Seahorse Australia
The Animals
Discover the secret life
of seahorses on a fully guided tour
Your 50-minute tour is guided by one of our expert tour guides. We commence our tour in The Cave which is home to a selection of seahorses and seadragons. Here you will learn a bit about seahorses and their mysterious behaviour.
We then move into The Farm which is where you get an exclusive “behind the scenes” look at the world’s first working seahorse farm. This is where we feed the fish and you can see seahorses in all stages of life from tiny fingernail size babies to larger adults going about their day.
Our Hands of Hope exhibit is next, where we take you into the world of the Critically Endangered Handfish. This is the only place in the world where you can see the Spotted and Red Handfish without diving to find them in their secretive wild habitats.
Learn about these extraordinary fish and their fight to survive, and what Seahorse World is doing in partnership with CSIRO and the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies to save these species from extinction.
Our final room is The Southern Ocean Aquarium where we have a showcase of some of the bizarre and mystical creatures found in Tasmanian waters. In this room you’ll also have the opportunity to get hands on and touch some of the creatures from the deep as well as hold a seahorse in the palm of your hand. Get your cameras ready!
Walking distance is no more than 100m on flat surface, making it easy and achievable for pretty much everyone.
There are benches to rest throughout the facility if needed. We recommend you wear flat comfortable shoes.
Maximum group size is 25 people. Larger groups can be split into smaller groups departing 15 minutes apart.
Tours commence at 9.30am daily during December to April with the last tour at 4.30 pm. They depart at either hourly or half hourly intervals depending on demand. During May to November routine tours depart at 10 am, 11 am 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm or if you book ahead we will also arrange a 4 pm tour.
Please contact us if you have a group for special pricing and tour times. We can also offer tours in various languages, as well as tailor the content and length to your needs.
For more details click on one of the boxes below.
Kids options
During school holidays, we will be running a Kids Discovery Program. For both parents and kids, this one hour experience has been tailored for kids aged 4-10 years old.
Departing once a day throughout the week at 9.45am, your family-friendly tour guide will take your group through the facility to all the same rooms as a normal tour, but with exciting additions guaranteed to delight your child.
The program will include:
- Baby seahorse feeding
- Shark feeding
- and more….
Of course, one of the best things about the kids program is the final room – the Aquarium – where every child will have the chance to hold a seahorse. In the touch pool there are also hermit crabs, star fish and other sea creatures that you’re allowed to touch as well. Your guide will help make your child feel safe and excited about holding a very special sea creature in their hand.
Each child receives a souvenir take-home Seahorse World show bag, valued over $20, including a colouring competition which is judged at the end of the school holidays and prizes awarded.
Children over 10 years are welcome to join their family, however the tour content is designed for 4-10 year olds.
Tours for groups
We take many private groups through Seahorse World and we are happy to look after your group too.
Minimum size for a group is 10, maximum number per tour is 25 so larger groups are split into smaller sizes to manage movement through the facility.
Tour length is 50 minutes and requires approximately 100 metres of walking on flat surface.
We have a large carpark for bus parking which only requires passengers to walk across a short bridge to the building. For smaller coaches there is a 5 minute drop off zone near the door, and a turn around area enables the bus to drop off then park in the car park.
Upstairs at Seahorse World is a large seating area that can accommodate large groups of up to 100 people. The view through the floor to ceiling windows over the river is spectacular, a wonderful place to sit and enjoy morning or afternoon tea or we can even organise a sit down lunch for your group. Please speak to us about your requirements and we’ll be happy to quote for you.
Our kiosk sells a range of snacks plus we have a great coffee and ice cream for purchase. Or we can assist your group and arrange catering to your needs for the group to enjoy upstairs.
For groups that enjoy a little retail therapy, our large gift shop has a wide variety of gift items to purchase and take home. We stock postcards, books, gifts for every generation, jewellery, home décor, soft toys, educational toys and more.
School excursions
Our scientists regularly run tours and marine classes for primary schools, high schools and colleges and we have developed tour programs based on the national curriculum.
We are happy to discuss your particular class topic and we will endeavour to tailor our tour content for you.
We encourage schools to include a visit to Seahorse World and have developed extremely competitive pricing to ensure we meet all budgetary needs.
Please contact us to discuss pricing and content for your school group.
Some examples of topics we can cover include: life cycles, food webs, endangered species, science and community, aquaculture, taxonomy, marine habitats, conservation and many more.
Additional activities in our upstairs facilities include powerpoint presentations, dried specimens and shark jaws, and age appropriate worksheets.
Accessibility
At Seahorse World, we are committed to creating meaningful experiences for all visitors, and we are proud to be an inclusive and accessible destination.
Parking
Two disability designated car parking spaces are located right in front of the building near the entrance. If these are full, you can take advantage of the five minute drop-off zone at the side of the building, just a few metres walk further to the entrance.
Minibus and coach parking is in the large car park which is a quick two minute walk from the entrance.
Entering Seahorse World
Entry to Seahorse World is on the Eastern side of the building over the bridge. Follow the seahorses to the entrance.
The tour is conducted all on one level and is undertaken on a flat surface over a course of no more than 100 metres. The reception, seahorse farm and aquarium, gift shop and kiosk are all on the bottom level.
Upstairs to our seated cafe area is via an internal staircase, or for mobility impaired we have a lift.
Wheelchair access
Seahorse World is fully accessible on the bottom level via wheelchair, and our lift can transport wheelchairs to level 1. For further enquiries, please call us in advance of your visit on +61 (0)3 6383 4111.
Guide Dogs and other registered assistance dogs
Guide Dogs and other registered assistance dogs are welcome at Seahorse World, in the farm, aquarium and all areas on the bottom level.
Other services and facilities
Toilets and infant room
Male and female amenities with wheelchair access are available on the ground floor of Seahorse World. Please look for signs or ask one of our staff members. An infant room for parents and children is also provided on the ground floor.
Companion and carer support
Companion/Carer Card holders can obtain free access to Seahorse World programs. Please contact us to discuss this before making a booking.
We accept Companion Cards registered in Tasmania and from other states and internationally.
Access programs
We are able to conduct special tours for mentally or physically disabled people. For some autistic guests or people who cannot be in groups please phone ahead with your needs and we will endeavour to conduct a special viewing for them.
If you are considering or planning to bring in a group that has particular access requirements, or would like further information about accessibility at Seahorse World, please contact our bookings office on +61 (0)3 6383 4111.
