Qantas’s historic ‘kangaroo route’ is back – with a price
Luxury travel company Captain’s Choice is planning to reenact Qantas’ iconic 1930s Kangaroo Route with a luxurious, modern twist.
In a nod to Australian aviation history, globe trotters can relive the journey on Captain’s Choice’s Pioneering Spirit of the Kangaroo Route, which will take off from Sydney to London in February 2026.
What was the original ‘kangaroo route’?
Created in the 1930s by Qantas, the ‘kangaroo route’ was a weekly flight path that would carry passengers between Australia and London over 12 days.
The route’s name was coined in the following decade, as each stopover across the eastern hemisphere resembled the hopping of our beloved native marsupial.
At this time, it was the fastest way for Aussie travellers to reach Britain, initially taking a total of 58 in-flight hours. Today, it’s a trip that takes no more than 24 hours in the air. Add or subtract a few extra hours and we can reach most corners of the globe in less than a day.
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But the beauty of the kangaroo route was in its experience, with the long distance outweighed by the diversity of each stopover.
The first flight was in 1935 between Brisbane and London, executed with now-defunct Qantas airline partner Imperial Airways. Over 12 days, nine passengers made an unbelievable 38 stops across the globe.
By 1947, Qantas had fully taken over the route and began flying out of Sydney. The kangaroo route had also been streamlined to just seven stops over four days onboard a Lockheed L-749 Constellation. Travellers would touch down in places such as Darwin, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Egypt and Italy (among others) before landing in England’s capital.
Considering the extended travel time, life onboard was good.
With three pilots, two flight engineers, a navigator, a radio operator and three dedicated cabin crew, passengers were in good hands. Dinner was a seafood salad paired with a grapefruit and pineapple cocktail, plus a variety of inflight amenities too.
The rebooted journey closely follows the destinations of the original. Image: International Traveller
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How will the new kangaroo route compare?
Inspired by the legacy behind this incredible journey, Australian travel brand Captain’s Choice is recreating the kangaroo route with its own unique twist.
Slated to depart Sydney on February 3, 2026, the Pioneering Spirit of the Kangaroo Route will hop between seven destinations before landing in London on February 16.
Following an almost identical flight path to the original, the 14-day itinerary includes stops in Darwin, Singapore, Kolkata (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Cairo (Egypt), Toulouse (France) and Rome (Italy).
Beginning in Singapore, guests can visit the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic Temple or admire world-class art at the National Gallery Singapore. Aerophiles will relish privileged trade-day access to the Singapore Airshow, too. Then sit down for a spectacular gala dinner at Gardens by the Bay, one of the best places to visit in the city.
In Colombo, choose between exploring the ancient city of Galle, watching traditional stilt-fishing, visiting local homes for cooking demonstrations and meeting legendary Sri Lankan cricketers. Come evening, you’re invited to dinner at the prime minister’s residence.
Cairo is a true highlight, with exclusive access to the Sphinx and a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum. And your private dinner with uninterrupted views of the Pyramids of Giza will stick in your memory long after you’ve left.
One of the highlights will be a gala dinner at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. Photo: AAP
A final stop in Rome includes an after-hours private tour of the Vatican Museum, a vintage car ride and an authentic Italian cooking class. Join the optional day trip to Florence to delve into the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo.
No more than 186 guests will fly with Qantas onboard a private Airbus A330-300, known for its space, comfort and efficiency. The aircraft also features eco-friendly green technologies and releases less CO2 emissions compared to previous models.
During flight hours, you’ll be treated to business-class catering, with food, drinks, sightseeing, porterage, transfers and tipping all included. On the ground, guests stay at only the finest accommodation, including Singapore’s five-star Ritz-Carlton Millenia and the St Regis Cairo with views across the Nile River.
Reservations for the 2026 Pioneering Spirit of the Kangaroo Route with Captain’s Choice are open, priced from $49,950 all-inclusive.
This article first appeared in International Traveller. Read the original here
