General Visa straight after Academic Visa?

Hello,

I'm in the U.K. on a one year academic visitor visa (a subgroup of the business visitor visa). I'm planning on visiting Europe when my visa expires. Can I then return to the U.K. on the general (tourist) 6 month visa that Australians are automatically granted on entry to the U.K.? Or would I have to return to Australia first?

Thanks very much for the help,

Kate.