Celebrate With Us
Building Dreams: Phase 01 of the Aquarium & Hospital
Phase 01 of the Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters project was a true community feat. Over 100 dedicated people from carpenters and concreters to engineers, electricians, and aquarists poured their skill and heart into turning a bare site into a working aquarium and marine hospital. Reusing existing buildings for education, repairing and extending secure fencing, installing display tanks and water systems, and constructing the visitor and service building all came together to make the dream real.
Construction Material Tonnage
Fingal Lagoon Inspired by Port Stephens
The lagoon was designed around the Port Stephens marine environment—a temperate lagoon that balances seasonal variability with animal health. Replicating those conditions means guests experience the coast’s character while animals live in water that’s stable, clean, and aligned with local ecology.
Temperate Reef Design
To complement the lagoon, Phase 01 also introduced a temperate reef design. Inspired by natural rocky reefs and kelp beds found along the New South Wales coast, the structures were carefully shaped. This reef design ensures that residents feel at home, while visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the marine environment.
with rockwork, ledges, and crevices for rays and small sharks to explore.
like foraging, resting, and sheltering.
by creating micro-habitats for smaller fish and invertebrates.
using eco-friendly materials that replicate the look and feel of natural reefs without disturbing wild ecosystems.
The Life Support System (LSS) is a powerhouse of engineering. With over 7 km of pipework moving 900,000 litres of water every hour, the 1.2 million litre system is completely refreshed around 18 times a day. This constant turnover ensures crystal‑clear water and stable conditions for every resident in the lagoon and display tanks.
Lagoon Conditions
Allows for natural seasonal changes
18 – 23
Matches temperate marine conditions
33 – 35
Seasonal variation within safe range
8.0 – 8.5
Maintained at zero for animal health
0