Merlin Entertainments Group has announced an $8 million, five month refurbishment plan for Victoria’s award-winning iconic tourist attraction and unique venue option, Melbourne Aquarium.

Melbourne Aquarium will be taken to a whole new world class level by Merlin Entertainments, the world’s No 2 visitor attraction operator, which acquired the attraction in mid-2012, and which also owns the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower Eye and many others. Melbourne Aquarium will undergo its first complete attraction overhaul since opening in 2000.

Inside the fishbowl at Melbourne Aquarium, which will join the SEA LIFE brand following refurbishment.

The revitalised attraction will fly the world famous, global SEA LIFE banner and join 44 SEA LIFE centres across the world when the refurbishment is completed in September 2013.

“As one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Australia, we are delighted to be able to further enhance the attraction’s world class reputation and continue to grow its global marine conservations efforts while providing a truly interactive and educational experience for visitors” said Edward Fuller, divisional director, Merlin Entertainments Group.

The $8M refurbishment, which has already begun, will employ a phased-like approach to ensure minimum disruption is caused, continuing to provide guests with an unrivalled aquarium experience.

When complete, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will feature 12 new amazing zones of discovery, including interactive animal encounters, iconic state of the art displays, hundreds of new species including the world’s largest collection of seahorses and many more that are set be revealed in the coming months.