Discover the Most Scenic Routes from London to Australia

Covering some of the most beautiful and culturally fascinating terrain on earth, this route offers a lifetime of memories. However, with so many potential pathways between the two regions, how do you choose the right one? Here are some of the most breathtaking and rewarding routes to consider when planning your London to Australia trek.

One excellent option is to head east through Europe, traversing the historic cities of Brussels, Berlin, Warsaw, and Moscow before entering the wild expanses of Central Asia. Crossing the Caspian Sea, you’ll arrive in the Caucasus Mountains, offering some of the most dramatic peaks and valleys I’ve encountered in my own travels. Continuing through Kazakhstan, spend time exploring the futuristic capital of Astana before entering Mongolia, where the endless grasslands, nomadic herders, and clear night skies provide an antidote to the chaos of urban life.

My favorite part of the Central Asia route is the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan, especially Samarkand with its majestic Registan square anchored by tilting medieval mosques seemingly straight out of A Thousand and One Nights. Just don’t make my mistake of getting food poisoning from questionable street kebabs in Bukhara! After the architectural wonders of Uzbekistan, traverse the barren but beautiful landscapes of Turkmenistan. From here, cross briefly into Iran before entering Pakistan with a trip up the thrilling Karakoram Highway into China and onwards towards Southeast Asia.

For a slightly different experience, an equally rewarding route is to head south from London through France, Italy, Croatia, and Turkey before entering Iran and Central Asia. This provides opportunities to explore icons like Venice’s canals, Istanbul’s markets, and Dubrovnik’s red-tiled roofs before enjoying the majesty of places like Persepolis in Iran. Crossing the Caspian Sea, you can join the Silk Road route east through Uzbekistan and beyond. Let’s travel Australia in a unique way.

Upon reaching Southeast Asia, many overland travelers from London make Thailand their first stop for its golden temples, flavorsome cuisine, and tropical island getaways. However, I encourage venturing further off the beaten track by traveling overland through Laos and northern Vietnam as well. Take a cruise among the jagged limestone peaks of Halong Bay before winding your way up through China, admiring the Great Wall and Terracotta Army along the way.

Entering Tibet, a personal highlight was witnessing monks chanting inside age-old monasteries before passing through awe-inspiring mountain passes at 17,000 feet elevation. Just take care to account for altitude sickness! You may also opt to traverse the Himalayas through Nepal before continuing on to India via Varanasi. From here, most travelers choose to fly rather than brave an overland crossing from India to Southeast Asia.

By now you’ve earned a break in Bali or the Thai islands before taking a yacht or small ship passenger cruise from Indonesia to Darwin, Australia. From here, embark on an iconic Aussie road trip from Darwin to Adelaide seeing Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Outback along the way. With stops in Melbourne and Sydney, you’ll arrive in your final destination - Australia’s coastal gem of Perth.

Taking six to twelve months in total, this London to Australia overland journey allows immersion in diverse cultures most tourists barely scratch the surface of. You’ll be transformed forever with memories and friendships to last a lifetime. While exhausting and challenging at times, no other travel experience can compare to discovering the world by such an epic overland route.