About AQWA
The Aquarium of Western Australia is Perth's premier underwater aquarium located on the shores of the Indian Ocean just 20 minutes north of Perth city.
AQWA is owned and operated by Coral World International, a privately owned company boasting a range aquariums around the world. The Coral World family is passionate about marine education, rehabilitation and conservation, and is dedicated to generating wonder and respect for the marine life of Western Australia through an extensive school education program, the many rehabilitation programs for sick and injured animals and amazing exhibits that provide a window to the bottom of the vast ocean floors. AQWA aims to inspire respect for the marine life, raise awareness of the oceans’ critical importance and hopefully create the passion that is shared by all our staff.
AQWA Timeline
Since opening its doors 30 years ago AQWA has inspired over three million visitors.
| 2017 | AQWA launches new Adventure Bay aquarium and activity hub. This outdoor exhibit area features a diving aquarium, kiosk cafe, new multi-purpose outdoor amphitheatre seating, children’s playground and dive hub for running its new Adventure programs: Snorkel Discovery, Treasure Hunter and Mermaid Magic. |
| 2016 | Perth Mermaids perform at AQWA for the first time in the Shipwreck Coast aquarium. |
| 2016 | AQWA expands its Whale Watching charters with a new partnership with Rottnest Fast Ferries. |
| 2015 | AQWA Shark mascot developed to meet and greet visitors to AQWA in December. |
| 2011 | AQWA commences Ocean Safari joint venture with Mills Charters in September. |
| 2011 | Reefwalker experience launched at AQWA. |
| 2010 | Seal pool converted to Coral Reef exhibit and opened to the public. |
| 2009 | Seals relocated to Adelaide Zoo on 11th February. |
| 2006 | DangerZONE exhibit completed and opened to the public. |
| 2003 | AQWA Foundation teams with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in May in a joint project to tag Great White Sharks and better understand their behaviour. |
| 2002 | Dive with Sharks experience launched at AQWA. |
| 2002 | Joint Community Education Project initiated with the Water Corporation operating an Ocean Discovery Van to visit local beaches and provide educational activities. |
| 2001 | Fishing Clinics held with Fisheries WA. |
| 2001 | Underwater World renamed as AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia – on 1st January. |
| 2000 | Coral World International sells Ocean World Aquarium in Manly, Sydney on 13th December. |
| 2000 | Seals from Manly Oceanarium relocated to AQWA. |
| 2000 | AQWA Adventures conducts whale watching tours in September. |
| 1992 | Three Bottle Nose Dolphins were relocated from Atlantis Marine Park to be rehabilitated at AQWA. |
| 1992 | Coral World International acquired assets of Ocean World Aquarium located in Manly, Sydney on 19th March. |
| 1991 | Underwater World purchased by Coral World International on 12th August. |
| 1988 | Underwater World opened to the public on 13th April. |
| 1985 | Underwater World Perth (UWP) idea conceived by Mr Russell Eathorne and Mr Kester Macfarlane. |