UnderWater World Sea Life Aquarium at Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia is a marine mammal park, oceanarium and wildlife sanctuary. Underwater World is an institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA). The attraction is a Sea Life Centre owned by Merlin Entertainments, and is globally referred to as Sea Life Mooloolaba by the firm.
History
UnderWater World officially opened in 1989.
Several scenes in the Jackie Chan 1996 film Police Story 4: First Strike were shot in the park, including a scene in the main aquarium. In one of the scenes a tourist family is visible in the reflection on one of the tanks.
During the period of Christmas on 2006 UnderWater World had a Giant Squid preserved in a block of ice on display.
In July 2013, UnderWater World's owners, Merlin Entertainments, announced that they would be spending $6.5 million on the refurbishment of the facilities. As part of the process, the aquarium was rebranded as a Sea Life Centre and relaunched in December 2013.
Exhibits
- Sharks Alive
A moving walkway in a 80-metre (260Â ft) shark tunnel under the 2,500,000-litre (660,000Â USÂ gal) oceanarium takes visitors past several viewing windows, with fish swimming all around the walkway. The exhibit includes three separate habitats: coral reef, cave and open ocean. Its residents include rays, moray eels, grey nurse sharks, sandbar whalers, whitetip reef sharks, and zebra sharks.
In November 2011, the shark tank and moving walkway were closed for an upgrade.
- Seal Island
There are about seven seals at UnderWater World, one New Zealand fur seal, two Australian fur seals and four Australian sea lions which make up part of the Seal Island Exhibit.
- Crawly Creatures
This exhibit is an interactive journey from land to deep sea. It features the world’s largest marine, land and migratory crab species. Species of crabs in the exhibit include giant Japanese spider crabs, robber crabs (also known as coconut crabs) and Christmas Island red and blue crabs.
- Other exhibits
UnderWater World is also home to a fresh water Crocodile.
Shows and talks
UnderWater World presents seal shows and wildlife information talks, and has hands-on marine displays. Shows at the park include:
- Seal Shows in the Seal Cove
- Otter Shows
- Stingray Reef talks
- Shark guided tours
Conservation
UnderWater World is a rehabilitation centre for turtles, dugongs, dolphins and seals.
References
External links
- Media related to UnderWater World Sea Life Aquarium at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website