Aquarium Experience with Behind the Scenes Pass, Perth

Step beyond the exhibits at the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) with an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience led by expert Ocean Guides. This small-group adventure takes you into restricted areas not open to the public, offering an insider's look at how the aquarium operates and cares for hundreds of sea creatures. You'll take part in a hands-on animal feeding, visit the Coral Bank of Western Australia—a living collection of local corals—and cap off your visit with a cruise above the Shipwreck Coast shark aquarium in a glass-bottom boat for a special view of the marine world from above.

Begin your visit with standard entry to AQWA, giving you time to explore the main exhibits ahead of your scheduled Behind The Scenes session (note that priority entry isn't included, so it's best to arrive early). When it's time, you'll meet your Ocean Guide and your small group of fellow participants and head straight into areas typically off-limits to visitors. As you move through these restricted spaces, you'll see the inner working of a major aquarium, everything from filtration systems to food preparation, and even catch a glimpse (and smell) of the less glamorous but essential side of marine care.

You'll learn how AQWA's team looks after hundreds of marine species, including an interactive feeding session, where you'll observe—and even participate in—a target feeding session with the resident crayfish, gaining insight into how keepers train and monitor animal behavior. Next, you'll enjoy up-close access to the Coral Bank of Western Australia, a unique conservation space dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of local corals. Here, you'll also cover the microscopic world of coral polyps and discover how tiny fragments are cultivated into thriving reef systems.

The AQWA fun wraps up with a glass-bottom boat ride over the Shipwreck Coast aquarium, where you'll glide above sharks, rays, and schools of fish for a top-down view of one of AQWA's largest exhibits. After your guided experience (approximately 45 minutes) and boat ride (around 15 minutes), you're free to continue exploring the aquarium at your own pace with your included all-day entry.