I must admit to not having read all the replies so sorry if this has already been said. If you file a VFR FPL then the aerodrome of departure will send a signal (called a DEP) to the destination to tell them your airborne time. The destination will take overdue action (starting with phone calls to relevant ATC units, ending with launching SAR assets) at ATD+EET+30mins. So half an hour after your estimate for the destination they will start looking for you if you haven't showed up. this will not happen without the FPL. There is no "flight following" - obviously you can get ATSOCAS but the only way to guarantee your destination will take overdue action is to file a FPL.