Distant Journeys Blog

Among the most beautiful of the Great Barrier Reef islands, the Whitsunday Islands are becoming a popular tourist destination in their own right, thanks to their stunning scenery and brilliant activities. The Whitsundays are made up of 74 islands in total, each offering white sands, lush forests and pure tranquility.   Many visitors will take just a Whitsundays day tour, while others will wan..

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, thanks to its proximity to the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover River. Whether you’re after a thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled activity to get the heart pumping, or something a little more gentle that offers up incredible views, there are a whole host of brilliant things to do in Queenstown. Here are five activities you shouldn..

Offering a variety of world class sport ranging from cricket to rugby, horse racing and its very own Aussie rules football (AFL), Australia is renowned for its sporting heritage and is home to some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. As part of our guided tours of Australia departing from the UK, you’ll get to visit many of the sports stadiums and grounds up close, and even take a tour of..

One of the main reasons that China is such a popular travel destination is its spectacular nature, whether it’s the variety of natural landscapes, which can range from lush forests to dazzling lakes and dramatic mountains, or the sheer biodiversity of this vast country, which is home to pandas, leopards, monkeys and elephants.   This biodiversity can not only be seen in China’s fauna but also..

From kangaroos to koalas, Australia is renowned for its diverse native wildlife. As Australia’s largest city, Sydney is one of the best places to take part in a variety of animal encounters, meeting a whole host of Australian animals, from wallabies to crocodiles. If the native wildlife is one of the main reasons you’re visiting, check out these top animal encounters in Sydney and get close to som..

Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra… the list of great Australian cities to visit is endless. And when you’re there it’s easy to see why they are such a joy to visit – not only are they home to a variety of wonderful attractions, but also some incredible views and architecture. Undoubtedly the best way to take in one of these charming cities is by observation deck – from up high you can enjoy stunn..

A lakeside town and region on New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is one of the most romantic places in New Zealand, famed for its geothermal pools and hot springs. The geothermal pools in Rotorua are great to visit at any time of year, with the incredible geothermal landscapes and geysers offering endless photo opportunities. Their naturally warm waters are also perfect for relaxing in and lettin..

The largest National Park in all of Australia, covering 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is one of Australia’s most spectacular places to visit.   There are several reasons why you should visit Kakadu National Park. With its diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands and forests to gorges and waterfalls, Kakadu is teeming with wildlife. It’s also famous for its ancient rock art an..

Part of New Zealand’s famous Canterbury wine region, the Waipara Valley is just an hour north of Christchurch and a perfect destination for those who love their food and drink. Thousands visit Waipara Valley not only for the food produced amongst its rolling hills, such as venison, beef and organic fruits and vegetables, but also to sample the wines made at the dozens of wineries in the area. The..

Escorted tours are becoming an increasingly popular way to travel, especially for those who are keen to visit a destination but don’t enjoy planning the logistics. But what exactly does an escorted tour involve? As escorted tour specialists, we’ll explain how this immersive way of travelling works, and also dispel some of the myths about escorted tours which simply aren’t true. The origins of the..