The cafe, combined with an adjoining butterfly house and turtle enclosure, is set under an enormous indoor water tank displaying a variety of rescued shark and stingray species.

Owner Andrew Tindale's daughter Charlotte Tindale, who is studying marine science at university, said that new additions had proved to be an overwhelming winner with visiting families and children.

"It has been a slow opening since December and the feedback to date has been terrific. The kids just love the butterflies and turtles, most of which have been rescued from netting, while the adults enjoy the scene in the underwater cafe," she said.

"Many people comment about how the creation really is something that must be experienced to be appreciated."

Reopened and revamped in 2020 as a kid-friendly rescue centre located on Marsh Road, Bobs Farm, the tourism attraction is entirely under cover and gives visitors the opportunity to wet their feet while feeding the huge array of underwater animals.

The investment in the cafe and adjoining attractions allows visitors a one and a half to two hour lunch experience or morning/afternoon tea, where they can enjoy a drink and a snack with the many species of butterflies then sit in the world's only underwater cafe with the sharks and rays swimming above them.

"We have up to 60 captive bred butterflies including lurchers, common egg flies, cruisers, birdwings and lemon migrants, and the turtles are well cared and rehabilitated before being moved on to aquariums," said Charlotte.

Mr Tindale re-established the revamped Rescue Centre as a partnership with some of the area's commercial fishermen by providing injured and damaged sea creatures a second chance at life.

"We work with local commercial fishers to help save injured and damaged sharks and rays which sometimes get caught in fishing nets. Once released they would find it difficult to survive in the wild so we take them on and help rehabilitate them," Mr Tindale said.

"With the help of local fishermen we have saved a range of sharks and estuary rays, which are accidentally injured. We take them into care which otherwise they end up at the fish markets or as pet food.

"We have come up with a pretty amazing offer with the dine and discover vouchers which can be used for both the rescue centre and the cafe/butterfly house."

For information go to sharkray.com.au.

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