What is the Mystery Box Rally?
Floods, a bogged car and a very determined rescue
Grant and Paul’s adventure started before the rally had properly begun, with an emergency stop for a bearded dragon on the road. The lizard was fine. The car needed a few repairs in Charleville before they could get going.
From there, Queensland flooding brought road closures and water crossings, and it wasn’t long before the car was bogged. Day 2 was an animal print dress-up day, so Grant and Paul rolled out in matching tiger-print tracksuits, with accessories chosen by Grant’s 10-year-old son Jayden.
The days that followed were a mix of mud, miles and swags. Day 1 ran from Charleville to Hungerford, and Day 2 covered 466 km from Windorah to Thargomindah, kept entirely to sealed roads because of the flooding. The night between was spent sleeping in swags beside the car, in the rain. The boys stuck with the swag life right to the end, turning down the last room in Charleville on their final night and setting up on the local football oval instead.
By the end, Paul’s mechanical know-how and Grant’s blind optimism had somehow got the job done. The car is apparently good for Rally 2027 with just a few minor repairs… like a new motor.
Driving in memory of loved ones
On Day 3, from Thargomindah to Winton, Grant and Paul drove in memory of everyone we’ve lost to cancer. For our team, that included Grant’s dad Peter Klaaysen, Kate Ferguson (mum of Meg from our team) and Anthony Agnello, a former GPK Group employee and good friend.
Underneath the costumes and the rally antics, that’s the reason this event matters so much to us.
Thank you to the country towns
The rally wouldn’t be the same without the small country towns that welcome drivers and crew with meals, fuel stops and plenty of entertainment, from pub stops to chicken races. The event brings people together and supports regional communities, as well as raising vital funds for Cancer Council.
Looking ahead to the next chapter
Donations are still open for Grant and Paul’s fundraiser. If you’ve been following along and can spare a few dollars, every contribution makes a difference.
Donate to Grant and Paul’s Mystery Box Rally fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged the boys and followed the adventure. Next stop is Bathurst, NSW, for Mystery Box Rally 2027, once someone finds a motor.
Want to know more about the team behind the trip? Get to know GPK Group.