Description: Only a short walk from Flinders station this aquarium can be a nice way to spend an afternoon.
It is certainly very well layed out over three levels. This is a relatively small aquarium, but they make the most of their space. For one the educational aspect of this aquarium, it is incredibly fun for kids as the various school groups we saw there would attest too. The exhibits are interactive and you get great views of the fish!
You can do things like view the wordl through the eyes of a fish, find out how hard your lungs would have to work in order to keep up with the gills of a fish, etc.
Both the Mangrove and Billabong exhibits are very impressive and more fun to observe than you'd think. Also on the same level is the Rock Pool where aquarium staff will let visitors touch and even hold things like starfish, sea urchins, and even little sharks.
The oceanarium is cool. You can wall underneath circling sharks and stingrays, view and underwater trench, or even just sit in the middle and watch the fish swim all around you. And don't miss the feeding time.
One thing you should go ahead and give a miss is the simulator at the end. It doesn't simulate anything and really is a big disapointment. It doesn't teach you anything, never once did it make my stomach drop, or even scare me, and really is kind of out of place. Unless they change it sometime in the near future, it's not worth waiting in line for this.
All in all the aquarium is good, but I'd rate as more of a good local attraction as oppossed to an international one. I've visited both the Boston Aquarium and the Shedd Aquarium (Chicago), and this one isn't on the same level as those two.
Visit the their website at www.melbourneaquarium.com.au for a detailed overview.
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