Three Must-Dos on a Biology Class Trip to the Lands Down Under

Say g’day to the animals of Australia and New Zealand on a biology trip to these lands down under. You’ll come across endless wildlife—from fish to mammals to bugs—on these three bonzer best bets. (That’s Aussie, for must-dos!)

1. Mother Nature’s Enormous Reef

Just off Australia’s northwest coast is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest natural structure on earth. (So gigantic, it can be seen from space with the naked eye.) Made from living coral growing on the skeletons of dead coral, life on the Reef is overflowing. Go snorkeling to try and spy dugongs (sea cows), sea turtles and sea snakes. Look carefully through the coral’s mesh of pink, blue and green walls to glimpse sponges, worms, starfish and crustaceans. And, see if you can spot a dolphin, whale or porpoise nearby. Once you get your land legs back on shore, watch white-breasted sea eagles and red-footed boobies patrolling the skies for their prey.

Go from a crowded sea to an equally plentiful land, and learn to speak Aussie animal-style at Featherdale Wildlife Park. This animal haven used to be a dedicated chook farm (or chicken to you and me) in the 1970s, but is now home to some of Australia’s most magnificent residents. Where else can you spot penguins, buzzards, koalas and crocs—all in the same place. You’ll also find Boomers (daddy kangaroos) and Joeys (baby kangaroos), dingoes (native Australian dogs) and Bushman’s clocks (kookaburras). Before you leave, pose for a photo with a friendly koala or kangaroo—a kool pic for your Facebook timeline!

3. Grottoes that Glow

Finally, get starstruck by thousands of glowworms that light up what’s known as the Glowworm Grotto, one of 400 dark caverns in New Zealand’s Waitomo Caves. Interestingly, these glowworms (known as titiwai to the native Maoris) aren’t worms at all. They’re baby fungus gnats that emanate blue-green light from their bodies to help them hunt for food.