Actually the main DHL European distribution centre is in Cologne, most things go there. Then things are dispatched using the best possible routing. For Australia this could very well be a flight from London, Frankfurt, Paris or whatever is available (no direct flights from Cologne to Australia). Anything passing to and from Europe often goes through Cologne when DHL is used. Other carriers use similar hubs around the world. You package might also go through Singapore (or through Atlanta if it goes the long way). Packages have more patience than passengers.