Distant Journeys Blog

Situated on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, the Otago Peninsula is regarded as the wildlife capital of New Zealand. It’s home to some of the most unique animals in New Zealand, and is especially well-known for its seabirds, penguins and seals. If you’re a wildlife lover looking to see animals and birds that can’t be seen anywhere else, be sure not to miss these Otago Peninsula wildli..

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..

One of the world’s very best city destinations, Sydney is the biggest city in Australia, with an equally large variety of landmarks, places to see and things to do (take a look at these five great attractions in Sydney for starters). Alongside the incredible sightseeing the city has to offer, there are so many fun things to do in Sydney, from adrenaline-fuelled activities to unusual attractions. T..

China is undoubtedly a culinary giant on the world stage, with Chinese food and restaurants enjoyed all over the world, especially here in the United Kingdom. What many people don’t know is that the food in China is quite different to what has become popular over here, with several well-known dishes being quite different to the real deal in China.   Getting a taste of authentic Chinese food i..

With a mixture of landscapes across this vast and diverse land, ranging from arid desert to lush rainforest, its no surprise that Australia is, simply put, one of the best countries in the world to visit for wildlife encounters.   You’ll find a real array of unmissable wildlife in Australia, with your travels throughout this amazing country enabling you to encounter up-close wild animals you..

A laid-back suburb of Sydney, a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, Manly and the nearby North Head seem worlds apart from lively Sydney, the largest city in Australia. If you’re after somewhere with a more relaxed atmosphere as well as plenty of coastal scenery to marvel at, North Head and Manly are both great places to visit on a day out from Sydney.   The ferry ride alone is an advent..

A short journey from the coastal city of Cairns on Australia’s north east coast transports you to another world: the lush green paradise of the Daintree Rainforest. One of the best places to visit in Australia for nature lovers, the rainforest is famously known for being rich in flora and fauna. Read on to find out even more about this natural wonder with ten of our favourite Daintree Rainforest f..

One of the many reasons why people visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is its vast array of aquatic and marine life, and there is no better example of that diversity than in the many species of Great Barrier Reef fish.   Alongside the animals and sea creatures such as rays and turtles in the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll discover that the colourful coral reefs are home to several different..

Founded during the Western Zhou dynasty between 1041 BC and 771 BC, Pingyao is one of China’s best-preserved ancient cities. Awarded World Heritage Status in 1997, Pingyao is one of the stand-out highlights of our China tours from the UK.   Although the city’s origins date back almost 3000 years, this exquisite walled town flourished during the Ming dynasty especially (between 1368 and 1644),..

With a history that stretches back to the origins of Australia as we know it, a cultural scene drawing influences from all over the world, and natural scenery to rival anywhere else on the planet, Melbourne is definitely on the list of essential places to visit in Australia.   As one of Australia’s largest cities, there is a real variety of things to do in Melbourne. If you’re new to the city..