april-2013

takeoff » spotlight on
aquarium
of western
australia
This Perth attraction hasn’t
lost any of its charm even as it
turns 25
If you can’t slot in a full day’s
dive while in Perth, the
Aquarium of Western Australia
(AQWA) is a great one-stop survey of
marine life, summing up the state’s
coastal and coral reef systems in over
40 live exhibits.
Covering the state from one end
to the other, each themed section
showcases different underwater
realms and their inhabitants, from
the Great Southern Coast’s curiouslooking
seadragons to the Perth
Coast’s drifting moon jellyfish and
beyond. AQWA is also home to
Australia’s largest underwater tunnel,
the Shipwreck Coast, where sharks,
turtles, stingrays and vibrant schools
of fish glide around you in 3 million
litres of Indian Ocean water.
Little ones will enjoy handling and
petting creatures like starfish at
AQWA Marmion Marine Park’s
Touch Pool and taking a close
peek at the occupants of Stingray
Bay. Those with extra time and
cash to spare can sign up for the
interactive Reefwalker tour, and
wade among the corals or snorkel
with nurse sharks in the Shipwreck
Coast aquarium.
The attraction will be celebrating
its Silver Jubilee with a treasure hunt
from 13 April to 7 May, when eagleeyed
visitors can stand a chance to win
a prize, including a 1kg silver bar, on
each of the 25 days of the celebration.
12
AQWA
is home to
Australia’s
largest
underwater
tunnel
For packages and more information, visit
aqwa.com.au
Words: CHERYLENE CHAN