September 2024 Bourke to the Bay (Hervey).
This 8 day event, will take you to iconic towns in outback Queensland. We’ll get you off the bitumen and onto the famous tracks that are on many keen traveller’s bucket list. We will traverse many iconic tracks and stay in famous towns, steeped in history. You will enjoy sensational country food and hospitality. All this whilst raising funds to support Prostate Cancer Research – an insidious disease that one in seven blokes will be diagnosed with today. Don’t miss this great week away in the Queensland outback & stunning coast!
The Itinerary September 2024.
(The Daily content may change after we conduct the first survey)
Day 0 – Saturday 31st August 2024
Bourke
We’ll all meet up in Bourke on the Saturday Night for the Registration and Information Session. It will be a good time to meet up with old friends and make some new ones.
Day One Sunday 1st September 2024
Bourke NSW to Cunnamulla QLD
We’ll leave Bourke and head towards Hungerford for lunch on the NSW-QLD Border. After lunch we will continue north before we swing east towards Cunnamulla
Day Two Monday 2nd September 2024
Cunnamulla to Charleville
After we say goodbye to the Cunnamulla Fella we’ll head to Quilpie for lunch, then head back east again to spend the night in Charleville
Day Three Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Charleville to Barcaldine
We’ll continue our journey north west and visit Tambo before we get to Blackall for lunch. We might get to visit the historic Wool Scour. It is the last remaining steam powered wool washing plant in Australia. The afternoon will be a short trip into Barcaldine.
Day Four Wednesday 4th September 2024
Barcaldine to Longreach
We only have 120kms to travel today so there will be plenty of time to stroll down “Machinery Mile” at Ilfracombe. There are vintage tractors, dozers, graders, farm implements and much more. You’ll also get your steps up as the display really is a mile long. You can get into Longreach as early as you like to start two days of exploring. Sights include the Qantas Museum, The Stockman’s Hall of Fame, or Sunset Cruising in a genuine Paddle Steamer.
Day Five Thursday 5th September 2024
Longreach
Today can be as lazy or as active as you want it to be. If you’ve seen all the local attractions you can drive out to Winton or Muttaburra and discover real Dinosaur Country.
Day Six Friday 6th September 2024
Longreach to Emerald
We start heading east today as we are drawn by the allure of the Whitsunday Coast. We’ll get as far as Emerald tonight. Along with the surrounding villages of Rubyvale and Sapphire this used to be the Sunflower growing capital of Australia, and even has a 25m high Van Gogh Sunflower painting. Coal Mining is now the big money spinner for this area.
Day Seven Saturday September 7th 2024
Emerald to Agnes Water
We continue east and reach Rockhampton for lunch today. Rocky is famous for beef cattle production and you’ll see several grand statues of Rocky Bulls around town. After lunch we turn right and head south along the coast. We hope to visit the township of Seventeen Seventy made famous by Captain Cook when he purposely beached the Endeavour to repair its hull (in 1770). We’ll stay in Agnes Water tonight.
Day Eight Sunday 8th September 2024
Agnes Water to Hervey Bay
Not long after leaving Agnes Water we stumble across Bundaberg, with its choice of either a factory visit to Bundaberg Rum or Bundaberg Ginger Beer. After a short stopover we keep moving south until we reach Hervey Bay, the gateway to K’Gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). This will be our final night together as the official rally group. We will have our final night dinner in a place to be decided shortly. After the rally has concluded, why not take a couple of days to explore K’Gari before you head home.
How Much Does It Cost?
A non refundable entry fee of $825 per vehicle is payable to Charity Car Events Pty Ltd to secure your entry, this includes GST and is not a tax deductible donation. This fee together with our event sponsorship assists us to defray the cost of running the event that includes insurance, public liability, accounting, administration, the route surveys, road books, communications and as a result 100% of your sponsorship donations go towards Prostate Cancer Research. Meal cost is $900 per person (to be paid closer to the event). You will need to book and pay for your own accommodation, we will advise you where the officials are staying and meal locations. No event costs are deducted from your donations.
How to Enter
To book your place for this great Adventure register below and remit the entry fee. Book early to guarantee your entry.
Vehicles – Support – Communication
Any well prepared 4WD and some AWD vehicles may enter the event. Your vehicle must be:
- Road registered,
- Roadworthy and insured for minimum Third Party property.
