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Zoos & aquariums

Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

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Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

Located on Tamaki Drive, this aquarium allows visitors to observe a variety of marine species. It was established in 1985 based on the concepts of marine explorer Kelly Tarlton. Travellers visit this site to see diverse aquatic life in a controlled environment, including a tunnel system that provides a close-up view of the animals.

Getting There

The aquarium is situated east of the Auckland city centre. You can reach it via public bus or by car. The journey typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Duration of Visit

Most visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours exploring the exhibits and moving through the underwater tunnels.

When to Visit

The facility is indoors, making it a viable option regardless of the season or weather. It can get crowded during school holidays and on weekends. To avoid the largest crowds, visiting on a weekday morning is recommended.

Nearby Attractions

Because of its location along the coast, you can combine a visit here with other nearby sites:

  • Bean Rock Lighthouse: 1.9km
  • North Head: 2.1km
  • Takarunga / Mount Victoria: 2.7km
  • Holy Trinity Cathedral: 3.4km

Updated September 13, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

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Stays near Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

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Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Auckland 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Auckland grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Auckland 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Auckland grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Bean Rock Lighthouse

Views & landmarks

Bean Rock Lighthouse

A lighthouse built on a reef in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour, it's New Zealand's only wooden cottage-style lighthouse. As the oldest wooden lighthouse and the only one washed by waves, it holds rare significance.

1.9 km away
North Head

Nature

North Head

North Head is a volcanic hill in Devonport, Auckland, offering sweeping views over Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. Old coastal defense bunkers and tunnels remain here, well worth exploring.

2.1 km away
Takarunga / Mount Victoria

Nature

Takarunga / Mount Victoria

The highest volcano on Auckland's North Shore at 66 meters, once the site of an important Māori fortified village. In the 19th century, gun batteries were built here to defend Auckland, and their traces remain today.

2.7 km away
Holy Trinity Cathedral

Temples & religious sites

Holy Trinity Cathedral

An Anglican cathedral in Auckland's Parnell district, serving as the seat of the Auckland diocese. Built in 1973, it offers a calm setting for exploring its chapel architecture.

3.4 km away
St Mary's Cathedral Church

Temples & religious sites

St Mary's Cathedral Church

An Anglican church in Auckland's Parnell, this historic building served as the seat of the Auckland diocese's bishop until 1973.

3.4 km away
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Museums & galleries

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

This museum sits in the Auckland Domain, a large park southeast of the city center. It houses exhibits covering the natural history, history, and military heritage of New Zealand and the Auckland region.

3.9 km away