The Aquariums Guide

Introduction
You’re at Hillarys Boat Harbour, 20 minutes north of Perth CBD. Salt air, fishing boats, and cafes line the marina. You walk through AQWA’s doors and the city disappears. Suddenly you’re in a recreated shipwreck with fish darting through portholes. Two minutes later, you’re under a 98-meter tunnel as 3-meter sharks pass overhead. Another turn, and a leafy seadragon is hovering like something from a fantasy book.

That’s AQWA – Perth, Australia.

AQWA means Aquarium of Western Australia. It opened in 1988 as Underwater World and became AQWA in 2012. Address: Hillarys Boat Harbour, West Coast Drive, Hillarys WA 6025. Inside: 400+ species, 6,000+ animals, 3 million liters of water, and 11 themed zones. It’s WA’s largest aquarium and the only one focused entirely on Western Australia’s marine ecosystems.

AQWA – Perth, Australia is not trying to be Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China. Chimelong is the world record-holder at 75.35 million liters with whale sharks inside a spaceship-shaped complex. It’s about scale and spectacle. AQWA – Perth, Australia is about bioregional storytelling: Southwest Rivers → Shipwreck Coast → Coral Coast → Ningaloo Reef → Deep Ocean → Conservation.

For families, tourists, school groups, and Perth locals, it’s a rainy-day plan, educational hub, and conservation center. Plan 2.5-3.5 hours. In this guide, we’ll cover six main zones + FAQ: Southwest Rivers and Shipwreck Coast, Coral Coast and Ningaloo, Oceanarium Tunnel, Shark and Ray Bay, Behind-the-Scenes and Animal Care, Conservation, Education, and Visitor Planning, and FAQ.

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H2: Southwest Rivers and Shipwreck Coast: From Freshwater to Wreck Dives

An image/photo of the Shipwreck Coast exhibit at AQWA – Perth, Australia, with freshwater fish, coral, and a recreated shipwreck

You start where Western Australia’s water begins: rivers and coast.

Key attractions in this section:

1. Southwest River Tank: Freshwater fish from WA’s southwest rivers like marron, pygmy perch, and nightfish. Signs explain how river flow affects coastal ecosystems and why catchment health matters.
2. Shipwreck Coast Exhibit: A recreated 19th-century shipwreck surrounded by coral and reef fish. It’s modeled on WA’s 1,600+ shipwrecks along the coast.
3. Seagrass and Kelp Forests: Temperate tanks with kelp, seagrass, and fish from Rottnest Island and Marmion Marine Park.
4. Indigenous Sea Country: Panels include Noongar and Yamatji perspectives on coastal and river systems. It adds cultural context to marine science.

Why this aspect is notable:
Most aquariums start with tropical reef. AQWA – Perth, Australia starts with temperate and freshwater because WA’s coast is 12,000 km long and biogeographically unique. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China is all tropical, all scale, AQWA shows how WA’s southwest rivers feed the Indian Ocean. It’s regional identity first, and it gives visitors context before the reef.

Read more: Shipwreck Coast at AQWA: WA’s Maritime History Underwater

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H2: Coral Coast and Ningaloo: Tropical North Meets Temperate South

An image/photo of the Coral Coast exhibit at AQWA – Perth, Australia, with tropical fish, coral, and Ningaloo species

From temperate south, you move north to tropical WA.

Key attractions in this section:

1. Coral Coast Tank: A tropical reef tank with coral, clownfish, angelfish, and tangs from Kalbarri to Shark Bay.
2. Ningaloo Reef Exhibit: Ningaloo species including butterflyfish, parrotfish, and reef sharks. Ningaloo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest fringing reefs.
3. Leafy Seadragon: Leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques, are WA marine icons. AQWA – Perth, Australia is one of few facilities to display them long-term.
4. Coral Propagation: Aquarists maintain coral nurseries and explain coral bleaching and restoration.

Why this aspect is notable:
WA has both temperate and tropical reefs in one state. AQWA – Perth, Australia is the only major aquarium to show that transition. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China focuses on pelagic giants, AQWA focuses on WA’s reef diversity and fragility. It’s education you can’t get in one dive trip, and it prepares you for Ningaloo or Rottnest.

Read more: Ningaloo at AQWA: Coral, Seadragons, and Climate

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H2: Oceanarium Tunnel: 98 Meters of Sharks, Rays, and Turtles

An image/photo of the Oceanarium tunnel at AQWA – Perth, Australia, with sharks and rays swimming overhead

This is AQWA’s signature experience.

Key attractions in this section:

1. 98-Meter Walk-Through Tunnel: A 3-million-liter tank with a 98-meter acrylic tunnel. Sandbar sharks, grey nurse sharks, rays, and green sea turtles swim above you.
2. Sandbar Shark Science: Sandbar sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, are common in WA waters. Keepers explain shark behavior, buoyancy, and conservation.
3. Sea Turtle Rescue: Green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, are often rescued and rehabilitated at AQWA before release.
4. Daily Dive Talks: Divers enter 2-3 times daily to feed fish and talk via underwater mics. You can ask questions while sharks circle behind them.

