The Weird & Wonderful at SEA LIFE Sydney❜s Jurassic Seas Exhibition

By Lenore Pearson, ellaslist explorer

On a sweltering Sydney morning, we were very grateful to be inside with air conditioning and immersing ourselves in the depths of Jurassic Seas. The newest exhibition to emerge from the waters of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Jurassic Seas is a superb opportunity for all budding palaeontologists to come face to face with weird and wonderful creatures that have survived since pre-historic times and outlasted the dinosaurs.

My boys are obsessed with dinosaurs, if I’m not stepping on them, sitting on them or sharing a bathroom with them, I’m finding them in my bed, in the car or on my kitchen bench. So you can imagine the dinosaur frenzy in my household that followed the release of the movie Jurassic World, not to mention the excitement at the thought of being treated to a day at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium to explore the new Jurassic Seas Exhibition.

Prehistoric Paradise

Designed to capitalise on the latest surge of prehistoric fever, the exhibition is well-presented with prehistoric props and dino décor. The boys were particularly taken with the enormous Australian Lung Fish and the aptly named Pig Nosed Turtle. I, on the other hand, was mesmerised by the Ancient Nautilus which is said to have slowly evolved over 500 million years! There was also a small hands-on observation table set up where kids could interact with diverse objects such as the jaw bone of a small shark, the incredible screw-shaped egg from a Horn shark and a sample of coral. The staff were great with the boys and very knowledgeable.

The exhibition itself is quite small and won’t take more than 10-15mins to explore, however, the boys were more than happy to keep moving through the aquarium in search of a ‘huge shark’ but were momentarily attracted to the Discovery Rockpool where they were free to gently handle sea urchins, star fish, sea cucumbers and hermit crabs.

What We Loved About Jurassic Seas

• Kids can have a photo with the Jurassic World Velociraptors but be prepared that some photos may not turn out well as flash photography is not allowed inside.

• There is a wonderful little corner called ‘Art Aquarium’ in which kids can colour in pictures of a Mosasaurus, jelly fish, sharks and various other underwater creatures and then have it scanned and projected up onto a wall where their drawing comes to life. This was a particular highlight for my boys who stood intently waiting for their jelly fish and shark to appear and swim along the wall.

• Feed a deadly plesiosaurus using a technology-based interactive game – kids as well as adults (read husband!) enjoyed this feature.

ellaslist Top Tips

• Suitable for school age children 5 to 12 yrs, younger kids won’t get a lot out of this particular exhibition, however, the rest of the themed zones will more than make up for it.

• The entry price includes a Jurassic World Activity Pack for children which involves hunting through the 14 themed zones of the Aquarium for fun hidden dinosaur facts – ask for one if you aren’t given one when you collect your tickets.

• It is much cheaper if you purchase tickets online plus the prepaid ticket line moves faster than the normal line.

• Arrive early as during the holiday period the queue to get in is quite long. The ticket desk now handles ticket sales to all three attractions: Madam Tussauds, The Wild Life Sydney Zoo and the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.

• If you look at the website, it indicates various parking stations that offer cheaper parking deals. Just validate your ticket at the ticket desk upon entry as they don’t validate it at the gift shop on your way out.

Why We Love the Aquarium

• Under 4 years – FREE Admission


• Easy to navigate with a child in a pram or wheelchair


• There are toilets and parent rooms located mid-way through the aquarium as well as at the gift shop


• There is a snack bar mid-way through the aquarium and two food outlets – Aqua Café and Wharf Kitchen located in the main foyer – or why not pack a lunch and sit by the water?


• There are 14 themed zones throughout the aquarium – we highly recommend Dugong Island and Shark Valley


• Fun Sea Life photos taken by animated staff members upon entry and mid way through which can be viewed and purchased as you exit the final zone.


• WARNING: Great souvenir shop upon exit – difficult to remove the kids!


• Guaranteed super fun family day out