Kelly Tarltons - Mission Bay

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is located on Tamaki Drive in Auckland Just minutes from the central city and overlooking the scenic Waitematā Harbour.

The aquarium is nestled along the waterfront, providing a beautiful coastal backdrop for visitors as they explore its exhibits. The location offers easy access by car or public transport, making it a convenient stop for tourists and locals alike.

From its unique vantage point on the Auckland coastline, Kelly Tarlton's offers both indoor and outdoor experiences.

The Antarctic Ice Adventure, featuring the penguin colony, is one of the highlights, along with stunning views of the harbor and Rangitoto Island as you exit the aquarium.

Visitors often pair a trip to Kelly Tarlton’s with a scenic drive along Tamaki Drive, or visits to nearby attractions like Mission Bay or Bastion Point.

History

In 1983, Tarlton proposed building an aquarium in unused sewage tanks underground on the Auckland waterfront. Fish would be viewed through a long acrylic tunnel.^[4]

The aquarium opened in 1985 after 10 months of construction. Tarlton developed a new method of building an acrylic tunnel by taking large sheets of clear acrylic, cutting them to size and heating them in an oven until they took the shape of the mould.

Some of the sheets weighed over one tonne. Because of the refraction caused by light travelling through water, and the acrylic sheets used in the creation of the tunnel, the fish appear to be one third smaller than they are. 

Find out more when you visit.