Aquarium prepares for the patter of happy feet

ANTARCTIC penguins will soon be on display for the first time in Australia as part of a $20.6 million redevelopment of the Melbourne Aquarium.

The tourist site will double in size to 6000 square metres, with much of the expansion to be taken up by the new Antarctic penguin exhibit.

Large king penguins, which are almost one metre tall, and smaller gentoo penguins will feature in the new enclosure, scheduled to open early next year.

It is believed that the exhibit, which may include some Antarctic fish and marine invertebrates, will re-create Antarctica's climate.

"What we are trying to do is give the guest an experience and a visual representation of what a visit to Antarctica might be like," said the aquarium's general manager, Rob Taranto.