On Saturday 24th October, 340 participants in teams of two will start their car engines in Charleville, QLD and tackle a mystery five-day driving route. They will drive over thousands of kilometres and navigate some of Australia’s most spectacular regional roads but unlike any other journey, each night’s stop-over will only be unveiled to them at the start of each day. Mystery Box Rally – one of Australia’s largest independently run fundraisers for Cancer Council – where cars must be older than 25 years, roadworthy with no 4WD or AWD.
The rally will depart from Charleville on Saturday, 24 October 2026 and return to Charleville on Wednesday 28th October, with participants spending months preparing and fundraising before setting off on the mystery journey. Since 2010, participants across the Box Rallies family of events including Shitbox Rally, Mystery Box Rally and Lunchbox Rally, have collectively raised more than $69.5 million for Cancer Council, funding dozens of cancer research programs across Australia. Every dollar raised by participants goes directly to Cancer Council which helps the lives of millions of Australians who are facing their unknown journey. This rally alone has already raised over $1.27 million. Founder and CEO James Freeman said the event continues to bring together every day Australians determined to make a difference;
Photo credit Box Rallies
“Every team has a story. Many participants have been impacted by cancer personally or through family and friends. Mystery Box Rally gives people an opportunity to challenge themselves while helping fund research that saves lives. As with all Mystery Box Rally’s the route is top secret, but I am confident that the teams will have an exceptional time over the 5-day adventure. Charleville will play an important role as the official launch point and finish line, welcoming teams, support crews and event organisers from around the country before they begin their adventure.”