Perth Voice Interactive

A MODERN-DAY adventurer has completed an epic journey from Perth, Scotland, to Perth, Australia—entirely by land and sea—reviving the spirit of Scottish emigrants who once set sail for new opportunities abroad.

Liam Cavanagh, 41, embarked on his journey in September, seeking not only a new home but also a career change. 

Mr Cavanagh recounted his journey to the St Andrew’s Society’s annual Burns Supper last week, held each year in honour of Scotland’s great bard Robbie Burns. 

Waving Mr Cavanagh off from Perth, Scotland, was Provost Xander McDade, while local Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas gave him a warm welcome shortly after his arrival in WA on November 30, coincidentally St Andrew’s Day.

“It’s a good question,” Mr Cavanagh said when asked why he chose Perth, Australia, for his studies. 

“I’m looking for a career change, and I was really looking to push myself, to get outside my comfort zone in the UK. I wanted to go abroad to study.”

Mr Cavanagh’s journey mirrored the historic routes of Scottish emigrants and was inspired by Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in 80 Days. 

After departing from Scotland by train, he boarded the Sun Princess cruise ship in Southampton, following the transatlantic route his grandparents once took. 

Stops included Spain, the Canary Islands, and Florida, where he visited NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. Walking the beaches of Honolulu felt like stepping onto the set of one of his favourite childhood television shows Hawaii Five-O.

His adventure wasn’t without its setbacks. A battle with seasickness was constant, and hurricane Milton disrupted his US arrival, delaying his plans by two days.

After traveling across North America by train and car, Mr Cavanagh embarked on another ocean voyage aboard The Westerdam, which took him across the Pacific via the South Pacific islands before he finally reached Australia.

National Records

Previously working at the National Records of Scotland, Mr Cavanagh is now studying web development at TAFE. 

“The course really seemed to tick all the boxes for me,” he said. “It’s far more practical, hands-on, rather than a university academic style.

“I’d been studying in Gibraltar, and that hadn’t really worked out because of the political situation there with the border and everything like that. 

“I had studied in Sydney before on exchange as part of my original undergraduate degree, and I liked the education system in Australia. I didn’t really want to go back to the east coast, because I felt I’d done that. And I decided to see what the other side of the country had to offer.

“Perth seemed like a great opportunity, a totally different offering from the east coast; far more isolated, obviously, but a bit more laid back, a bit sort of friendlier, less busy than the east coast.”

His arrival in Perth was marked by a formal welcome from lord mayor Basil Zempilas. 

“It was a lovely meeting down at your fantastic Elizabeth Quay. A great way to finish off the journey—kind of full circle almost.”

Reflecting on his encounters with both Scottish and Australian civic leaders, Mr Cavanagh noted their contrasting styles. “The Provost in Scotland was very much a product of Scottish government—understated, with procedure and the badges of honour. The mayor here, obviously the media personality, was confident and had a big presentation at Elizabeth Quay, a fantastic location for a photo shoot.”

Now settled in Perth, Cavanagh is embracing his new chapter. “The weather is fantastic, far better than in Scotland. Everyone’s been really friendly,” he said. “I only had course orientation yesterday, so it’s early days, but I feel like I’ve made the right choice.”

He says the decision to swap careers was also inspired by catching the travel bug.

“I’m trying to get a career that lends itself more to location independence,” he says.

by STEVE GRANT