Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE® Aquarium 💎 Hidden Gem
The moving walkway carries you slowly through a transparent acrylic tunnel while a four-metre short-tail stingray glides overhead, its wing-tips brushing the glass, and a nurse shark circles lazily in the blue haze beyond. SEA LIFE Kelly Tarltons Aquarium is one of the world original underwater tunnel aquariums, built in disused sewage storage tanks beneath a promontory of Tamaki Drive, mesmerising Auckland families since 1985.
History of Kelly Tarltons Aquarium
The aquarium was the creation of Kelly Tarlton, a New Zealand marine archaeologist and diver born in 1937 who spent his career recovering artefacts from historic shipwrecks. Tarlton conceived an innovative aquarium using curved acrylic technology to create walk-through tunnels. He secured permission to convert four disused concrete sewage storage tanks beneath a promontory on Tamaki Drive and spent two years overseeing construction. The aquarium opened in January 1985 to immediate acclaim.
Tarlton died just eight weeks after the aquarium opened. The facility was subsequently expanded and eventually acquired by the global SEA LIFE brand. In 1994 it added a replica of the Antarctic hut used by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, providing historical context for the penguin colony. The aquarium was the first in the world to use moving walkways for transport through underwater tunnels.
What to See
The penguin exhibit is the centrepiece: a climate-controlled Antarctic environment housing king penguins and gentoo penguins in a recreation of their sub-Antarctic habitat, complete with artificial snow and the replica Scott hut. Feeding times are when the penguins are most active. The Stingray Bay open-topped tank holds three short-tail stingrays, the world largest ray species, in 350,000 litres of crystal-clear water.
The shark tank walk-through tunnels are the technical achievement that made this aquarium famous: curved acrylic allows an unobstructed view of sharks, rays, and fish circling above, below, and around you simultaneously. A Seahorse Kingdom houses the world only display of Spiny Sea Dragons. A rescued sea turtle rehabilitation programme and a jellyfish display complete the collection.
The Tunnel Experience
The moving walkway innovation that Kelly Tarlton pioneered in 1985 was genuinely revolutionary and has since been adopted by aquariums worldwide. The technique allows visitors of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs and those with children in prams, to experience full immersion of the tunnels without physical effort. The speed is slow enough for extended observation of individual animals while ensuring steady flow through popular sections.
The acrylic panels maintaining the tunnel walls and ceilings to a startling clarity produce saturated blue-green colours that seem almost dreamlike. Photographers without flash equipment consistently produce excellent results in the tunnels because of the natural diffusion of light through water.
Practical Information
- Tickets: Adults approximately NZD 42-53; children approximately NZD 27; book online for 25% discount
- Opening hours: Daily 09:30-17:00 (last entry 16:00)
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings are least crowded; check website for current penguin feeding times
- Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours for general admission
- Booking: Book online at visitsealife.com/auckland for best prices; advance booking recommended during school holidays
Local Insights
What locals know that guidebooks do not always tell you:
- Penguin feeding times are worth planning your visit around; the penguins swim at speeds that seem impossible for their size and the feeding frenzy lasts about 15 minutes.
- The early morning slot just after opening has the fewest visitors; you can walk back through the shark tunnels multiple times without crowd pressure.
- The Scott hut replica inside the penguin exhibit is a detailed historical recreation worth spending time in; most visitors walk past it quickly.
- Tamaki Drive is one of Auckland most scenic roads; combine the aquarium with a walk or bike ride along the waterfront toward Mission Bay after your visit.
- Weekends during New Zealand school holidays get extremely busy; the online booking system lets you select a specific entry time.
Getting There
- Bus: Auckland Transport buses 757 and 769 run along Tamaki Drive to the aquarium stop
- On foot: 3-km walk or cycle from downtown Auckland along the Tamaki Drive waterfront path
- By car: Parking available at the aquarium; additional street parking along Tamaki Drive
- Taxi/Rideshare: Uber and taxis readily available; approximately 10-minute drive from CBD
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Kelly Tarltons take?
A standard visit takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours for most families. Add 30-60 minutes if you attend a feeding presentation or book a behind-the-scenes experience.
Is it suitable for toddlers and young children?
Excellent for young children. The moving walkway is pram and wheelchair accessible, the penguins are always a highlight, and the layout means there is no risk of losing children in large open spaces.
Can I touch any of the animals?
The Stingray Bay open-topped tank occasionally allows supervised touch experiences during ranger demonstrations; check the daily schedule board at the entrance for current offerings.
Is photography allowed inside the aquarium?
Yes, photography is encouraged throughout. Flash photography is not permitted in the penguin exhibit.
Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The moving walkway in the tunnels was specifically designed to be wheelchair and pram accessible. Contact the aquarium for specific accessibility information before visiting.