We did a guided tour to Australia and New Zealand in 2017. We began in Cairns, Australia. After few days, we flew to Sydney. From Sydney, we flew to Christchurch. After a few days, we then went to Queenstown.

Biggest bats we have ever seen. They must have been at least three feet long. It was spectacular when they flew off at dusk.

Glass (plastic?) bottom boats

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Coral was already being bleached due to climate change.

Didgeridoo demonstration
Craig throwing a boomerang
Us with performers
Don't try this at home
Suzie holding a koala
A kangaroo accustomed to people. However, it had a lot of fleas.
It doesn't look like the Warner Brothers Tasmanian Devil.

Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background

Tour Group photo

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Best way to see a crocodile close up

Duck Billed Platypus
Dugong
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Christchurch is in the background

The Church of New Zealand cathedral was badly destroyed in the 2011 earthquake. What to do with the cathedral was unresolved during our visit. However, in 2025 a decision was made to rebuild the cathedral. The New Cathedral is the temporary cathedral.

World Trade Center steel is on the Avon as a tribute to the firefighters who died on 9/11.

As it was in 2017. It is expected to reopen in 2030.

Blue penguins at the center (US spelling). This is a cross the street from the United States Antarctic Program. The center has educational exhibits and experiences of the Antarctic including being in a room at a -46 degrees.

The highlight was the rough ride in a Hägglund, a vehicle used in Antarctica.
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