From 29 May to 8 June, the 35th Outback Car Trek - an epic 11-day motoring fundraising event - will welcome the most trekkers since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Approximately 240 trekkers – including drivers in 30+-year-old cars, support personnel, and officials – will navigate terrain from Bathurst to Cairns to raise donations for Australia’s most reputable charity, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Since its inception in 1990, the Outback Car Trek has raised over $36 million for the RFDS. Funds such as these enabled the RFDS to provide over 345,000 patient contacts through RFDS clinics, aeromedical transports, and telehealth consultations nationwide during the last 12 months alone. Events like the Outback Car Trek generate much-needed funds that enable the RFDS to continue this life-saving work.
Greg Sam, CEO of the RFDSSE, said: “The Outback Car Trek is a long-standing and beloved fundraising event. The Trek not only raises funds for our core work. The ethos of the event, to provide social and economic benefit to the communities it travels through, is closely aligned to our mission and our commitment to regional, rural and remote communities."
Along the way, over 100 vehicles will stop at some significant locations for the RFDS, including Dubbo, Cairns and Longreach, all major bases for the Flying Doctor, as well as Julia Creek, the site of the very first aeromedical retrieval by the Flying Doctor, then known as the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service.
Communities along the route experience a significant economic boost. At each stop-off point, approximately $75,000 is generated by the trekkers’ food, fuel, mechanical repairs and, where available, accommodation. On top of this daily spend, over the entire trek, a further $100,000 is raised by trekkers donating money to local initiatives, such as supporting community projects or schools.
Bill Patrick, the retiring Chief Excitement Officer of the Outback Car Trek, has run the route and logistics of the event for nearly 20 years.
Bill Patrick said: “Every year is an opportunity to explore different parts of this amazing country. We regularly take the back roads and travel the long way around, and you get a real sense of just how isolated some communities are from modern conveniences and essential services like healthcare. It’s an absolute privilege to work with our trekkers to support such an important cause."
For more information, visit: outbackcartrek.com.au
