After seven years' travelling the world, UK national Barry-Dean Dewson is finally heading home, but he's not planning on taking the easy route.

The former Queenstown resident and A J Hackett staffer is about to embark on what he expects will be an 18-month long journey from Bluff to Glasgow, Scotland, with little more than the clothes on his back.

When he leaves Bluff on February 18, his mother and late father's birthday, Mr Dewson will have nothing but the clothes on his back, a laptop, camera, passport and phone.

"When I walk out of that hotel in the morning I'll be on my own," he said.

With strict rules of travelling by only land or sea, his planned route home takes in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, China and Russia before he embarks on the final leg of his journey through Europe to the UK.

"The only plans I have made are not to be in Russia or China during the winter," he said.

Having spent time working in many of the countries he will pass through, Mr Dewson is confident his $NZ100 budget for each country will see him through once he's called in a few favours from old and new friends.

"I'm not scared at all."

Not only does he have to get to Scotland, he'll also have to earn money along the way for the most basic of supplies including food, board and even a toothbrush.

"I don't expect to get anything for nothing.

"I will be working everyday. I can do anything, I don't mind cleaning toilets if I have to."

While he is confident he will be able to charm his way into odd jobs in most countries, he is expecting more of a challenge in China and Russia.

As well as making his way home, he also hopes to raise $20,000 for a range of chosen charities as well as raising international awareness of the plight of those less fortunate and ill-treated animals with a regular video blog.

"If I see a homeless guy on the street I want to be able to go up and help him out, keep him company, buy him some Maccas - whatever to make his day better."

Mr Dewson has organised to spend two weeks working with the Student Volunteer Army in Christchurch before his visa expires in March.

- The Mirror

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