Oceanworld Manly

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oceanworld Manly, or often just Oceanworld, is a small, multi-level, aquarium in Manly, New South Wales, Australia (near the entrance to Sydney Harbour). Its three levels hold many different exhibits including sharks, tropical fish, invertebrates and reptiles.

One of Oceanworld's most famous displays is a 110m shark tunnel through a 5.5 million litre aquarium which holds over 5,000 fish, sharks, stingrays and sea turtles. The shark species include the critically endangered grey nurse shark, wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks and blind sharks.

In addition to the range of marine species, the aquarium is also home to a range of reptiles and invertebrates such as crocodiles, inland taipans, coastal taipans, tiger snakes, brown snakes, death adders, lace monitors, and funnel-web spiders. One display showcases the five most venomous snakes in Australia.

The aquarium has many shows, talks and demonstrations daily including reptile shows and shark feeding. The reptile shows allow the general public the opportunity to touch or hold a range of reptile species, including pythons, crocodiles and lizards. The opportunity to have your photo taken with an animal is offered at the conclusion of each show.

It is also home to Shark Dive Xtreme, the only tourist attraction in Sydney where visitors are guaranteed to dive with sharks, with or without prior diving experience.

Oceanworld Manly is one of the few aquariums in the world that have bred the critically endangered grey nurse shark in captivity. The most recent successful breeding produced a male pup, born on 6 February 2007. The rights for naming the shark were auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the Sydney Aquarium Conservation Foundation. The winners chose the name Murdoc, which is Scottish for 'Protector of the Seas'. Oceanworld Manly has the most successful breeding group of these sharks in the world, and the largest group of Grey Nurse Sharks in captivity in Australia.

Oceanworld Manly also runs programs such as sleepovers, kids club, and birthday parties. It is also a popular venue for private functions.

[edit] External links