The Shitbox Rally is a long-distance motoring event run in Australia as a fundraiser for cancer research, originally an annual event but increased to bi-yearly in 2019.
Box Rallies have since expanded their fundraising events to three Shitbox Rally's annually, and added two new iterations, Mystery Box Rally and Lunchbox Rally.
History Shitbox Rally was founded by James Freeman in 2009. He secured an agreement from Cancer Council Australia to lend its name to the project, on the provision that all profits would be directed to Cancer Council Australia. Freeman estimated a profit of $20,000 in the first year and to get the ball rolling, he canvassed friends and relations to take part.
The Sydney Morning Herald 's Drive column, Seven Network 's Sunrise program and Unique Cars magazine ran feature stories, and other print and electronic media followed. Triple J arranged for one of their presenters, Tom Tilley, to participate, sending reports back to Sydney, and capturing moments on videotape. 23 two-person teams registered for the event, which raised $104,000, well above the most optimistic predictions.
The event
Effectively, a team of two needs to raise a minimum of $5,000 to participate in the rally. The only stipulations for the car are that it is worth/valued at no more than A$1,500 and that it's not an AWD/4WD vehicle. Costs of vehicle registration and roadworthiness checks are not included in the budget, nor are some safety items.
At post-event celebrations there are awards presented to the biggest fundraisers, and other awards are given in various light-hearted categories which may change at the whim of the organisers: "Least likely to make it"; "Best car"; "Best team theme" (dressing up the vehicle is part of the fun, but not mandatory); "Best breakdown"; "Best repair"; "Spirit of the Rally".
Events Start From via Finish At Raised14 August 2026AdelaideParachilna, William Creek, Mount Dare, Alice Springs, Daly Waters, Timber Creek22 August 2026DarwinTBA19 June 2026MilduraHawker, Mungerannie, Bedourie, McKinlay, Karumba, Chillagoe27 June 2026TownsvilleTBA1 May 2026Port DouglasOasis Roadhouse, Aramac, Toompine, Louth, Narrandera, Dargo9 May 2026MelbourneTBA24 October 2025Alice SpringsYulara, Oodnadatta, Copley, Silverton, Bourke, Nindigully1 November 2025Gold Coast$2.58 million19 June 2025PerthMurchison, Mount Augustus, Auski Roadhouse, Pardoo Roadhouse, Derby, Home Valley, Victoria River28 June 2025Darwin$2.8 million2 May 2025CanberraHay, Silverton, Bourke, Mitchell, Barcaldine, Hughenden10 May 2025Townsville$2.38 million18 October 2024BendigoPooncarie, Milparinka, Innamincka, Betoota, Isisford, Belyando Crossing26 October 2024Townsville$2.39 million14 June 2024MelbourneHay, Silverton, Tibooburra, Windorah, Bedourie, Tobermory22 June 2024Alice Springs12 April 2024AdelaideRoxby Downs, Oodnadatta, Yulara, Coober Pedy, Penong, Caiguna, Southern Cross20 April 2024Perth$3 million13 October 2023Port DouglasEinasleigh, Winton, Windorah, Birdsville, Marree, Rawnsley Park21 October 2023Adelaide$2.44 million12 May 2023NewcastleNyngan, Packsaddle, Innamincka, Betoota, Yaraka, Hughenden20 May 2023Townsville$2.31 million18 March 2023RockhamptonTambo, Eulo, Cobar, Tooleybuc, Spirit of Tasmania, Strahan24 March 2023Hobart$2.14 million15 October 2022MackayCharters Towers, Chillagoe, Normanton, Hells Gate Roadhouse, Borroloola, Mataranka21 October 2022Darwin7 May 2022WollongongTrundle, Glengarry Hilton, Tibooburra, Thargomindah, Windorah, Aramac13 May 2022Mackay$2.21 million26 March 2022HaySilverton, Cameron Corner, Arkaroola, William Creek, Kingoonya, Kimba1 April 2022Adelaide$2.1 million 22 May 2021 Alice Springs Barkly Homestead, Hells Gate Roadhouse, Karumba, Kynuna, Alpha, Taroom 28 May 2021 Gold Coast$2.97 million 19 October 2019 Melbourne Wentworth, White Cliffs, Noccundra, Birdsville, Jundah, Hughenden 25 October 2019 Townsville$2.36 million 8 May 2019 Perth Kalgoorlie, Tjukayirla, Warakurna, Uluru, Oodnadatta, Copley, Cameron Corner, Louth, Cudgegong 17 May 2019 Sydney 19 May 2018 Brisbane Mitchell, Yaraka, Middleton, Camooweal, Mataranka 25 May 2018 Darwin $1.97 million 27 May 2017 Adelaide Roxby Downs, Oodnadatta, Alice Springs, Tobermorey Station, Einasleigh 2 June 2017 Cairns $1.67 million 7 May 2016 Mackay Blackall, Thargomindah, Tilpa, Cootamundra, Dargo, Melbourne, Devonport 13 May 2016 Hobart $1.53 million 9 May 2015 Canberra Hay, Silverton, Marree, Birdsville, Boulia, Hughenden 15 May 2015 Townsville 31 May 2014 Perth Meekatharra Marble Bar Broome Fitzroy Crossing Mount Barnett Victoria River 6 June 2014 Darwin 4 May 2013 Adelaide Coober Pedy, Uluru, Warakurna, Tjukayirla, Laverton, Kalgoorlie 10 May 2013 Fremantle 14 April 2012 Melbourne Wentworth, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Windorah, Winton, Undara 21 April 2012 Cairns 21 May 2011 Brisbane Mitchell, Longreach, Gregory, Savannah Way, Hells Gate, Lorella Springs, Katherine, Jabiru 27 May 2011 Darwin $690,000 20 March 2010 Sydney Nyngan, Copley, Silverton, Broken Hill, Copley, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Arckaringa, Yulara 27 March 2010 Alice Springs $103,000
Gallery
References
See also 24 Hours of Lemons Gambler 500
External links Shitbox Rally official website