Ruth Nocka, Melissa Brunning and Nick Edwards made the long drive as part of the Cancer Council's fundraising initiative - the Shitbox Rally. Starting in Sydney, the Shitbox Rally travelled to Nyngan, Broken Hill, Copley, William Creek, the Oodnadatta track and Yulara, before eventually arriving in Alice Springs.

This year, the rally raised about $92,000 with 38 participants taking part in 17 teams.

Raising $5000 with his team, the "Havana Express", Edwards said he was amazed nothing went wrong, except for a flat tyre. "We purchased a 1993 Ford Falcon for $800 and weren't too sure how the car would hold up, so we were very happy when, even though not officially a race, we were the second car to arrive in Alice Springs," he said.

"The support the rally received everywhere we went was humbling....despite sounding like a cliché, it was also an awesome experience to witness firsthand the true grandeur of Australia."

The founder of the event, James Freeman, said: "The event was a huge success and we will be expanding it again next year with a different destination but still plenty of fun and adventure."