Shitbox Rally Spring 2023 – Port Douglas, Qld to Adelaide, SA via Birdsville

Shitbox Rally, Media Release, 9 October 2023

500 people in teams of two will leave Port Douglas on Saturday 14^th October 2023 in the morning. Then after 7 days of driving over 3,000kms on dusty, mostly unsealed roads they will cross the finish line in Adelaide, SA on Friday 20^th October…..however, some cars simply won’t make it.

Cars must be worth $1,500 or less (hence the name of the rally), roadworthy, registered with no 4WD or AWD allowed, and teams need to raise a minimum of $5,000 to participate. Dress up themes provide amusement and the reward of making camp each night is an evening spent under the stars in rural and remote locations. While breakdowns are guaranteed, this challenges teams to work together to make the finish line after their adventure through the outback.

The fundraising goal for Shitbox Rally Spring 2023 is set to $2 million with teams already raising over $2.1 million! Box Rallies is now the leading individual fundraiser for Cancer Council nationally generating over $40 million to Cancer research plus media awareness for Cancer Council. This helps the lives of millions of Australians who are facing their unknown journeys: https://www.shitboxrally.com.au/the-cause/.

James Freeman OAM, who founded Box Rallies (Shitbox Rally and Mystery Box Rally) after losing both of his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other said:

“Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a reward for fundraising efforts and a chance to explore Australia. The Rally draws teams from around the country to help achieve the extraordinary. Many have been affected by cancer in one way or another, whether it be family, friends, or themselves personally. The rally not only wants to raise awareness and money for Cancer Council but also wants to offer support and a friendly ear to those that have suffered or are suffering.

For the first time ever, we are starting in Port Douglas in Far North Queensland. This is in fact the most Northern start line in our history of rallies. The route takes us from humidity and heat, into the dry Outback diagonally crossing both Queensland and South Australia in what will prove a very challenging and very visually striking rally. This will be a very special rally indeed.

Teams not only pull together to help each other through the challenges associated with driving a $1,500 car on these remote outback tracks, but also help and support each other through openness, mateship and camaraderie from people who have gone through similar hardships with their own cancer stories. Often fundraising and rallying for family members or friends affected by Cancer, this common experience unites each rally team to become a part of the larger Box Rallies family.”

Key information

• Start line: Saturday 14^th October in Port Douglas, Qld – Shitbox Rally Spring 2023 Start Line
• Finish line: Friday 20^th October in Adelaide, SA – Shitbox Rally Spring 2023 Finish Line
• Auction: Saturday 21^st October in Elizabeth, SA – Shitbox Rally Spring 2023 Car Auction

Overnight stopovers:

• Saturday 14^th October – Einasleigh
• Sunday 15^th October – Winton
• Monday 16^th October – Windorah
• Tuesday 17^th October – Birdsville
• Wednesday 18^th October – Marree
• Thursday 19^th October – Rawnsley Park