Reducing the rural health divide and boosting rural and remote economies is the aim of a fun Royal Flying Doctor Service rally next month involving off-roading fur-covered veteran cars.

Starting in late May, more than 240 motoring enthusiasts will participate in the 35th Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) fundraiser, the Outback Car Trek, an event that has raised a total of $36 million over the years.

In the biggest post-pandemic Outback Car Trek , trekkers drive for 11 days, navigating through dirt roads and country towns between Bathurst and Cairns (far north Queensland).

Starting at our oldest inland city on Thursday, May 29, the rally then motors its way to Dubbo, Bourke, Cunnamulla, Quilpie, Longreach, Julia Creek and then via a bunch of other outback towns to Cairns.

“The Outback Car Trek is a long-standing and beloved fundraising event. The Trek not only raises funds for our core work,” RFDS South Eastern Section CEO Greg Sam said.

“The ethos of the event, to provide social and economic benefit to the communities it travels through, is closely aligned to our mission and our commitment to regional, rural and remote communities.”

Along the way, more than 100 vehicles will stop at some significant locations for the RFDS, including Dubbo and Longreach, both major bases for the Flying Doctors, as well as Julia Creek, the site of the very first aeromedical retrieval by the Flying Doctors, then known as the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service.

Bill Patrick, the retiring Chief Excitement Officer of the Outback Car Trek, has run the route and logistics of the event for nearly 20 years.

“Every year is an opportunity to explore different parts of this amazing country,” Mr Patrick said.

“We regularly take the back roads and travel the long way around, and you get a real sense of just how isolated some communities are from modern conveniences and essential services like healthcare; it’s an absolute privilege to work with our trekkers to support such an important cause,” he added.

Communities along the route experience a significant economic boost. At each stop-off point, approximately $75,000 is generated by the trekkers’ food, fuel, mechanical repairs and, where available, accommodation.

On top of this daily spend, over the entire trek, a further $100,000 is raised by trekkers donating money to local initiatives, such as supporting community projects or schools.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section (RFDSSE) is a not-for-profit charity that provides 24/7 essential lifesaving, emergency, and primary healthcare to regional, rural and remote NSW communities.

Since 1928, the RFDS has taken the finest care to the furthest corners. Apart from the provision of lifesaving outback emergency aeromedical retrievals and hospital transfers, they have also provided over 355,000 occasions of care over the last five years through on-the-ground GP and nurse appointments, dental care, mental health care, alcohol and other drug counselling, vaccinations, chronic disease management and telehealth.