Distant Journeys Blog

New Zealand is a remarkable country by any measure, boasting some stunning scenery and a laid-back lifestyle and culture. Its also a place full of wonderful wildlife that you simply can’t find anywhere else. So what are the top ten Kiwi animals we think you should meet?   Hector’s dolphin   The world’s smallest species of dolphin is often to be found darting and gliding in the waves off..

What makes Rotorua so remarkable? Well, the dramatic landscape – sometimes dusted with snow and ice to add the finishing touch – certainly helps. There’s also no shortage of things to see and do, and we highly recommend you take a mountain bike trail amid glistening lakes and lush, verdant forests. But what makes Rotorua unique is its Māori culture – and there’s no better way to explore it than vi..

One of the great ways that you can appreciate Sydney and all its beauty is with a relaxing picnic in one of the many parks and nature spots. With stunning scenery and beautiful weather, settling down for a picnic in this bustling city should surely be on any visitor’s bucket list. We’ve picked just five of the best picnic places in and around Sydney so that when you decide to go to Australia you’l..

Christchurch is a must-stop destination on a tour of New Zealand. The largest city in the South Island, it’s home to nearly 400,000 people – and it’s remarkably vibrant and varied. While many people choose to stay over and spread out their visit, its also small enough that you can see its highlights in a single day. Here are the things you shouldn’t miss out on when visiting Christchurch. (more..

The amazing beaches are one of the best reasons to visit Australia. Offering golden sands bathed in brilliant sunshine, these are the ultimate destinations in which to become a beach bum. But where are the finest beaches to savour in this vast, enigmatic continent? (more…)..

Three hours’ drive or a 35-minute flight north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands is a subtropical paradise encompassing 144 islands as well as numerous charming villages including Kerikeri, Russell, Paihia and Opua. A mecca for water sports lovers, the Bay of Islands attracts visitors from all over the world to marvel at its stunning scenery. But this isn’t just a place to see and be seen: there’s p..

Chocolate is a soft spot for the vast majority of people, and Melbourne has a particularly fine selection of chocolatiers and cafes. There are endless things to do in Melbourne for first timers, but making time to sample some of the delicious treats deserves to be high up on your list. Below are just a few of the many fantastic chocolate shops in Melbourne that you’ll want to visit on a trip to th..

It’s all too easy to lump Australia and New Zealand together – they’re in the same part of the world and the people have similar accents (though no self-respecting Aussie or Kiwi will thank you for saying so). But they’re also a world apart, and not just because New Zealand’s temperate climate and verdant landscape bear little resemblance to Australia’s searing heat and awesomely desolate Outback...

Auckland isn’t just New Zealand’s largest city – it’s also the most diverse, the most multicultural and the most interesting. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll feel spoiled for choice – but if your budget is starting to feel stretched or you simply fancy a change, here are a few cost-free ideas to take you off the beaten track.  (more…)..

Australia is one of the most remarkable places you could ever hope to visit. The only country that’s also a continent, it’s unimaginably vast and packed with wildlife you simply won’t find anywhere else. It’s also home to no fewer than 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here are just a few of our favourites. (more…)..