2024
Barossa Valley – Flinders Ranges – Arkaroola
Broken Hill – Wangaratta – Lakes Entrance – Canberra
Mar 16 - 23
8 DAYS
4100KM
2500km Gravel/tracks
The Great Southern Reliability Trial 2024
The 2024 GSRT promises to be an exciting and thrilling event for all car enthusiasts. This will be a Rally & Road Club Touring Navigational Assembly that strictly follows the Motorsport Australia Rules and Regulations. The event is non-competitive, which means participants can enjoy the experience without any pressure of winning or losing. The tour will take place on some of the most scenic routes, allowing participants to explore different regions while showcasing their driving skills. With such an incredible opportunity to be part of this assembly, it’s no wonder that car enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to it.
The event will include sections of the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon and combine sections from other events such as the 1970 Ampol, the 1979 Repco Round Australia Trial, and other major events helps in and around the Victorian Alps and High-country. We will take the opportunity to include some sections used in events such as the Mitta Mitta and the Alpine rally in Victoria and finishing in Canberra via lakes Entrance.
Whether you’re an experienced rally driver or a casual spectator, this is one event you won’t want to miss. So mark your calendars and start preparing for a truly unforgettable adventure.
The Event
Day 1 – National Motoring Museum of SA
Get ready for an exciting start to the event with the Registration held at the National Motoring Museum of SA, Birdwood. This means participants can not only complete their entry formalities but also enjoy exploring one of Australia’s most important motoring museums. It’s a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of automobiles.
But that’s not all! The Entrant Briefing will be conducted over dinner in the relaxed atmosphere of one of the Barossa Valley’s oldest and most significant wineries. Early arrivals can take advantage of the large range of wines on offer including some of the oldest from the Barossa Valley.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience that combines history and excitement!
Day 2 – Barossa Valley to the Flinders Ranges
We’re in for an exciting adventure starting at the National Motoring Museum! Our journey will lead us north, passing through the picturesque countryside of the Upper Barossa, until we reach the charming and historic township of Burra. But that’s not all – get ready to conquer some of South Australia’s finest rally roads, the very same ones that were once used in the legendary 1979 Repco Round Australia Trial and are now frequented by thrilling events like the SA Rally of the Heartland.
We’re in for an amazing afternoon as we conquer the breathtaking Outback SA roads on the eastern side of the Flinders Ranges hinterland. Then, we’ll head south to Quorn, where we’ll join the iconic route of the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. But that’s not all! We’ll continue our journey by heading north again for a grand finale to an unforgettable day. Day One is like a mini-marathon of its own, with over 600km of thrilling gravel roads and tracks. And as we near the end of the day, participants can look forward to the awe-inspiring Moralana Scenic Drive. Get ready for an exhilarating adventure!
Day 3 – Flinders Ranges
After enjoying a peaceful evening in the heart of the Flinders Ranges, we wake up with anticipation knowing that today we are embarking on an adventure to explore three more iconic gorges of this magnificent region. As we journey through Australia’s most picturesque landscapes, we can’t help but be in awe of the breathtaking roads that lie ahead. And yes, just like yesterday, most of our route will be on gravel, adding an extra thrill to our already exhilarating day.
We are going to incorporate sections of the 1968 and 1993 Marathon routes that pass through the stunning gorges. After that, we will conquer more challenging terrains as we make our way to Leigh Creek and Lyndhurst. The next leg of our journey will follow the path of the famous 1970 Ampol Trial, leading us to our overnight destination in Arkaroola. Today, we will put both our crew and vehicle reliability to the test in these areas, and it’s only Day Three!
Day 4 – Flinders Ranges to Broken Hill
Get ready for an early start and immerse yourself in the morning ambiance and scenery as we make our way back to Wirrealpa Station. During this journey, we will have the opportunity to visit one of Australia’s historic shearing sheds, which dates all the way back to 1862. This is where we will retrace the 1968 London-Sydney route, where Evan Green and Gelignite Jack Murray attempted to win The Race across the World.
Today, we will pass through seven cattle stations before reaching our final destination of Broken Hill. Keep in mind that the countryside can be both harsh and stunningly beautiful, with fence lines occasionally interrupting the old road paths. Patience is key, and don’t forget to close the gates along the way. Expect encounters with livestock and wildlife, which may leave you in disbelief that they once drove non-stop from Perth to Sydney on these very roads. The tracks may be occasionally unclear and have some rough patches, but by the end of the day, you’ll be eagerly asking for more.
Day 5 – Broken Hill
Get ready for another exhilarating day as we embark on a thrilling journey through the untouched roads and tracks of Outback NSW. This route, seldom explored by rallies, will lead us through the same paths once treaded by renowned explorers like Charles Sturt and Burke & Wills.
Today’s roads will push both our teams and vehicles to their limits, as we navigate through remote desert roads in the northeastern part of NSW. This challenging terrain will truly test our preparation for outback marathons or trials. And let’s not forget about the breathtaking scenery that awaits us along the way!
Day 6 – Broken Hill to Wangaratta
Today is going to be an exhilarating day as we embark on the longest leg of our journey, covering a whopping 850km to reach our destination. Hold onto your seats because we are about to follow in the tire tracks of the legendary 1968 London-Sydney Marathon route, all the way to Wangaratta.
This exhilarating drive promises stunning views and incredible roads that will leave you breathless. So buckle up and get ready to have a blast as we embark on another daily epic journey as we create memories that will last a lifetime!
Day 7 – Wangaratta to Lakes Entrance
Today’s route marks the completion of the 1968 Section from Gunbar in NSW to Edi in Vic, where the first Crews arrived at midnight on the 16th December 1968 to embark on their final day of the Marathon. We will traverse multiple ranges, passing Mt Buffalo and continuing beyond Mt Beauty until we reach the Mitta. Along the way, we will follow power lines and witness breathtaking 1000ft drops off the roadside, making you wish for guardrails.
Driving these roads during daylight may not compare to the thrill of driving them at night, as was done in 1968. To fully immerse ourselves in the experience of the 1968 and 1993 Marathons, which traversed mostly gravel roads across the Alps, we will also include some additional sections from other rallies. Although Day 6 may appear relatively short, it is no less challenging and crews will eagerly welcome the finish line after giving their all.
Day 8 – Lakes Entrance to Canberra
The Team is really looking forward to this day because it’s going to be one for the books! We’ll start off by heading north from East Gippsland into NSW, and trust me, it’s going to be a fantastic run. The highlight of the journey will be the breathtaking 75 km Barry Way along the Snowy River, leading us to Ingebyra. From there, we’ll continue on the scenic Monaro Country roads, surrounded by stunning mountain views, as we make our way to Cooma.
The Cooma Monaro Car Club has graciously arranged for an early lunch, which will give us the energy we need for the final leg of our adventure. We’ll be driving on country roads all the way to Queanbeyan, where we’ll have a fitting finish at the Australian War Memorial. It’s going to be a powerful moment as we pay tribute to the fallen and reflect on our incredible memories from this event.
2024
Barossa Valley – Flinders Ranges – Arkaroola
Broken Hill – Wangaratta – Lakes Entrance – Canberra
The Entry Fee will comprise two parts, the Entry Fee, and a Meals Package for Crew of 2 for all Crew
meals on the event. Accommodation and other expenses are the responsibility of the Crew. The
Entry Fee is $3850 plus the Meals Package of $1950 for a Crew of 2.