Taronga Zoo – Great Southern Ocean Precinct (Aquatics)

With a breathtaking view over Sydney harbour, Taronga Zoo’s expansive Great Southern Ocean precinct opened to the public to provide a beautiful space for zoo guests to play and to view marine life in a series of environments that emulate natural ocean habitats.

A shallow children’s beach pool in the precinct, with circulating water, waves and ‘blow hole’ appears as a natural ocean rock pool, and, whilst a fun play space for young visitors to the zoo, water quality is stringently controlled to ensure it meets all health and safety requirements.

To achieve the natural habitats that would complement the ocean side location and natural marine environment, the design developed by Oceanis included sea water and freshwater distribution, treatment, and recycling for the pools and beach play areas.

An ozone disinfection system was designed for the five salt water pools and one fresh water pool to optimise sterilisation while achieving beautiful and safe water play and viewing.

With a ready supply of nearby seawater, Oceanis designed a sea water distribution system for all the precinct’s pools, including safe return to the ocean. 

A sea water quality monitoring program ensures all returned water meets stringent NSW EPA requirements.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the very high level of water quality achieved has been an important contributor to increasing attendance numbers at the zoo and the overall success of this new precinct.

Oceanis continues to support Taronga Zoo in its seawater quality monitoring program, assisting its staff to work closely with the NSW EPA in meeting strict water quality regulations.