Thursday, July 21, 2011

Plan A Visit To The Sydney Aquarium

By Howard Rudd


Since it opened in October 1988, the Sydney Aquarium has been educating visitors on the wonders of the flora and fauna that make up the aquatic ecosystems inland and off the coast of Australia. With its unique architecture, the building appears to rise like a wave from Darling Harbour on its perch north of Pyrmont Bridge.

Habitat exhibits are arranged according to geographical location. The aquatic complex is divided into areas that explore the Northern and Southern river habitats in addition to the oceans that surround Australia. The main exhibit hall contains a number of displays but there are many others that have been incorporated into floating oceanariums.

The most popular animal featured in the Southern Rivers area is the enigmatic platypus, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The Murray Darling River System is the largest such ecosystem in the country and many of the fish species are unique to this geographical area. Living with the platypus are other regional creatures including freshwater crustaceans, water dragons and side-necked turtles.

Northern Australia is home to rivers that exhibit fresh water characteristics when it is rainy but then fill with salt water from the coast when the season is dry. Adapting to this change in salinity is something that many species of fish and animals that live there are able to do. The Barramundi is a large sport and food fish that has this rare ability to reside in an ever changing environment.

Also popular with visitors is the Southern Oceans display with its system of tunnels that run underwater and offer great views of the undersea world. Get up close and personal with a multitude of fascinating sea creatures and take time to explore the Sydney Harbor display, the Seal Sanctuary, and the Open Ocean Oceanarium.

Floating on the ocean's surface, the Seal Sanctuary is home to a population of fur seals from New Zealand, subantarctic seals and sea lions. Viewing platforms on an open deck look down onto the seals as they interact with each other. Visitors can also watch them play from the underwater tunnels that travel under the habitat.

The aquarium is especially proud of the Open Ocean Oceanarium, which represents the largest exhibit of its kind anywhere. Gigantic stingrays, large fish species and the world's largest collection of captive sharks can be found swimming through the waters here. At 3.5 metres long, some of the Grey Nurse Sharks are the largest species in this exhibit.

Arguably the most famous northern oceans feature off the coast of Australia is the Great Barrier Reef and this unique and magnificent habitat has been faithfully recreated at the aquarium. The brilliantly coloured inhabitants of this two million litre habitat can be seen swimming among the spectacular hard and soft coral formations and anemones. Sea cucumber and sea stars creep slowly along the ocean bottom. The diversity of species found in the reef is unmatched by any other ecosystem on Earth. The Reef Theatre features massive windows that reach from floor to ceiling and offer a glimpse into this wonderful underwater world.

The Mermaid Lagoon is home to a pair of orphaned Dugongs that are favorites for many aquarium visitors. Also known as sea cows, these gentle creatures feast on sea grasses and local legend claims that these beasts were sometimes mistaken for mermaids by European sailors when they traveled through the oceans off the continental coast.

Check out the Sydney Aquarium for a fascinating look at the world under the sea.




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