Rafting through a rugged sub-Antarctic landscape, surrounded by colonies of penguins: this is the immersion Sydney Aquarium is promising visitors in a new world-first experience.
Inspired by Macquarie Island in the southwest Pacific Ocean, Penguin Expedition which launched at Sydney Aquarium on Monday allows visitors to observe colonies of King and Gentoo penguins in conditions as close as possible to their natural environment, without leaving Darling Harbour.
![The penguin expedition recreates their sub-Antarctic conditions, with a temperature of six degrees.](/web/20170102150318im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/3/1/p/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt9ct6.png/1482197381579.jpg)
The project is underpinned by a breeding and conservation program which hopes to glean new insight into the inner workings of penguin colonies that will help facilitate their survival in the wild. The marine biologists working on the program anticipate that the penguins, which were transported from Melbourne Aquarium, will begin breeding next year.
Educating visitors about threats to the survival of penguins and other sea life is a cornerstone of the attraction, which raises awareness of the damage inflicted by single-use plastic products contaminating the ocean. A research project assessing plastic contamination rates in penguins on Macquarie Island has also been commissioned, led by marine biologist Dr Jennifer Lavers.
![Penguins roam freely in an environment built to mimic that of Macquarie Island.](/web/20170102150318im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/9/3/1/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt9ct6.png/1481530840164.jpg)
"Penguin Expedition is more than a world first ride," says Rob Smith, divisional director of Merlin Entertainments ANZ. "It's about inspiring our guests to conserve our marine life for future generations and educating them on the simple ways they can make a difference."
The $9 million project is the largest investment in the aquarium's 28-year history.