Merlin Entertainments Group has announced an $8 million, five month refurbishment plan for Victoria's award-winning iconic tourist attraction, Melbourne Aquarium.

Melbourne Aquarium will be taken to a whole new world class level by Merlin Entertainments, the world's No 2 visitor attraction operator, which acquired the attraction in mid-2012, and which also owns the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and many others. Melbourne Aquarium will undergo its first complete attraction overhaul since opening in 2000.

The revitalised attraction will fly the world famous, global SEA LIFE banner and join 44 SEA LIFE centres across the world when the refurbishment is completed in September 2013. Globally recognised as the number one aquarium brand, SEA LIFE is renowned as a centre of excellence for marine management, education, interactive exhibits and conservation. This merge with SEA LIFE will set the benchmark for some of the brand new activities and exciting exhibits that will open to the public from now until September.

"As one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Australia, we are delighted to be able to further enhance the attraction's world class reputation and continue to grow its global marine conservations efforts while providing a truly interactive and educational experience for visitors" said Edward Fuller, Divisional Director, Merlin Entertainments Group.

The $8M refurbishment, which is already underway, will employ a phased-like approach to ensure minimum disruption is caused, continuing to provide guests with an unrivalled aquarium experience.

When complete, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will feature 12 new amazing zones of discovery, including interactive animal encounters, iconic state of the art displays, hundreds of new species including the world's largest collection of seahorses and many more that are set be revealed in the coming months.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will continue to drive it's unprecedented, globally recognised, conservation work pioneering strong ethical and environmental values - BREED, RESCUE and PROTECT. Home to the world's leading aquarists visitors will continued to be met with an excellent, educational and engaging experience.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium has commenced work to support the SEA LIFE Conservation Fund Australia to treat animals as an educational resource and present them alongside educational programs to provide visitors with opportunities to learn about the biology, status and conservation of native species.

What:  SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium relaunch

When:  April - September 2013

Opening hours:  9:30am - 6pm daily

Cost:  Prices from $26.25 online. Walk-up price - Adults: $35, Children (4-15yrs): $21.50, Concession: $29

Contact:  03 9923 5999

For more information on SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, please visit: www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

For more information, to arrange an interview or request photography, please contact:

Rachel de Graaf 
Hausmann Communications
02 8353 5787
Rachel.degraaf@hausmann.com.au

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS

is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 97 attractions, eight hotels/two holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 21,000 employees.

Merlin currently has thirteen attractions in Australia and New Zealand including the stunning Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts in Victoria; WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island; Madame Tussauds, Sydney; Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures and Otway Fly Treetop Adventures & Zip Line; the Sydney Tower Eye & SKYWALK; SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, Melbourne Aquarium, Underwater World in Mooloolaba, Queensland; Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auckland - underlining the company's position as the world's biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz  for more information.

SEA LIFE

Centres are the world's biggest aquarium chain. There are 41centres in all in 14 different countries in the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia. They are owned and operated by the UK-based Merlin Entertainments Group, the world's second largest attractions company which also owns iconic attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Alton Towers, the LEGOLAND parks, the London Dungeon and Gardaland in Italy. SEA LIFE Centres open a window into the magical world beneath our seas with displays housing everything from shrimps and starfish to seahorses, rays and sharks. The network also campaigns actively on a variety of marine conservation issues from shark-finning and whaling to sea turtle protection.
For more information visit www.visitsealife.com  or contact: Mark Oakley - +44 1202 440040 Mob: +44 7977 990517 or Ellie Cowley - +44 1202 440066 Mob: +44 7922 591684.