Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World
By Richard Moore
On Auckland's picturesque waterfront there is a tourist attraction
that - if you didn't know it was there - you could very easily
miss.
It is Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater
World - and it is one of those rare spots on the globe in
which you can get very close to a colony of King and Gentoo
penguins.
The spectacular creatures live within a South Polar atmosphere
that emulates actual conditions in the wintry southernmost
reaches of the Earth. More than three tonnes of fresh ice
is created daily to make the large birds feel more at home.
Kings are the second largest penguins - only the Emperor
is bigger - and they grow to 95 centimetres high and weigh
in at an average 17 kilos. Gentoos are slightly shorter (up
to 90 centimetres) but their weight is generally around 7
kilos.
You reach the penguin area through a life-size wooden replica
of Sir Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic hut. This is a fascinating
look at how the early polar explorers lived in the freezing
conditions with examples of the clothes they wore, including
sealskin and woollen mittens, the kitchen and its iron stove
and pots, tin mugs, as well as the food larder - complete
with bottles of Worcestershire sauce.
There are original mementos from the Scott hut, together
with late-Victorian/early-Edwardian items including a piano,
gramophone, books, lamps and, of course, a picture of King
Edward VII.
Once through the hut you come to the highlight of a visit
to Kelly Tarlton's and that is a ride into the Antarctic via
a small snowcat that takes you through the zero-degrees enclosure.
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More than three tonnes
of ice is created everyday
to make the penguins feel
like they're still at home
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The start of this ride is senses-boggling as they take you
through a rotating tunnel that brings on the disorientation
you feel during a white-out snowstorm.
And, it is fair to say, that even though one part of your
mind knows you are still on the rail-pulley system, your brain
sends signals thinking you are about to be tipped over. Very
freaky stuff and it will not suit those who suffer from claustrophobia.
Kelly Tarlton's may need to look at a second way into their
prize exhibit.
When you break out into the main area, however, it is magnificent.
The penguins are truly remarkable and I wish there had been
a chance to stop the snowcat and just sit and watch them in
action. A static viewing area would be ideal for both quiet
contemplation and taking photos.
After the Antarctic Experience you enter Kelly Tarlton's
underwater area. Tarlton is a famous New Zealand diver and
his use of acrylic tunnels to let people walk under and through
the swimming sea creatures was one of the first in the Southern
Hemisphere.
It was opened in 1985 and, having spent many enjoyable hours
at the Melbourne aquarium, the age of Kelly Tarlton's shows.
Fortunately it is going to undergo an expansion soon.
There are two areas that grabbed our children's attention
in the underwater area. The first was the tank containing
giant crayfish that were more than a little cranky with others
that popped into their plot of sand and rock. These guys were
seriously big and just about everyone who came into the area
sat down and watched them for quarter of an hour or so.
The viewing tunnels were also fine with sharks, rays and
other marine creatures swimming up and over you. Again it
has to be said that Melbourne's
aquarium in Australia is a better example and seemed to
have larger fish stocks.
There is a Discovery Room for children where they can find
out what it is like to be an octopus, get hands-on in a rock
pool and check out cool scientific stuff.
Open Hours:
9.00am - 6.00pm daily (Last entry 5.00pm).
Book
Tickets Online: Click Here
Ticket Prices:
Adult (15+) $26.
Students (15+ with ID) $20.
Child (5 - 14) $10
Child (4 years) $6. Pre-schoolers are free.
Family Tickets:
1 Adult, 2 Children $40.
1 Adult, 3 Children $50.
1 Adult, 4 Children $55.
2 Adults, up to four Children $59.
Website: KellyTarltons.co.nz
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