Magnificent Tropical Rays Are Released Into Their New Home at Sydney Aquarium

Sydney Aquarium today unveiled a brand new exhibit to the public - the Tropical Bay of Rays - one of fourteen new exhibits set to reopen as part of the attraction's extensive $10M refurbishment program.

A team of dedicated Sydney Aquarium aquarists have expertly manoeuvred the exotic marine rays into their new home, the Tropical Bay of Rays exhibit - a centralised tank, surrounded by tropical palms and a pink illuminated sunset scene. The exhibit will be home to a variety of unique species including the Leopard Whipray, the Blue-spotted Maskray, the Blue-spotted Fantail Ray, the Leopard Shark and the White-spotted Guitarfish.

This is the first time this colourful collection of animals - many of which are endangered or threatened - has been displayed together in the world.

In the Tropical Bay of Rays exhibit, it is hard to miss the Leopard Whipray with its leopard-like markings and elongated thin whip tail. Some grow to have a tail 3.5 times longer than their bodies! Guests will also be mesmerised by the electric blue spots of the Blue-spotted Maskray and the Blue-spotted Fantail Ray as they glide through the exhibit.

Also living alongside these stingrays is the Leopard Shark, which is immediately identifiable due to the striking large spots all over its back. This species is also known as the Zebra shark as they are born with stripes - not spots! The White-spotted Guitarfish is also part of this unique collection of marine animals, with its three fins, guitar-shaped body and white spots.

The new area will give visitors an up-close glimpse into the lives of these graceful creatures and will also offer a variety of interactive opportunities including daily feeds and informative talks on the different species.

The new Tropical Bay of Rays exhibit is just one of many exciting activities on offer to the public ahead of the attraction's grand reopening as SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium this September.

What: Sydney Aquarium, Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour (right next door to WILD LIFE Sydney)

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm daily

Cost: Prices from $17.50 when you book online. Walk-up price - Adults: $35, Children (4-15yrs): $20, Concession: $28.

For the best value, combine Sydney Aquarium with a pick and mix of your other favourite Sydney attractions including WILD LIFE Sydney, Madame Tussauds Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary.

(Source: Travmedia.com)

Vivid Sydney Transforms Harbour Sydney

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner officially opened the fourth annualVivid Sydney festival last Friday by ‘Lighting the Sails’ of the Sydney Opera House, unveiling a stunning visual feast of colour, movement, and world-class digital artistry to the delight of tens of thousands of enthralled viewers lining the harbour foreshore.

The Sydney Opera House sails were awash with 3D projections by multi-award winning German design team URBANSCREEN, featuring giant dancers lying and moving across the sails, sails seemingly billowing in the breeze and other special effects. A compelling soundtrack was amplified from various points around Circular Quay. Vivid Sydney, which runs from 25 May to 11 June, was developed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

Mr Stoner said Vivid Sydney reinforced Sydney’s position as Australia’s global city and as a creative hub of the Asia-Pacific. “Vivid Sydney is the largest celebration of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Stoner said.

“Vivid was recently declared one of the top ten ideas festivals in the world by the influential Guardian Newspaper.

“With over 60 interactive and immersive light installations – 20 more than last year – Vivid Sydney transforms the Sydney Opera House, Customs House, Circular Quay, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), The Rocks, and, for the first time, Walsh Bay,” Mr Stoner said.

The MCA will showcase a world-first collaboration featuring global music icon will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), who will visit Vivid Sydney as Director of Creative Innovation for Vivid Sydney partner Intel. In a unique installation, members of the public literally ‘play the building’ via a purpose-built interface that interacts with will.i.am’s music and the projections of renowned Sydney artist Justene Williams.