Start your engines: The Outback Car Trek is back and heading west!

Trekkers set to boost local economies while raising lifesaving funds for the RFDS. 

The Outback Car Trek (OBCT), Australia’s premier annual rural charity car rally, is gearing up to hit the road again from 31 May, to raise funds for the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Set to be the most exciting driving adventure yet, the convoy of 100 cars and 250 Trekkers are heading west this year for a whole new experience, setting off on a 5,705 km journey from Geraldton, Western Australia to Darwin, Northern Territory via Broome. 

Now in its 33rd year, the Trek has raised more than $33.5 million since its inception for the RFDS, Australia’s most reputable charity [1], which provides 24/7 essential lifesaving, emergency and primary healthcare to regional, rural and remote NSW communities where access to healthcare is limited. 

This year the excitement to get on the road is palpable once again, with Outback Car Trek CEO and Trek organiser Bill Patrick commenting, “The past few years have been blighted by the wide-reaching impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic and tough weather conditions which certainly tested all our Trekkers. We’re excited to be back at full pace this year in a brand-new location and just hope the WA weather treats us kindly!”. 

In addition to raising funds for the RFDS, each year the Trek participants go a long way towards providing a much-needed boost to local economies on the route. “On an average day of the Trek, we’ve worked out that about $75,000 is spent in a town or locality on food, fuel, mechanical repairs and, where available, accommodation. Over the course of a Trek there’s also about $100,000 spent by Trekkers assisting community groups through raffle ticket sales or through passing the hat around for a community project or a school” commented Mr. Patrick. 

Although the RFDS is best known for outback emergency retrievals, most of its work these days involves vital outback primary health care. This includes GP and nurse-led clinics, mental and dental health, breast care, women and children’s health, drug and alcohol counselling and chronic disease screening, as well as other specialist services. 

Ahead of the Trek, Royal Flying Doctor Service Chief Executive Officer South Eastern Section Greg Sam said, “We’re extremely proud and grateful for our longstanding association with the Outback Car Trek, their support is vital for the continuation of our lifesaving health services to communities across the country".  

"As a charity and rural healthcare provider, the RFDS continues to serve people in the bush, while navigating the increasingly challenging conditions – costs continue to rise, funding and the health workforce are being stretched, and we’re seeing increased demand from the community for our health and wellbeing services".  

"Approximately a third of our funding comes from our generous donors who help cover the cost of lifesaving medical equipment, vital healthcare staff on the ground, our clinic operations and aircraft and infrastructure costs. Without this generosity we wouldn’t be able to provide essential healthcare to people who live, work and travel in rural, regional and remote parts of the country. In that context, the contribution of the Outback Car Trek over the past 32 years is immeasurable”, commented Mr. Sam. 

This year’s Trek begins with the annual Cut-A-Rama launch event in Geraldton on 30 May, where participants cut and colour their hair in return for thousands of dollars in donations. On 31 May, Trekkers will set off on the 12-day adventure from Geraldton, following the coast north to Broome before heading east into the Northern Territory and concluding in Darwin on 11 June. The new route, different from previous years on the east coast, winds through stunning landscapes and on roads never travelled on before on the 32 previous treks. 

You can support the Flying Doctor by donating to the Outback Car Trek: https://outback-car-trek-2023.raisely.com/donate  

For more information, visit http://www.outbackcartrek.com.au/  

[1] https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/news/rfds-named-australias-most-reputable-charity/