You've probably seen those posters or ads around town for charity rallies or bashes. They sell you an amazing adventure and a chance to change lives, but what are they? How do they work? Let's break it down.
- Are they really rallies
- Ties to social causes and issues
- The type of car you can use
- The destinations you can visit
- The people you will meet
are they really a rally?
Alright, listen up! These events are called rallies, but don't get it twisted - they're nothing like the World Rally Championships. Basically, it's just a big road trip where we all come together to celebrate a good cause. We use the words "rally" and "bash" to describe the fun, festive vibe.
They’re still about driving though, just not quite the hectic, high-octane variety you would think when you first hear those names.
how do these driving events tie into causes and social issues?
Variety Bash, Shitbox Rally, Great Endeavour Rally, the Outback Car Trek – all great times for good causes. From one to the next, they each have their own connection with their chosen cause/issue.
Some are privately run events that have chosen a cause that’s personal to the event’s original mastermind (e.g. Shitbox), while others are run directly by an organisation that works in the space (e.g. Great Endeavour Rally).
Depending on where these driving events go, they can also do their part to help regional communities in need of much-needed tourism income and connection from the big cities. So, pluses all around. So, if you’re up for it, set on out on an adventure that matches up with a cause you care for and make the most of it.
but what sort of cars are suited to be in a charity rally?
It all depends on which charity rally you want to join. Take the Variety Bash, for example. For this one, your car has to be at least 30 years old. So if you're competing in 2023, your car must be from 1993 or earlier. This could be an opportunity to get your hands on an old family car that hasn't been on the road in ages.
Then there's the Shitbox rally, which has different rules. Your car has to cost no more than $1000 and be 2WD, regardless of its age, make or model. That means you could just find some old car on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
Or you could try an event like the Great Endeavour Rally, which lets you take any 4WD or 2WD vehicle. If you have a car with good tyres (preferably all-terrain) and reasonable ground clearance, you're good to go for this particular off-road adventure.
So, which one you choose will depend on your budget, how much work you're willing to put into your car (and the cause you wanna support).
where do you go on these driving adventures?
Events like these have been happening for years and have covered every inch of Australia. The Great Endeavour Rally alone has gone over 130,000 kilometres, hitting all the famous spots and some hidden gems from the top of Queensland to the south coast.
This is something to keep in mind when you're trying to decide if you should cough up the cash for a flight overseas or just fill up the tank and take the road less travelled. What are you willing to pay to see?
So if you're down for the road trip option (with a few hundred other people), there are tons of cool places to check out. For example, the Great Endeavour Rally hit up some sweet spots in 2023 such as:
- Loyalty Beach
- Cape York
- Chilli Beach
- Fruit Bat Falls
- Koolburra Station
who would I be driving or travelling with?
When it comes to driving in these events, you get to choose your own crew. But, these events are all about rallying together with some awesome people for an adventure out in the bush. You'll meet folks from all walks of life and you'll become fast friends, sharing unforgettable travel moments together in some of the most stunning locations in Australia (and doing some good for others along the way).
These folks love to play pranks on each other, help each other out when someone gets stuck on the road, and they're there for each other even between the adventure drives. They're a bunch of lively and loveable larrikins, making sure you have an amazing time, and a rally to remember!
so, is all that what a charity rally or bash is?
Yes and no. Once you join in on the Great Endeavour Rally or any other charity driving event, you will see that they are all the above and so much more. Across all the events, what you get out of it is up to you (and how the event is set up).
No matter what charity rally/bash you choose you will have the time of your life and meet some of the greatest people you could ever meet. We only hope you choose the Great Endeavour Rally as your first charity drive.
