Aquascene

Larrakeyah, NT

Kids Fun

4 (5 reviews)

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Where are we going?

Address: 28 Doctors Gully Rd, Larrakeyah NT 0820, Australia _{How do we get there?} Number: 8 8981 7837

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Attractions in Larrakeyah

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About this activity

Since the early 1950s a unique and natural phenomena occurs on the high tide amongst the tranquil tropical waters of Darwin’s Doctors Gully... At Aquascene hundreds of friendly local wild fish swim to the shallow shoreline in search of a gratuitous meal of fresh bread. Over the course of this enduring 60 plus year tradition, the fish have shed their normal shyness and are willingly hand-fed to the delight of thousands of fascinated locals and tourists every year.

Due to the large tidal movements of Darwin’s harbour, which can be up to eight metres, the fish can only visit Aquascene for a few hours each day before returning back out to sea with the receding tide. How many fish you see is determined daily by tide size, wind and water clarity, breeding cycles and general seasonal weather conditions, but you will always see fish! Morning sessions are usually best, with fish numbers at their highest between December and August.

Regular daily fish visitors include an array of friendly and inquisitive milkfish, mullet, catfish, bream, batfish and barramundi. If you look carefully in the shallows a number of their other ‘shyer’ friends can also be seen outside of the ‘main mob’ who flock in closer to the feeding action. These can include rays, cod, mangrove jack, parrot and diamond fish.

You can choose to feed the fish from the comfort of the concrete stairs of the viewing platform or wade into the water and have them tickle your feet as they jostle over each other to take the bread from you!

Activity location

Directions

The Big Red hop on – hop off bus will drop off visitors at the top of Doctors Gully Road, Darwin Visitor Centre at the Bennett Street end of the Smith Street Mall.

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How much does it cost?

Adults

$15

Children

$10

Free Under

3 years

Last Updates

2023

Aquascene FAQ’s

It is safe to wade in the waters amongst the busy feeding fish: they have no teeth or dangerous barbs, however as a precaution they advise no further than knee deep during the box jelly fish months of May to October. No one has ever been stung at Aquascene, the fish seem to build a natural barrier as there’s so many of them, but they ask that you keep to the visible shallow waters just in case.

They offer group visits, just get in touch!