A Road Trip with Heart (and a Few Laughs)
Last week, Barry the Brave, the pink, tiger-striped Ford Econovan taking part in this year’s Spring Shitbox Rally, hit the road with Bonney Energy for a three-day tour across Tasmania’s North, spreading the word (and the joy) of his upcoming adventure from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast.
Joining Barry on the journey were Emma, his driver and the heart behind the mission, and Olivia from Bonney Energy, who tagged along to share the story, meet locals, and show support for this incredible cause.
Day 1 – Hobart to Bicheno
The tour kicked off in Hobart, winding up Tasmania’s East Coast through Swansea and making a relaxed stop at Devil’s Corner Winery to enjoy a tasting and take in the view. While there, we chatted with tourists and locals alike, many curious about the pink, tiger-striped van parked proudly on the lawn. Some even shared their own connections to the Shitbox Rally. We then continued on, past The Pondering Frog, and into Bicheno to end the day seaside.
Day 2 – Bicheno to Devonport (via St Marys)
The morning began in St Marys, with a cookie stop at The Red Fridge, breakfast at Coach House Restaurant, and a visit to Nostalgic Life Studio, where locals are lovingly restoring vintage furniture.
Barry also needed a top-up, so we called into St Marys Ampol Independent to refuel using the Bonney Card before continuing up towards Devonport. Along the way, they could not resist stopping along the Tasting Trail, visiting Hazelbrae Hazelnuts and Ashgrove Dairy for some roadtrip snacks.
Upon arriving in Devonport, we stopped by Bonney Energy in Quoiba for an oil check - only to discover Barry was completely out. A quick fix and a few laughs later, Barry was back on the road.
Day 3 – Launceston Harvest Market & Homebound
Saturday was spent at the Launceston Harvest Market, where Barry parked up among stallholders to share his mission with the community. From handmade pastries to fresh local produce, it was a morning of connection, conversation, and plenty of Tassie pride.
Check out our day at Harvest Launceston
After a successful few days spreading awareness (and racking up plenty of kilometres), Barry and the crew began the journey home, stopping at Epping Forest Roadhouse, for a final refuel.
Barry the Brave will soon take on the 2025 Shitbox Rally, driving from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast this October to raise vital funds for the Cancer Council.
Bonney Energy is proudly supporting Barry’s mission through fuel, awareness, and community engagement, helping to power the journey that’s making a real difference.
You can help too:
Enter Barry’s Raffle: https://www.raffletix.com.au/barrythebrave
Donate Directly: https://www.raffletix.com.au/barrythebrave
Every contribution, big or small, helps drive life-changing cancer research.