Dec 26 Sovereign Hill and Ballarat Wildlife

Two big excursions today. First we went to Sovereign Hill - an old mine turned into a tourist attraction. We saw them smelting gold, and Catherine got to hold the gold bar (heavy!). Catherine also panned for gold, rode in a coach, and tried bowling (pin bowling, not cricket bowling this time). We had lunch at Dianne and Roger's and watched part of the Australia - India cricket test match.

After lunch - Ballarat Wildlife Park which is mostly a giant petting zoo for kangaroos. We also saw many koalas, brolgas, and reptiles. Many good photos of all of us petting the kangaroos. :) it was another beautiful day - think we might have gotten a little sunburned.

Tomorrow we're going to see the school where Roger teaches and where Dianne is the librarian. I get to check out the Australian OPAC system they're using (busman's holiday).