Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World

Housed in old stormwater and sewage holding tanks is this unique aquarium. A transparent tunnel runs along the centre of the tank, through which you travel on a conveyor belt, with the fish, including sharks and stingrays, swimming around you. You can step off at any time to take a closer look.

The big attraction, however, is the permanent winter wonderland known as Antarctic Encounter. It includes a walk through a replica of Scott’s 1911 Antarctic hut, and a ride aboard a heated Snow Cat through a frozen environment where a colony of king and gentoo penguins lives at sub-zero temperatures. Displays include an Antarctic scientific base of the future and exhibits on the history of Antarctica. Needless to say, this whole experience is a fantastic adventure for adults travelling with children. Less fantastic are the entry queues at busy times of the year. Book online for a shorter wait.

Buses numbered 745 to 769 head here from Britomart. There’s also a free shark-shaped shuttle bus that departs 172 Quay St (opposite the ferry terminal) on the hour between 9am and 4pm (except 2pm) and SkyCity’s atrium 10 minutes later (departing Kelly Tarlton’s 40 minutes later).

Housed in old stormwater and sewage holding tanks is this unique aquarium. A transparent tunnel runs along the centre of the tank, through which you travel on a conveyor belt, with the fish, including sharks and stingrays, swimming around you. You can step off at any time to take a closer look.

The big attraction, however, is the permanent winter wonderland known as Antarctic Encounter. It includes a walk through a replica of Scott’s 1911 Antarctic hut, and a ride aboard a heated Snow Cat through a frozen environment where a colony of king and gentoo penguins lives at sub-zero temperatures. Displays include an Antarctic scientific base of the future and exhibits on the history of Antarctica. Needless to say, this whole experience is a fantastic adventure for adults travelling with children. Less fantastic are the entry queues at busy times of the year. Book online for a shorter wait.

Buses numbered 745 to 769 head here from Britomart. There’s also a free shark-shaped shuttle bus that departs 172 Quay St (opposite the ferry terminal) on the hour between 9am and 4pm (except 2pm) and SkyCity’s atrium 10 minutes later (departing Kelly Tarlton’s 40 minutes later).