The 35th Outback Car Trek raised in excess of $1.58 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, thanks to the 240 trekkers who drove from Bathurst to Cairns on 30th May to 8th June 2025. 

The 2025 result brought the total raised over the Trek’s history to more than $37 million.

The Trek kicked off with Just Cuts-sponsored Cut-A-Rama in Bathurst, where trekkers received colourful and creative hairstyles for the trek, with all proceeds from the event going towards the RFDS.

Veteran Trekker, TV personality and motor racing driver, Grant Denyer, was at Cut-A-Rama, to cheer on trekkers before the big send-off the next day.

The Daily Telegraph’s Matthew Benns and cartoonist Warren Brown joined as honorary trekkers in their 1925 Bean 14 Sundowner, joining the Trek between Bathurst and Dubbo.

The Outback Car Trek’s retiring Chief Excitement Officer, Bill Patrick, said the Trek has been like no other fundraising event: 

“The support we receive from the Trekkers and from like-minded supporters and communities is enormous.

“Yes, the novelty factor with more than a hundred decked out cars is there, but what you don’t see is the months of preparation and hard work into making sure every vehicle is ready to take on the rigours of the thousands of kilometres of dirt road driving that make up the Trek.”

The Trek stopped in Bourke, Wyandra, Blackall and Longreach, providing opportunities for trekkers to spend time in the communities the RFDS supports, as well as hear about the RFDS’s impact first-hand from communities and frontline Flying Doctor staff.

“It is always very gratifying to have the Trek travel through the communities we most support,” said Greg Sam, CEO of RFDS South Eastern Section (RFDSSE).

“These communities are often far off the beaten track, with little to no access to healthcare services. 

“When the trekkers visit, they can see just how important their fundraising efforts are.” 

More than your typical fundraiser

In addition to raising funds for the RFDS, the Trekkers also provide a significant economic boost to the communities they pass through, with an average of $75,000 spent per day, plus the results from fundraising efforts to support local causes, with nearly $19,000 spent on school raffles during the ten-day event.

Spirits were high when the Trek arrived in Cairns on 8th June, with very few cars needing helping hands to make it over the finish line.

“Trekking the outback is no easy task but try doing it in a vehicle that’s more than 30 years old and all on a dirt road,”  said Bill Patrick.

“That’s what the dedicated Trekkers sign up for year after year – all to help keep the Flying Doctor in the air.” 

RFDSSE CEO Greg Sam was in town to congratulate the Trekkers in person.

“This $1.58 million ensures we can continue to deliver essential healthcare where it’s needed most,” Greg Sam said. 

“We are grateful to every trekker, organiser, volunteer and individual who donated to support the Flying Doctor.

“It has been another successful Trek, and the first Trek since the RFDSSE officially took over the ownership of the Outback Car Trek. 

“If the enthusiasm and passion we have experienced over this Trek is any indication, the Outback Car Trek has a very bright future,” concluded Greg Sam.

Next year’s Outback Car Trek planning is already underway, with the destination for Trek 2026 being Tasmania.