Why this aspect is notable:
A 98-meter tunnel is one of Australia’s longest. It gives you time to observe, not just a quick look. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China uses volume to overwhelm, AQWA – Perth, Australia uses length and duration. It’s immersion without leaving Perth, and it’s accessible for all ages.

Read more: Inside AQWA’s Oceanarium: Sharks, Turtles, and Dive Talks

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H2: Shark and Ray Bay: Hands-On Learning with Ethics

An image/photo of the Shark and Ray Bay touch pool at AQWA – Perth, Australia, with cownose rays and bamboo sharks

After the tunnel, you get close, but responsibly.

Key attractions in this section:

1. Shark and Ray Bay Touch Pool: Cownose rays, Rhinoptera bonasus, and bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium punctatum, in a shallow pool. Staff supervise “two-finger touch”.
2. Ray Anatomy: Signs show ray spiracles, electroreception, and wing movement. You learn how rays “fly” through water.
3. Bamboo Shark Eggs: Mermaid’s purses or shark egg cases are on display. Staff explain shark development.
4. Conservation Messaging: Every session ends with “why we protect sharks and rays” and plastic reduction tips.

Why this aspect is notable:
Touch pools can stress animals. AQWA – Perth, Australia designs short, supervised sessions with animal welfare first. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China is view-only, AQWA balances interaction and ethics. It’s education you can feel, and it’s safe for kids.

Read more: Shark and Ray Bay at AQWA: Touch, Learn, Protect

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H2: Behind-the-Scenes and Animal Care: Life Support and Science

An image/photo of the behind-the-scenes lab at AQWA – Perth, Australia, with aquarists and life support systems

Most aquariums hide the engineering. AQWA opens it up.

Key attractions in this section:

1. Life Support Systems: 3 million liters are filtered, heated, chilled, and circulated 24/7. Protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, and biofilters run constantly.
2. Vet and Quarantine: AQWA has an on-site vet clinic for sea turtle rehab and fish health. New animals are quarantined before joining exhibits.
3. Food Prep: Aquarists prepare 100+ kg of food daily. You see how diets are tailored for sharks, rays, turtles, and seadragons.
4. Water Testing: Salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrite, and temperature are tested hourly. It’s science in real time.

Why this aspect is notable:
Transparency builds trust. AQWA – Perth, Australia shows how care and science work. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China is spectacle-focused, AQWA shows the work behind the tanks. It’s education + accountability, and it’s rare in city aquariums.

Read more: Behind-the-Scenes at AQWA: Life Support and Animal Care

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H2: Conservation, Education, and Planning Your Visit to AQWA

An image/photo of the exterior of AQWA – Perth, Australia at Hillarys Boat Harbour

AQWA – Perth, Australia is tourism + science + WA advocacy.

Key attractions in this section:

1. Marine Conservation: AQWA supports sea turtle rescue, shark research, and plastic reduction. Visitors can adopt a turtle to support field work.
2. Research Partnerships: AQWA – Perth, Australia works with UWA, DPIRD, and marine parks on WA species breeding and monitoring.
3. Education Programs: School programs, marine science camps, and sleepovers reach 40,000+ students yearly.
4. Visitor Essentials: Address: Hillarys Boat Harbour, West Coast Dr, Hillarys WA 6025. Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, later in holidays. Adults $39, Kids $23, under 4 free. Book online for discounts. Plan 2.5-3.5 hours. Best time: 9:30 AM on weekdays. Combine with Hillarys Marina or Rottnest ferry.

Why this aspect is notable:
AQWA – Perth, Australia is WA-focused and conservation-led. While Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China is a global destination, AQWA is a local institution that Perth families actually use. You get rivers, shipwrecks, Ningaloo, and sharks without leaving Hillarys.

Read more: Complete Guide to Hillarys: AQWA + Marina + Rottnest Trips

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AQWA – Perth, Australia won’t match Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China on 75.35 million liters or whale sharks. It doesn’t need to.

It gives you Southwest rivers, shipwreck coast, Ningaloo reef, a 98-meter Oceanarium tunnel, hands-on shark and ray learning, and behind-the-scenes science, all in Hillarys. It’s Western Australian, accessible, and conservation-focused.

Come for the sharks. Stay for the seadragons. Leave knowing why WA’s 12,000 km coast matters.

Which zone would you visit first at AQWA – Perth, Australia: the Oceanarium, Ningaloo, or Shipwreck Coast? Comment below — and tell us your favorite WA marine animal!

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FAQ: AQWA – Perth, Australia

1. How long do you need at AQWA? Plan 2.5-3.5 hours. Add 30 mins for a behind-the-scenes tour.
2. Can you see whale sharks at AQWA? No. Whale sharks are at Chimelong Spaceship Aquarium – Zhuhai, China. AQWA focuses on WA species.
3. Is AQWA good for kids? Yes. Touch pools, shipwreck, and dive talks are kid-friendly. Stroller access is good.
4. What’s the best time to visit? 9:30 AM on a weekday for fewer crowds.
5. How much are tickets? Adults $39, Kids $23, under 4 free. Book online for 10-15% off.