and New Years Day when the aquarium closes at 6 pm
Location: Sydney Aquarium
Address: Darling Harbour
Public transport: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay, the monorail to Darling Park Station, or a train to Town Hall station
Parking: Receive $12 discount parking when you park at the Entertainment Car Park in Darling Drive, Darling Harbour or Harbourside Car Park at 100 Murray Street, Pyrmont. Simply present your parking ticket to the Sydney Aquarium staff to validate it
Cost: Adults are $31.95, while kids pay $17.95. A range of family passes are also available. Online bookings save 10% on the regular admission price
Website: http://sydneyaquarium.myfun.com.au/index.htm