- Have the required safety equipment as detailed in the Rules and Regulations (see rules page here).
- All vehicles must have minimum UHF radio fitted, dust lights and a snatch strap.
- Event indemnity form completed by all entrants (at the first night briefing).
A road book (detailing route distances and instructions for each day) will be distributed at the briefing to all entrants. All cars will be issued with door stickers – posted out prior to the event – entrants will nominate their own car number.
The event is not a race it is an ‘adventure’. Our sweep vehicle will provide mechanical support to assist all vehicles to make it to each night stop. Official and support/sweep vehicles will carry Sat Phones. Event communication will be by UHF radio, event ‘APP’ and briefings.
Meals and Accommodation
Most meals are included for the duration of the rally (one of the eight days you will be free to choose where to eat). You are free to book any accommodation that suits you (motel, pub, cabin, campground, or free camp using your own camping gear or swag etc. We will provide information on motels etc for each town and it’s recommended you book your accommodation as soon as possible after registering.
“A meet and greet” will be held the evening before the rally starts from 7.30pm. Exact location to be advised.
Meals Costs.
The meal cost is $900 per person. This includes breakfasts, lunches and dinners for 7 of the 8 days. There will be one lay day where you can do your own thing for meals, of course you can also organise to eat with other rally participants.
This Meals amount covers
- Breakfast for 7 days
- Lunch for 7 days
- Dinner for 7 nights
- Final night dinner with all participants
All vehicles are expected to raise a minimum of $1,500 in donations for Prostate Cancer research.
Note – Refund Policy. Unfortunately many venues & food providers now insist on upfront payments. In the unfortunate event of an entrant cancelling after payment of the Meals monies, the organisers will try to obtain refunds wherever possible and refund these monies back to the entrant after the event has concluded.
Floods, fire, road closures and events beyond the organisers control. In the unlikelihood of a major change to the event Road Book caused by a road closure, fire, flood, etc all entrants in the event may be subject to further expense for meals as a result of a route change, delay etc. The organisers first priority is always for safety of all entrants and to provide the event experience as originally intended.
Fundraising for Prostate Cancer
Each vehicle is required to raise a minimum of $1,500 for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Of course, you don’t have to do this on your own, most people ask their family and friends to support them. And please don’t stop at $1,500, we will have an award on the final night for our highest fundraiser. 100% of all donations go The Prostate Cancer Foundation – no expenses are deducted from these donations. We utilise the fundraising platform “funraisin” to make donations easy and receipts can be printed when donations are made.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) is a broad based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer research in Australia. The Foundation is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families recognising the diversity of the Australian community.
Why is this research so important?
- 3,152 Australian men a year die from prostate cancer. That is 8 a day
- 16,700 Australian men a year receive a new diagnosis. That is 45 a day
- In early stages of prostate cancer there may be no symptoms
- One in 6 blokes will be affected by prostate cancer by age 85
- Around 95% of men will be alive 5 years after a diagnosis of prostate cancer – this is largely as a result of medical research
How to Get Started
- Register as a participant in the Prostate Cancer Rally – Go to this page here
- Confirm your entry with payment of the entrance fee of $825.00
- Create your fundraising page on the Funraisin platform – Go to this Fundraising page here
- Book your accommodations
- Talk to your friends about joining you for this adventure
Enquiries and Contact Details
For Entry, Administration, Vehicle information –
PETER FEHON – Event Director
MOB: 0414-284-489 EMAIL: [email protected]
ROSS ALEXANDER – Convenor and PCFA NSW Board Member
TEL: 0417-385-406 EMAIL: [email protected]
Prostate Cancer - The Stats
Men are diagnosed by age 85
Men die each day
Men are diagnosed each year
About Us
The idea of running a car rally to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation was first contemplated by Ross Alexander back in 2015. Ross was a Prostate Cancer survivor and a member of the NSW Board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). He is both an experienced rally participant, and consummate fundraiser for many causes. Together with Peter and Trish Fehon, Ross has organised the first three rallies that have raised well in excess of $500,000 for Prostate Cancer research. Ross has set himself a personal target of $1 million. Ross continues to be involved as the PCFA representative on the annual organising committee.
