Michael travelled from Melbourne to London - but didn’t get on a plane
Updated . First published
Update: An Aussie who aimed to travel from Melbourne to London without flying has reached his destination – in 118 days.
Like many retirees, Michael Kerrisk wanted to do some travelling. But forget going on a cruise, taking in the sights of Europe or venturing on a bucket list safari, the Aussie has set off on an unusual and challenging journey.
Michael is travelling from Melbourne to London - but he's not getting on a single plane @Melbourne2london
He’s now made it all the way from the suburb of Middle Park in Melbourne’s south to Middle Park, an actual park, in Greenwich, east London.
“While it has been a long journey, I have never lost sight of my goal of travelling from Middle Park in Melbourne, to Middle Park in London,” said, sharing a video of himself at the location.
He travelled by ship, bus, train and taxi.
One of his longest legs was a 34-hour train journey from Dostky to Astana in Kazakhstan.
His journey also took in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan Georgia, China, Singapore and Malaysia.
He also travelled through Malaysia, Laos, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands to the UK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael, 63, who spent his life working in communications and marketing, set off from his Aussie home city on February 4.
In a straight line his journey is 17,000km but in reality he has travelled a lot further.
His goal was to complete the feat in 120 days, with a Qantas flight home booked from Heathrow.
Retiree Michael, 63, is travelling from Melbourne to London - without flying. Supplied
Michael, who spoke to nine.com.au from a cruise ship on the way to Singapore, admitted people think he’s joking when he tells them his mission.
“Most are very surprised,” he said. “Most want to know how long it will take and what my route will be.
"Most are interested and love thought of doing it, knowing they probably never will."
He plans to make it to Europe in 120 days. Getty
Michael, who has a daughter, Bec, 20, came up with the idea after hearing about other Aussies who had attempted the feat, some successfully, others not.
It also means he'll get to finally visit some places he's always wanted to go.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Central Asia the ‘Stan’s’, and travelling the Silk Road route has always held a romantic attraction,” he said.
"When I looked at doing this 15, 20 years ago, getting visas to the five Stans I want to visit on this trip was difficult or near impossible.
"Today, I can travel to four of the five Stans with only my passport, and currently I can also travel to China without a visa."
A book called Here to There: A Father and Son Roadtrip Adventure from Melbourne to London also sparked the idea, plus he's a fan of Tony and Maureen Wheeler, the creators of Lonely Planet.
Michael, who has a daughter, Bec, 20, and wife Nicola. Supplied
Michael, who shared his trip on Instagram said he had only had one mishap so far – typically before he even left Australia.
“My two trains from Melbourne to Brisbane were in part or wholly, replaced by buses,” he said.
He also had to stay on the cruise ship, Carnival Encounter, longer than he planned.
“The original plan was to exist the cruise ship in Lombok and travel across the Indonesian archipelago and across into Malaysia, and bypass Singapore. But technical issues and no warning meant I had to stay on the cruise ship to Singapore,” he said.
Michael has wanted to visit the 5 Stans for many years. Getty
He planned his route carefully once he reaches Asia.
“From Singapore the route is due north through Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and onto X’ian in China,” he said.
"From X'ian it is basically west across China into Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, a side trip into Tajikistan, and into Turkmenistan.
"Then into Armenia, Georgia, across Turkey to Istanbul, and into Europe."
Travel is easier this time with visa rules allowing for easier access to more countries. Supplied
“Travelling across China and then crossing the border into Kazakhstan will also be challenging,” he said.
"The trains no longer, since COVID, simply cross the border. You have to alight, cross the border, and re-board.
"And, getting a visa to Turkmenistan is not straightforward, you have to book a tour or have a guide, and they organise a 'letter of invitation' for you.
“So, travelling there is not inexpensive, and you cannot therefore wander around independently.”
Along the way Michael wanted to take in some military history as well as the Terracotta Warriors in X’ian.
He will stay in cheap hotels and private rooms in hostels.
Xian in China is the home of the terracotta warriors. Getty
Michael, who went backpacking for seven months when he was 40, planned to use overnight buses as well as trains to complete his journey.
He’ll was also joined by his wife Nicola for a couple of weeks.
But he admitted he’s mostly happy alone and even did training walks carrying his backpack before leaving home.
“Travelling alone has its own set of challenges. Basically, you have to make all the decisions,” he told us.
"Where am I going to stay and eat, how am I going to get there, etc.
“I am an only child, so I am comfortable in my own skin and with my own company.”
Most viewed in Travel
Qantas plane carrying NFL stars to Australia loaded with 2,000 meals
Australians warned as massive tropical storm approaches tourist hotspot
‘Startling sight’: Iconic tourist attraction looks a little different right now
Emirates’ new premium economy seat feature tackles the most awkward part of plane travel
