Aquarium of Western Australia

AQWA is a marine aquarium at Hillarys Boat Harbour, north of central Perth. Its exhibits follow Western Australia's coastline from the cool south to the tropical north, so the smaller habitat rooms matter as much as the headline tunnel. AQWA opened as Underwater World Perth in 1988. Today the Shipwreck Coast aquarium holds three million litres of seawater around a nearly 100-metre underwater tunnel. More than 45 exhibits introduce native marine life, with scheduled talks and feeds adding context. Choose AQWA for a structured look at the state's varied seas in one visit. The aquarium is ticketed; the surrounding public harbour is a separate destination with its own businesses and hours.

Start with the four coastal zones. Great Southern Coast focuses on cold-water species such as leafy seadragons. Shipwreck Coast has the large tank and a moving walkway through its underwater tunnel. Perth Coast covers nearby reefs and seagrass habitats; Far North and Coral Coast turns to tropical reefs and mangroves. After the main route, look for the living-coral and seagrass galleries, Coral Conservatory and outdoor Touch Pool. The Touch Pool allows gentle contact under staff guidance. The Turtle Rescue Centre explains rehabilitation, but feeding or behind-the-scenes encounters there require a separate booking. Standard admission includes the exhibit route, a guide map and scheduled Ocean Guide talks and animal feeds. Check the talk times on arrival if one is important to you.

Allow about two hours for the aquarium route. Add time for a scheduled talk, the living-coral galleries or a child who wants to revisit the Touch Pool. This is a planning estimate, not a required stay. AQWA says standard entry remains valid throughout the opening day, and you may leave and return if you keep the ticket. A ninety-minute visit can cover highlights, but it leaves little room for interpretation or a feed. Count a meal or walk at Hillarys Boat Harbour separately from your aquarium time. If AQWA is your second stop of the day, check its seasonal closing hour before you commit to another activity; the same ticket does not extend access past closing.

AQWA's closing time changes with the month. The published hours are 09:00–16:00 daily from March through November and 09:00–17:00 daily in December and January. In February, the aquarium closes at 16:00 on weekdays and 17:00 on weekends. It closes on Christmas Day, 25 December; AQWA says other Australian public holidays are open. For a quieter visit, AQWA recommends arriving after 13:30 because mornings are busiest. School and public holidays may be louder and more crowded. An afternoon visit gives you less time before the 16:00 close in most months, so balance quiet against the length of your visit. Check the day's notice and talk schedule before travelling.

AQWA listed standard adult entry at AUD 37 when checked on 9 October 2026. That is an adult price; children, concessions and separately booked experiences have different terms, so confirm the current ticket category before paying. Standard tickets are sold online or at the gate and cover more than 45 exhibits, a guide map, and scheduled talks and feeds. The ticket is valid for the opening day, with re-entry allowed when you keep it. Online purchase does not provide a faster queue: AQWA says it has no skip-the-line option and may pause entry at capacity. A glass-bottom boat, Behind the Scenes Pass and shark activities need separate bookings. AQWA also says a carer with a valid Companion Card enters free alongside a paying client.

AQWA's entrance is at 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys WA 6025, inside Hillarys Boat Harbour. AQWA estimates the drive from central Perth at about thirty minutes, but allow for actual traffic. Harbour parking is free for four hours; spaces may be scarce during school holidays. The entrance and exit have ramps, and a lift reaches the Shipwreck Coast tunnel. Access to the Marina Bay amphitheatre and aquarium needs staff help through a gate, so ask at Reception. Free wheelchairs are available there. Accessible toilets are near Reception and the outdoor Touch Pool; baby-change facilities and pram parking are also provided. Strollers are welcome. For a bus trip, check the current Transperth service separately rather than relying on a fixed route or frequency in this guide.

Check three things before booking: the seasonal closing time, the ticket's inclusions and the tunnel route. Standard entry includes scheduled talks but not separately booked shark or behind-the-scenes experiences. An advance ticket does not avoid a queue or guarantee immediate entry at capacity. The Shipwreck Coast lift reaches the aquarium, but AQWA warns that the older tunnel may not suit every wheelchair or mobility aid. The moving walkway is 1.2 metres wide, the stationary platform 1.1 metres, and there is a small edge at the exit. Staff can stop the walkway if assistance is needed. Marina Bay also requires staff help at its access gate. Large pull-along wagons must stay outside exhibit areas unless they are medical equipment. Follow staff guidance for gentle contact at the Touch Pool.

The Shipwreck Coast tunnel lets you photograph marine life from below a large tank. Glass reflections, moving fish and the moving walkway can make a sharp shot difficult; leave space for other visitors while composing. The coral and seagrass galleries offer smaller habitats and useful context for wider images. AQWA says some rooms use dim lighting, so a steady camera helps. The visitor pages checked here do not state a general flash or tripod policy: ask staff before using either. At the outdoor Touch Pool, keep equipment clear of the water and follow staff guidance. Exhibits and animals can change, so do not plan around a guaranteed sighting. AQWA recommends after 13:30 for visitors seeking a less busy setting, but note the earlier seasonal close in most months.