Distant Journeys Official Blog

The cuddly giant panda is not only a national symbol of China but also their national animal. China is leading the way in preserving this wonderful species, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction, with numbers of giant pandas in China rising by almost 20% in the past decade.   If you’re wondering where to see giant pandas in China, there are numerous places across the countr..

Together in the South Pacific on the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand aren’t just neighbours – in fact their relationship with each other is more like that of a big and small sibling. There are many similarities between Australia and New Zealand that provoke a feeling of familiarity when travelling between the two; yet they still have several differences that make both worth a vi..

Home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, New Zealand is steeped in natural beauty, and one of the more unusual ways to experience this is in its caves. There are a few caves in New Zealand that are truly magical and awe-inspiring when you walk around inside, and this is because the towering walls, stalagmites and stalactites are decorated with bioluminescent glow worms.   The..

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..

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 thought..

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..