Review: Family Trip to Australia & New Zealand, Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Great Barrier Reef, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Hobbiton

- Phillip Island Penguin Parade: The underground observation, though expensive upgrade, was really worthwhile.  Having done the general observation area in the past, it was fun to watch the groups of penguins come in, but we really couldn't see them up close.  The underground observation area only allows about 70 guests when there may be 2000-3000 visitors that day.  Our main need was to shelter the seniors from the cold, but it was also the most comfortable way to experience the penguins.  We watched the little penguins at eye level waddled up from the beach and some even walked up to the glass to peoples' faces.  Some were in a molting stage and extremely overweight and their waddle was so cute.

- Kuranda skyrail/wildlife parks:  Cairns was the only place we were able to hold and take pictures with koalas.  The bird sanctuary warned us to remove all jewelry and loose items.  The birds really landed on us and tried to use their beaks to pry open our backpacks!  The butterflies sanctuary was full of butterflies but not as colorful as displayed. two butterflies landed on my hand.  The view of Barron falls from the skyrail and the skysail stop was spectacular.  Due to the heaviest rains in 20 years, the falls were very full.  This was also the unfortunate part, as the train tracks had been damaged due to mud and rock slides and we were unable to go for the train ride.

- Great barrier reef: We boarded on our boat. We booked the SNUBA and Helmet diving excursion.  The SNUBA was great.  We had previously scuba dived in the great barrier reef but this time we had our kids with us and they could swim, but had not learned snorkeling or gotten scuba certified.  "SNUBA" was a great mix of snorkeling (the kids breathed through the scuba mouthpieces so that they wouldn't accidentally drink water from snorkeling too deep) and scuba without having to wear all gear.  The adults got weighted down so that we could swim closer to the coral and animals, but everyone was tethered to the raft holding the oxygen tanks and the guide, so we were always together.  The helmet dive was great for the people who weren't good swimmers or didn't know how to swim.  The seniors were able ride the glass bottom boat and semi-submersible boat rides and then relaxed inside the air-conditioned ship.  Lunch was great and plenty of fruit and snacks were provided on the ride back to the pier.  Ice cream was yummy and at a great price $3 to $4.  

-Ruaraki Caves/Waitomo Glowworm Caves: We booked the Ruaraki Cave because it was handicap accessible, but it turned out to be the better tour.  Of the 2 caves, it was the only one that we were allowed to take pictures in.  Our guide was so friendly, informative, and helpful. We had a group of 18, our family of 14 with another family of 4.  She even helped to push one of the wheelchairs and helped take our group pictures.  The Ruaraki caves showcases the stalagmites and stalagtites really beautifully. We could get up close to the "glowworms" to view their strands and actually see a fully grown "worm" (fyi - they are actually maggots/fly larvae).  The Waitomo Glowworm Cave boat ride was great.  It really felt like being under the night sky.  However, the tour was much bigger (maybe 30-40 people in the group), we weren't allowed to take any pictures, even in the "cathedral" area, and the guide didn't exit with us off the boat, so we couldn't ask any questions afterwards.  Had I not been to the Ruaraki Cave first, I would have found the boat ride a little lacking.

-Te Puia geothermal geyser:  We watched the Maori cultural show and my husband even volunteered to be the chief because it offered our group to sit in the front row.  As chief, he and many of the other visitors also participated in the performance, learning one of the traditional dances.  The area around the geyser is beautiful.  We walked to the top of the geyser and waited for it to erupt.  The geyser erupted for over 20 minutes, so we were able to take great pictures and videos of the event.

-Rotorua mountain biking: There are great trails for mountain biking.  My husband was able to go to a bike shop in town and rent a Specialized brand bike for half day for $100.  The rental staff suggested the bike app that he could download that didn't require wifi.  The trails are clearly marked with levels of difficulty and an entrance and exit so you aren't worried about someone crashing into you.

- Hobbiton/Lord of the Rings Movie Set: The area is very beautiful and it was very fun to see the little hobbit homes.  however, the tour groups are very large and it's difficult to try to listen to the guide and take pictures too.  The best thing at the end of the tour is the glass of ice cold ginger beer.  A golf cart drove the handicapped members of our group and they enjoyed chatting with their guide.