In this guide
Nueva Londres works as a day trip from Asunción: it is 137 km away (opens in a new tab), right next to Coronel Oviedo, so one day covers the old Australian colony, central Oviedo and a farm. If you can pick the date, go on 25 December for the Fiesta del Tuyú; the rest of the year the town itself takes little time and the day is built around Coronel Oviedo.
The route: Asunción, Coronel Oviedo and Nueva Londres
- Getting there: take Route PY02 to Coronel Oviedo, 132 km from Asunción (opens in a new tab). Nueva Londres is about 5 km west of Oviedo (opens in a new tab), and PY02 passes 8 km south of the town (opens in a new tab), so the final turn-off is short.
- Without a car: take a bus to the Coronel Oviedo terminal and a taxi for the last stretch. Over the year-end holidays the terminal gets overwhelmed (opens in a new tab), so on 25 December buy both legs in advance.
- Coming back: the same PY02. If you don't know the area, leave Nueva Londres with some daylight left.
Plan for an ordinary day
- Morning in Coronel Oviedo. Walk the José Segundo Decoud, de los Héroes and de la Libertad plazas; the city also has four museums (opens in a new tab).
- Midday in Nueva Londres. Take the photo at the welcome sign, which shows the founding date (11 October 1893) and the flags of Australia, the UK and Paraguay (opens in a new tab), then walk the plaza. The town is less than a kilometre across (opens in a new tab), so it won't take long.
- Afternoon at a farm. Granja Ecoturística Yvambopí, near km 152 of PY02, and Granja Alte Liebe, on PY08 towards Villarrica, had pools, fishing and animals in 2021, according to ABC Color (opens in a new tab). Message them first, as that information is a few years old.
For the history: in 1893 234 settlers from Australia (opens in a new tab) arrived with the New Australia movement under William Lane, and the name Nueva Londres dates from 1957. Little of that heritage is visible today (opens in a new tab), so come for the town and the conversation, not a museum.
Plan for 25 December: the Fiesta del Tuyú
- Arrive before 3 pm. In 2024 the festival started at that time (opens in a new tab) with a band, and firefighters from Coronel Oviedo soaked the plaza into a mud pit.
- Expect crowds. That year more than 70,000 people (opens in a new tab) came. Park away from the plaza and walk in.
- Stay late or leave early. The festival ends at night with a music festival (opens in a new tab). If you stay to the end, don't drive after drinking (the highway patrol applies zero tolerance (opens in a new tab)), or sleep in Coronel Oviedo.
- Bring: clothes you can throw away, a full change of clothes, bags, water and sunscreen.
Other dates worth planning around
Coronel Oviedo celebrates its anniversary on 8 October (opens in a new tab), together with the Virgen del Rosario feast, and the Gran Festival del Ajo takes place during its cultural week. A trip in early October lets you add that to your visit to Nueva Londres. For more on the festival and the town's story, see our guide to things to do in Nueva Londres.
FAQ
Can I do Nueva Londres as a day trip from Asunción?
Yes. It is 137 km, mostly on PY02 to Coronel Oviedo, and one day covers the town, central Oviedo and a farm.
How do I get to Nueva Londres by bus?
Take a bus to the Coronel Oviedo terminal and a taxi for the last few kilometres. On 25 December, buy your ticket early.
What time does the Fiesta del Tuyú start?
In 2024 it started at 3 pm with a band and ended at night with a music festival.
What is there to see in Nueva Londres outside the festival?
The welcome sign with the Australian, British and Paraguayan flags, the plaza and the story of the 1893 settlers. It is a short stop, so pair it with Coronel Oviedo.
