A souvenir of a family day out

Sea Life is a chain of sea life-themed aquarium attractions owned by UK Merlin Entertainment, with over 53 (as of 2017) around the world. Merlin also run Madam Tussauds, Legoland, the Dungeon, Peppa Pig World and London Eye to name a few. (Information taken from Wikipedia, as none of the Sea Life sites I could find offered any kind of company history).

The original Sea Life opened in Oban, Scotland in 1979, with others either opening or being brought into the brand and renamed since. Sea Life Melbourne opened in 2000, expanding in 2008, 2013 and 2024.

The central feature is a 2.2 million litre (580,000 US Gallon) oceanarium, a series of rooms and corridors you can walk through, inside the aquarium itself.

(Image of the Oceanarium, from Secret Life Melbourne, who did a great write up on the attraction)

Sea Life has had controversy. In Melbourne, a Legionnaires outbreak soon after opening killed 4 people and a further 125 were infected. More widely, some locations have been criticized over animal welfare. Walking through the Melbourne aquarium, there are displays about conservation and their breeding program. The staff were very enthusiastic about the creatures in their care, describing animals they had rescued. There was one sea turtle who had been injured and needed to be nursed to health and taught to swim. In that case, the keeper advised, would not survive if returned to the wild.

Obverse

The obverse features the aquarium name, “SEA LIFE” (separated by a starfish) with “Melbourne” below.

The aquarium has machines at several locations where you can purchase pre-minted medallions which appear to be brass. The designs feature a range of creates at the aquarium. The medallions are $5.50 (AUD) each.

Reverse

The reverse features the creature selected. In this case, the (sea) Turtle, with the word above and animal swimming to the right in water. Note the “1 of 3” at the bottom, indicating the series. For the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, check out this Cape Verde Escudo. Proof or proof-like finish, the design is well struck. It’s hard not to get fingerprints all over it when purchased at the site and passed around the family! While handling is usually to be avoided on “proof” coins, the fingerprints are a reminder of a wonderful day of family memories. For the same reason I have gone with the “in-hand” photograph of the reverse, taken on the day.

The aquarium also has “pressed penny machines” which let you choose a design, then rotate the handle to press it onto a “penny”. As Australia has not used copper coins since 1991, I believe the machine uses blanks made for the purpose. In both cases, there are several locations, and the machines at each are different – so if you wish to collect all designs get them as you find them. The pressed pennies were $2.50, and the kids love turning the handle to press them.

A search on Numista brings up 94 “sea life” results for tokens, medallions and other exonumia. Not all are related to the chain, but it’s certainly a great place to start if you have an interest in sea life themed pieces.

Pesto

The big draw card at the aquarium in 2024 is “Pesto”, a baby King Penguin. He is 9 months old and weighs 21 kilos (46 lb)

There is a “Penguin” design of pressed penny at the aquarium, but due to the popularity of Pesto, it was unavailable.

While there was a wait to get inside, it actually moved fairly quickly. Our ticket was booked for 11 – 11:30 am entry, and we arrived promptly at 11. It was nearly 11:30 by the time we got to the counter and were admitted. The aquarium has 15 sections and is self-guided, so while it was busy, it didn’t feel too overcrowded for the most part and it wasn’t difficult to get to the front to see each of the attractions.