Ratings and Accreditation
Contact Details
Address:
The Foreshore
Picton
Postal Address:
PO Box 506
Freephone
0800 800 081
Phone
03 573 6030
Fax:
03 573 6045
Email:
info@eoworldnz.co.nz
Website:
www.ecoworldnz.co.nz
Your Hosts:
John Reuhman
Sights & Activities - Arts, Heritage and Culture
Wow discover New Zealand's amazing native creatures and perhaps take in a nature movie at Picton Cinemas
EcoWorld Aquarium and Terrarium (formerly called Seahorse World Aquarium) is a really fun place to visit, with one of the largest collections of New Zealand marine life, plus tuatara, lizards, frogs and a turtle refuge.
Seahorses from tiny babies we breed ourselves, to adult New Zealand pot-bellied Seahorses.
Tuataras New Zealand's living fossil. There are now only about 400 Brothers tuataras still alive.
Monster of the deep - never seen alive, preserved 5 metre giant squid
Sharks, crayfish, rays, octopus, cod, snapper, hundreds of other fish and rocky shore display
Lizards, frogs, weta, turtles in a turtle refuge
Marine mammals display - life-size Orca and Hectors dolphin models, whaling and conservation
Touch pool, shells, marine fossils, videos and many highly informative displays
Movies and displays. Hunt for the Giant Squid and The Old Whalers Return
Our knowledgeable, friendly staff really help you discover the amazing Seahorse and the cool creatures that live in the Marlborough Sounds. We are scientists and our presentations are tailored from fun-based discovery for primary, to more scientific marine biology for senior students and adults.
Opening hours 9am daily (last schools admission 4pm)
Presentations & feeding 11am and 2pm daily
Guided tours for groups throughout the day
Gift shop shells, crystals, minerals, fossils and unique Coast Cards & gifts
Atawhai Cafe drinks & snacks
Schools programme guided tour of the aquarium & terrarium
Primary School creative and interactive programmes for Social Studies
Students $8
Adults accompanying $8
Teachers Free
Secondary School focussed on science and biology students
students $8
Adults accompanying $8
teachers Free
Pre-School delightful programme for 3-5 year olds - stories and getting hands wet
Children $5
Adults accompanying $5
Teachers Free
Important information for schools and groups
We recommend you spend at least one and a half hours at EcoWorld.
Bookings are essential and should be made at least two weeks in advance.
The minimum group size is 10 persons.
All prices in $NZ, include GST, are based per person and are subject to change without notice.
NB. Payment is on or before the day by cash, cheque, credit card. Students can pay individually.
Teachers are encouraged to make a free visit to familiarise themselves, before a class visit.
For more information please contact Michelle Way
Retail & Admissions Manager at EcoWorld.
phone 03 573 6030
free phone 0800 800 081
fax 03 573 6045
email info@ecoworldnz.co.nz
Picton Cinemas @ the movies www.pictoncinemas.co.nz
You might also consider watching a special screening of a great nature movie at Picton Cinemas, located right inside the EcoWorld building, just 85 metres from the Interisland Terminal.
Nature movies we can screen for you include: The White Planet, Deep Blue and Travelling Birds.
Movie admission - Adults $9 Child $9
---
Our Living Reefs vital to our lives!
Marlborough's nearshore rocky reefs are diverse, dynamic and capable of endless surprise. Often cold, murky and difficult to visit they provide a haven for rare and endangered species. This adds to their fascination and importance. Marlborough's rocky reefs also support major commercial fisheries for species such as blue cod, snapper, crayfish, paua and kina.
In Maori mythology Maui pulled the North Island, (Te Ika a Maui), from the ocean depths while fishing from his canoe (Te Waka a Maui), South Island. The rocky reefs that resulted from this legendary fishing tale provided much of the kai moana (food) on which pre-colonial Maori relied for animal protein. Reef species were integral in the settlement of Maori ownership claims of fisheries resources under the Treaty of Waitangi, a founding document of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
At EcoWorld we seek to tell you about the amazing life of the rich and diverse marine environment of the rocky reefs in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and life on the islands of the Sounds.
We hope we will increase your understanding and appreciation of the environment, fostering a conservation ethic in the management of our ecosystems.
Our vision is a global environment in which ecosystems are healthy, understood and valued.
(Dr Andrew Morgan, Director EcoWorld Aquarium & Terrarium)