What is Kelly Tarlton Underworld?

W.A.L.T; make our writing succinct

Kelly Tarlton Underworld is a prominent, underground aquatic museum, located around east Auckland, New Zealand.

The aquarium was founded and named after an eminent man called Kelvin (Kelly) Tarlton. He is a renowned marine archaeologist, treasure hunter, diver, inventor and conservationist. Kelly’s driving passion, was looking for a unique way of displaying his foundings throughout his underwater experiences. He also wanted to showcase his love for the ocean with others. Kelly dedicated the last years of his life towards designing the innovative place out of grimy, disused sewage tanks on Aucklands waterfront. His work was obviously successful but unfortunately at 40 years of age, he died seven weeks before the opening of the aquarium. Fortunately for Kelly, the opening of the aquatic museum, on the 25th of January 1985, was an instant success. Within the first hour, 200 people attended. Even now to this very day, the attendance of tourists and visitors have ranged an extraordinary amount.

A sea life aquarium can’t be complete without sea life. At Kelly Tarltons you’ll see everything from crayfish, lobsters, moray eels, to spiny sea dragons(seahorses) and stingrays. The most common sea creatures are fish. There are various tropical fish displays, where colour and beauty is exceptional and odd fish is known as clown. There are also other peculiar yet intriguing fish species such as Puffer fish, Butterfly fish, Clownfish, Lionfish and abnormal sized jellyfish(not really a fish specie but contains “fish” in its name”.) There are individual tanks full of a variety of fish species where you get a close-up view of the alluring colours of the fish and their distinctive characteristics which make them unique.

The Antarctic Ice adventure facility at Kelly Tarlton's home to New Zealand's only colony of Antarctic penguins. The display, gives visitors an up close, rare opportunity to see the birds closely in their Antarctic like habitat. There are two species of penguins in the aquarium, Gentoo penguins and King Penguins. The Antarctic ice adventure is one of the most successful breeding programs in the planet as well as the world's largest display of antarctic penguins. Occasionally, the aquarium allows visitors to encounter with the stunning penguins.

Not only do you get a visual view of the marvelous sea animals, but there are also interactive facilities. The rockpool area, the shark cage and shark dive. At the rockpool, you get the chance to touch the hand sized starfish. In a separate tank, the other rock pool animals rest peacefully, undisturbed. If you want some more hands on action, the underwater world has you covered with the shark cage and for the more interactive activity, the shark dive. Aquariums gets you close to aquatic animals but these experiences get you even closer. It’s an exclusive opportunity to get you eye to eye with the incredible sea animals.

There are several other Kelly Tarlton facilities such as the seahorse kingdom, Scott Base, the shark tunnel, NIWA southern oceans and shipwreck discovery which are all informative and captivating. There is one particular zone in the aquarium that will forsure intrigue you, The Amazing Creations. The Amazing creations, sponsored by Crayola, is the new addition to the aquarium, where you can design your own fish and watch it swim digitally. Your creation will project in a tank in front of you, before joining the other beautiful creations on a huge interactive projection wall. While you’re in the zone, you’ll learn more about why the unique features of sea animals exist in nature. Also, you’ll find more about the issues facing coral reefs and how it affects vibrant sea animals.

Kelly Tarltons contains the most unique of displays and projects originality through the sea animals and aquarium facilities. It is a place of wonders and showcases a brilliant image of the creators invention. You’ll see the upmost enthralling sea animals and learn about the antarctic history of New Zealand.