This past winter of 2025 more than 500 fearless participants in shithookers are Shitbox Rally mobbed the extraordinary trip from Perth in Darwin. They traveled along those tough roads, sometimes in cars worth less than $1,500—quite an adventurous spirit! This one-of-a-kind rally creates lasting friendships and a giving heart. This year, it’s generated more than $2.6 million in support of cancer research, for a total of almost $57 million during the 15 years the program has existed.
“Our mission was to change lives, and this became the catalyst,” said James Freeman, founder of the Shitbox Rally. He remarked on how participants, many of whom were strangers just eight days ago, have formed lifelong friendships through their shared experiences on the road.
“We’ve built a really unique community. We’ve put strangers together only eight days ago, and now they’re lifelong friends,” – James Freeman
Carmen and Brendan from Werribee, Victoria, getting ready to participate in their fourth rally with their car — Olaf the Shitbox. Sadly, though, Olaf came to an untimely demise just as the team was reaching Darwin late Friday night. Carmen closed with a reminder of the personal nature of cancer, sharing her own story of overcoming the disease 14 years ago.
“I was affected by cancer; 14 years ago I had breast cancer,” – Carmen
For Carmen it wasn’t just her community empowerment activist side that felt the strong call to act. Her own family’s struggle with cancer inspired her devotion to advancing research initiatives.
“We’ve had family and friends who were all affected by cancer. If we can help support cancer researchers, then this is going to a very good cause,” – Carmen
Perhaps the most memorable participant was Arto Haapea, the Finnish ambassador to Australia. He drove what he called “The Happiest Car in the World,” a bright blue Toyota Camry adorned with flags, rainbows and Finnish cartoons. Haapea shared his appreciation to have been a part of such a powerful event.
“The fact that we can do something like this for a common cause is the biggest inspiration for me to take part,” – Arto Haapea
Besides Haapea’s flashy ride, there were colorful displays of creativity on cars and trucks within the caravan. Team Snow Driftz turned heads with a life-sized model skier strapped to the roof of their car. One team abandoned their other vehicle entirely and took the wheel of their racer “Dusty Diamonds.” As was befitting of its name, it collected a lot of dirt along the way!
Nicole and Allison, the dream team better known as the Giddy Up Girls, packed their bags and jumped into their Ford Focus. Their goal was to raise serious bucks to fight cancer. Nicole posted about her pride at the effect of her small vehicle…
“She got through the Gibb River Road, so if she can do that, she can do anything,” – Nicole
Brendan illustrated some obvious sadness for Olaf’s fate, but an exciting sense of adventure. He looked toward future challenges with optimism.
“Now we’ll look at our next adventure and have the joy of doing it in another car down the track,” – Brendan
The rally creatively fed off of popular culture, too. And Mutts Cutts team created real show stopper by making their vehicle Pup-ified! At the same time, another car humorously displayed a lifted hood with the memorable phrase, “if in doubt, flat out.”
Freeman highlighted the rally’s spirit, fusing laughter with an urgent call to action. He reflected on that great Australian cultural attribute of tackling the seemingly impossible with a wit and self-deprecation.
“Being Australians, we have a tendency to want a challenge and also to self-deprecate, to laugh at ourselves and the situation,” – James Freeman
As participants wrapped up their journey in Darwin, they celebrated not only their accomplishments on the road but their contributions to advancing cancer research. Today, the Shitbox Rally remains an inspiration not only for the extraordinary adventures they provide, but their exciting fusion of philanthropy and adventure.
