The latest edition of the Shitbox Rally has been run and done. The now iconic 3,600km rally from Canberra to Townsville features cars on a seven-day drive across dusty, mostly unsealed roads in cars worth $1500 or less. Photo: BOX RALLIES

The rally is not a race, but rather a challenge for a community, with the drivers sharing their creativity on their cars and in their outfits. Starting in 2010, the Shitbox Rally will be held three times in 2025, with the Autumn route going from Canberra to Townsville. Winter will go from Perth to Darwin and spring will start in Alice Springs and end on the Gold Coast. Photo: BOX RALLIES

But all these thrifty petrolheads aren’t just getting together for the fun of it (although that is a big part). They are also raising money for a good cause, the Cancer Council. Since the first event in 2010, Box Rallies has raised over $54 million for the cause. The Autumn 2025 event has raised over $2.3 million so far. Photo: BOX RALLIES

The $1500 stallions in all their glory. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay — 500 people set off from Canberra on the journey, and all teams raise $5000 to participate. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – There are no Lambos or Porsches in this rally. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – Don’t you hate when you have to mow your car! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – Dress up themes help keep it interesting on the long trip. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – The drivers all committed to dressing up. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – It’s the little s**tbox that could! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – What a great way to see Australia. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – The Shitbox Rally got underway on May 3. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – The drivers were in high spirits from the get-go. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – The money they saved on a s**tbox, they must have spent on their costumes. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – Ready to go. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – The first stop was Hay. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 1: Canberra to Hay – A beer at sunset makes it all worthwhile. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton – The age old question. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — What’s going on here? Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton – The fun continued after the first night’s sleep. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton – Ride ‘em cowboys! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton – The drivers went bush on day 2. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Animals in one car, farmers in the other. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Nothing worse than being stranded in a chicken costume. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Day 2 ended in Silverton. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton – The convoy is here. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — What a way to finish the day. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — No comment. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Not every car allows you to head upstairs to the viewing deck. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Dinner goes down better after a day on the road. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Day 2 in the books. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 2: Hay to Silverton — Gotta hydrate! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — It’s more than just the drive. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — By day 3, the issues were starting to emerge. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — It was a 641km drive on day three. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — S**tbox recognises s**tbox. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — The drinks go down very well after seven hours on the road. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — Established in 1894, the Tilpa Pub is one of the last remaining true bush pubs left. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — Everyone helps everyone make it to Townsville. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — Some were still going strong. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 3: Silverton to Bourke — Some may have needed a push. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Day 4 got romantic, congratulations to the happy couple. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Everyone stocked up on fuel for the next long leg. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Thomas the Tank is still going strong. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Out in the sticks. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — They’re nothing if not a supportive community. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Looking good! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Mario and Luigi are a long way from the Rainbow Road. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 4: Bourke to Mitchell — Australia has some incredible scenery. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Back on the bitumen. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — The cars were getting a little worse for wear five days in. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Everyone’s there to help. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Hydration station. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — With only two days left, everyone’s desperate to make the finish line. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Love to see the kids getting out in support. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Um, okay. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 5: Mitchell to Barcaldine — Back on the dirt roads. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Only two days to go, the s**tboxes are still going strong. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Sleeping under the stars. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — What a way to start the day. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Funnily enough they were all getting thirstier on the drive. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Greatest chairs ever! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — They finally made it to Longreach. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — It was getting rough by day six. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Everyone’s still going strong. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Was he dirty before he jumped in for a dip? Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 6: Barcaldine to Hughenden — Almost at the finish line. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — Old friends and new. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — The final leg. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — The champagne flowing like the end of a Grand Prix. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — Huge achievement hitting the finish line. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — They’re all friends by the end of the week. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — It’s hard work in the Shitbox Rally. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — These guys are all ready for the auction. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — You did it! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 7: Hughenden to Townsville — Thomas the Tank made it! Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: Auction — After seven days, everyone was too attached to their vehicles. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: Auction — Remember, the money is going to a great cause. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: Auction — The cars went under the hammer. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: Auction — If anyone needs a car, see these people. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: After Party and Awards. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: After Party and Awards — Time to celebrate. Photo: BOX RALLIES

Day 8: After Party and Awards — A drink has never tasted sweeter. Photo: BOX RALLIES