Four Boys, Six Months, 15,000 Miles: Six Littles Go A Long Way Follows The Family Who Drove From Australia To England, Through Afghanistan, In 1977

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Six Littles Go A Long Way by James Lewis is a heartfelt memoir from 1977, where his family with four young boys drove 15,000 miles from Australia to England through the now-closed hippie trail in a Toyota camper van, capturing the raw magic of 1970s overland adventure.

Six Littles Go A Long Way

In 1977, Julian and Becky Little made a decision that would define their family’s life forever. With four young sons—aged seven, six, two, and just six months—they packed everything into a Toyota camper van and set off on a 15,000-mile overland journey from Australia to England. What began as a bold dream became an extraordinary six-month adventure through some of the world’s most iconic and now-inaccessible routes.

This remarkable true story is brought to life in the new memoir Six Littles Go A Long Way: How one family joined the 1970s overlanders on a 15,000-mile journey halfway across the globe. Written by James Little, the eldest son who was seven at the time, the book draws directly from original family diaries to recapture the spirit of an era when overland travel was adventurous, unfiltered, and open to anyone with enough courage.

A Window into a Lost Era

The 1970s marked the golden age of the “hippie trail,” an overland route that drew thousands of travelers from Europe through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It was a time before GPS, smartphones, or constant connectivity—only hand-drawn maps, word-of-mouth advice, and a shared sense of wonder guided the way.

Borders were crossed with smiles and handshakes, travelers swapped stories around campfires in Kabul, and the legendary Khyber Pass was just another stretch of road. For the Little family, this wasn’t a reckless gamble; it was simply what was possible. Their journey stands as a poignant reminder of a world that has since changed dramatically, with many of these routes now closed to tourists due to geopolitical shifts.

More Than Just an Adventure Story

What makes Six Littles Go A Long Way so compelling is its blend of high-stakes adventure and intimate family moments. The book recounts everything from crossing Australia’s treacherous Nullarbor Desert to navigating the colorful chaos of India’s Holi festival. There are lighter episodes too—like indulging in hashish brownies in Goa’s hippie colonies and taking elephant rides at the Amber Fort.

But the heart of the story lies in the human details: young Andy vomiting during a tense border crossing, Peter experiencing snow for the first time in Pakistan’s mountains, and the Toyota’s springs repeatedly breaking under the family’s weight and the road’s demands. Through laughter, exhaustion, and unexpected challenges, the bonds between parents and children are tested and deepened in ways that only extreme circumstances can achieve.

James Little writes with humor, honesty, and vivid detail, incorporating 160 color photographs and excerpts from the diaries of Julian, Becky, and even family friend Dianne, who joined them for part of the trip. These authentic voices breathe life into a bygone era of travel that feels impossibly distant today.

A Message for Modern Nomads

While the book is rooted in the 1970s, its themes resonate deeply in the present day. Reflecting on why he chose to write it 45 years later—now living in Singapore, a place the family once stopped during their journey—James Little shares a powerful insight.

During a flight delay in a hotel room, he watched 500 stranded passengers connect through real conversation, laughter, and shared stories—something he says smartphones and AI can never replicate. That moment reminded him of the irreplaceable richness of human connection that defined overland travel.

For today’s van lifers, digital nomads, and Instagram adventurers chasing #VanLife perfection, this memoir offers a refreshing contrast. It shows what travel looked like when the world felt both bigger and smaller—when the journey itself, not the destination or the photo, was the true reward.

James Little

James Little is a father of two and the founder of a sustainable energy consultancy based in Singapore. Born in London in 1970, his fascination with travel was sparked by the 1977 road trip that took his family across continents. After earning a master’s degree in Tourism Management and working in the travel industry for 15 years, it was his 2022 relocation to Singapore—exactly 45 years after the original journey—that inspired him to finally document the story.

A weekly Facebook blog sharing details of the trip drew contributions from family and friends worldwide, helping to rekindle memories and add depth to the narrative. Six Littles Go A Long Way is the result: a heartfelt tribute to adventure, family, and the enduring power of human connection on the open road.

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