- Manly Sea Life Sanctuary in Sydney opened as Marineland in 1963
- The aquarium welcomed its last visitors on Sunday after 55 years in operation
- In March last year it announced it would close due to costly repair work
An iconic Sydney aquarium has shut its doors after more than half a century in business.
Manly Sea Life Sanctuary opened as Marineland in 1963 and underwent various renovations and name changes including Underwater World and Oceanworld.
The aquarium welcomed its last visitors on Sunday after 55 years of delighting fans.
Manly Sea Life Sanctuary opened as Marineland in 1963 and underwent various renovations and name changes including Underwater World and Oceanworld
The iconic Sydney aquarium has shut its doors after 55 years.
Melinda Bacon, worked as an Education Officer and Seal Trainer at Underwater World from 1993-1996
The aquarium welcomed its last visitors on Sunday
In March last year Manly Sea Life Sanctuary announced it would close due to costly repair work.
This prompted a large scale operation to relocate the 2000 marine animals that live at the sanctuary.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s daunting, it’s certainly a big task, but my team are definitely up for it,’ Manly Sea Life Sanctuary Life Sciences Manager Rob Townsend told 9 News.
The marine animals will be relocated to aquariums affiliated with Seal Life in Australia and overseas.
It is not yet known what will take over the prime waterfront location.
Current zoning regulations at Manly Cove prevent then possibility of residential development.
The marine animals will be relocated aquariums affiliated with Seal Life in Australia and overseas
Photo taken in 2000- Sydney Aquarium purchased Manly Oceanrium and renamed it Manly Oceanworld
In March last year Manly Sea Life Sanctuary announced it would close die to costly repair work (picture taken in 1988)
Bye! Manly Sea Life Sanctuary has closed after 55 years of delighting visitors