Merlin Entertainments Group Announces $8M Refurbishment for Melbourne Aquarium

Merlin Entertainments Group has announced an $8 million, five month refurbishment plan for Victoria's award-winning iconic tourist attraction, Melbourne Aquarium.

Melbourne Aquarium will be taken to a whole new world class level by Merlin Entertainments, the world's No 2 visitor attraction operator, which acquired the attraction in mid-2012, and which also owns the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and many others. Melbourne Aquarium will undergo its first complete attraction overhaul since opening in 2000.

The revitalised attraction will fly the world famous, global SEA LIFE banner and join 44 SEA LIFE centres across the world when the refurbishment is completed in September 2013. Globally recognised as the number one aquarium brand, SEA LIFE is renowned as a centre of excellence for marine management, education, interactive exhibits and conservation. This merge with SEA LIFE will set the benchmark for some of the brand new activities and exciting exhibits that will open to the public from now until September.

"As one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Australia, we are delighted to be able to further enhance the attraction's world class reputation and continue to grow its global marine conservations efforts while providing a truly interactive and educational experience for visitors" said Edward Fuller, Divisional Director, Merlin Entertainments Group.

The $8M refurbishment, which is already underway, will employ a phased-like approach to ensure minimum disruption is caused, continuing to provide guests with an unrivalled aquarium experience.

When complete, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will feature 12 new amazing zones of discovery, including interactive animal encounters, iconic state of the art displays, hundreds of new species including the world's largest collection of seahorses and many more that are set be revealed in the coming months.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will continue to drive it's unprecedented, globally recognised, conservation work pioneering strong ethical and environmental values - BREED, RESCUE and PROTECT. Home to the world's leading aquarists visitors will continued to be met with an excellent, educational and engaging experience.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium has commenced work to support the SEA LIFE Conservation Fund Australia to treat animals as an educational resource and present them alongside educational programs to provide visitors with opportunities to learn about the biology, status and conservation of native species.

What:  SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium relaunch
When:  April - September 2013
Opening hours:  9:30am - 6pm daily
Cost:  Prices from $26.25 online. Walk-up price - Adults: $35, Children (4-15yrs): $21.50, Concession: $29
Contact:  03 9923 5999
For more information on SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, please visit: www.melbourneaquarium.com.au