Plan Your School Excursion

As part of the most recent updates to the containment plan for the Covid-19 coronavirus we have been advised by the Australian Government to temporarily close SEA LIFE Melbourne. The move is consistent with the closure of other venues and postponement of events in order to prevent further outbreak. The closure is effective across all Merlin attractions in Australia as of midday on 23^rd March, 2020.  

If you have a school excursion booked with us and think it may be impacted by these measures, please contact a member of our Education Team at education@melbourneaquarium.com.au. They will be able to assist you in providing an alternative date or a refund where appropriate.

While SEA LIFE Melbourne is closed, rest assured, our staff will continue to feed, care for and provide enrichment opportunities for the animals in our care and will no doubt keep each other company until we re-open.

To help you during this period of remote learning we have just launched Merlin's Education Toolbox, an online hub for teachers and parents with a variety of FREE resources that can be used to supplement lesson plans and provide enriching activities whilst students are at home. Check it out at www.merlineducation.com.au.

With a range of options available you will be able to develop the perfect day out of the classroom.

Centrally located on the bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD the aquarium is easy to get to either via public transport or bus, with short term parking available.

PLAN AHEAD
Review our Teacher Planning Guide.

WORKSHEETS
If using a worksheet, please print copies for your students prior to your visit.

GROUP SIZES
Guided groups will be advised of the number of groups to organise students into when booking. Please split your students as evenly as possible into groups of no more than 30 each in preparation for your tour.

WHAT TO BRING
Students participating in programs with worksheets need to bring along a pen, clipboard and a copy of the worksheet.

FAMILIARISE YOUR STUDENTS
Download a copy of our social scripts here. 

Guided - Kinder 

Guided - Schools 

Self-Guided

When booking, have a couple of dates and times in mind in case we are already booked up on your desired day.

Let our Bookings Officer know as much as possible about the group, including numbers and if there are any special needs students. 

Aim to book your excursion as early as possible to ensure that you get your desired date and time.

RISK ASSESSMENT
Please email education@melbourneaquarium.com.au for our Risk Assessment

ARRIVAL AND ENTRY
Guided groups: SEA LIFE education staff will be meet the group at the student entrance located on king Street five minutes before the commencement of their program. Out teaching staff will greet the group, take final numbers for the invoice and lead them into the building.

Self Guided groups: The leading teacher needs to report to the Customer Service Desk at the Flinders Street main entrance to confirm numbers. Staff there will provide guidance for how the students should enter the building.

ENTRY TO THE AQUARIUM BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR SESSION
Students will experience all of the exhibits in the aquarium during the allocated 2 hour session. School groups are not permitted to enter the Aquarium before or after their session as those times are allocated to other school groups. Please note that this includes access to facilities such as toilets. 

BAG STORAGE
We do not have storage available for Self Guided groups. Students need to carry their bags with them throughout the day.

TOILETS
All groups will have access to toilets at the start and end of their session. Access to toilets outside of a group's two hour time slot is unavailable. 

FOOD & WATER
Due to health and safety regulations, we do not allow excursion groups to eat or drink within the building.  We do not presently have water bubblers available for students to use. Students may bring water bottles if required.

We recommend visiting one of our neighbouring parks to snack before the commencement of the tour and to eat lunch after. As there are no suitable spaces on-site for groups to eat or wait pre or post their excursion, it is advised visiting schools ensure to plan alternative arrangements in the case of extreme weather conditions. 

In addition, students are not permitted to make any purchases from our café.  For older students, there are a range of food options off-site in the area

SHOP POLICY
All self guided school groups will exit the building via the gift shop. If students are shopping please limit the group to a maximum of 10 students at a time, fully supervised.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is located on the corner of Flinders and King Streets in Melbourne - ideally situated on the edge of the Yarra River, opposite the Crown Entertainment Complex.

TRAIN
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium can be accessed via either Flinders or Spencer Street stations. For further information, please contact Public Transport Victoria  on 1800 800 007 or visit ptv.vic.gov.au  

TRAM
The SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium tram stop is located on the free City Circle Tram route and also routes 70 and 75. City Circle trams run every 10 minutes in both directions.

The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a FREE bus service, stopping at key tourist attractions and destinations in and around the City. Running daily, every 15 minutes from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

For further information on bus, train and tram services please contact Public Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007 or visit ptv.vic.gov.au

BUS PARKING
A 15 minute drop off and pick up zone is available for buses on Flinders Street and Aquarium Drive, however, places cannot be guaranteed.

Buses waiting for school groups must then move elsewhere and return to pick up. Special needs schools with mini buses and Disabled Persons Parking Permit may request a parking pass with the Bookings Officer, subject to availability.

Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early to snack before your excursion in a nearby park, or at least 10 minutes early if students will have already snacked. Please also account for any traffic you may encounter during your journey as we are not able to extend excursion finishing times.

Departure: Allow an extra 10 minutes for students to exit the building before boarding the bus home.  

Contact our Education Team via email education@melbourneaquarium.com.au or you can fill in the School Excursions Online Enquiry Form. For any urgent enquiries, please send an email with the subject, URGENT, and a member of the team will be in touch.

You can also request a booking using our online excursion booking form.

Don't forget to check out LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Melbourne for bricktastic school excursion ideas!