The 2018 Victorian Variety Bash – Geelong to Townsville, the long way

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 17.04.2018

A great Australian road trip for an even greater cause

The Variety Bash is deemed Australia’s largest and longest-running charity motor event. It holds its origins some 34 years ago, when Aussie entrepreneur Dick Smith organised the B to B Bash from Bourke to Burketown.

In the 30 years following, the annual motoring cavalcade has raised over $220 million dollars for the Variety children’s charity, and assists 100,000 Aussie kids in towns along the interstate journey each year.

Each state has their own Bash, and this year’s Victorian route covers 3500kms from Geelong to Townsville, and rolls through Horsham, Swan hill, Broken hill, Tibooburra, Cunnamulla, Emerald and Charter Towers over the ten day adventure.

It’s not a race, or a rally for that matter. Founder Dick Smith simply called it "a drive in the outback with a few mates". With hundreds of participants across the country however, you’re bound to make mates with more than just "a few".

It’s a wildly varied bunch from all walks of life, from doctors and accountants, to family mums – all in the name of fun, driving and to help the less fortunate.

The cars themselves are just as wild and varied. From highway patrol car lookalikes, to movie car recreations, entrants are encouraged to make them as outlandish as possible. The golden rule? The car must be at least 30 years old to take part.

Beyond helping kids in local schools and communities, Bashers passing through one of the 100 rural communities will directly inject $3 million dollars passing through small towns throughout the country.

Entry is $660 per car, plus a team fundraising goal of $5000 for first-timers, and $7000 for the vets.

It's the journey of a lifetime, a ten-day adventure in the car with your mates, and helping local communities on the way!

To enter, visit the Variety Bash website, at Variety.org.au

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