A surefire hit with younger kids, Sea Life (sealifemelbourne.com.au; adult/child from $38/28) is a whizz-bang aquarium with walk-through tunnels offering a below-the-surface view of giant rays, gropers and sharks. Even more menacing than the sharks is Pinjarra, a 6m-long, 750kg saltwater crocodile. Balancing out the cuteness factor somewhat is the colony of gentoo and king penguins, busily pottering about in their own icy enclosure.
The whole complex is well designed for kids, with child-height tunnels and domes where they can pop their heads up into some of the smaller tanks. There's also a cinema screening a 4D Ice Age short.
Tickets are far cheaper online and if booked at least a day in advance. Add-ons include shark dives and behind-the-scenes experiences. You'll need at least 90 minutes to see everything.
