Sunraysia Safari 2025: Australia’s Great Outback Rally Returns for 1200 Kilometres of Brutal Beauty

The 2025 Sunraysia Safari Cross Country Rally is locked and loaded, with the final route mapped, entries closed, and the excitement building toward its September 10–13 showdown. With close to 1,200 km of competitive stages spread across four intense days in the rugged NSW outback, this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and captivating in the event’s history.

Rally Revival with a Legacy: Launched in 2017, the Sunraysia Safari was created to fill the massive void left by the early Wynn’s/Australian Safari’s. These events were epic 5,500 km rallies that tested Australia’s toughest from 1985 to 2014. But the Safari’s legacy stretches even deeper, right back to the 1971 BP Sunraysia desert rally, one of Australia’s earliest cross-country endurance events.

Today’s Sunraysia Safari channels all of that heritage into a tighter, more accessible but no less punishing format. Held entirely on private property around Wentworth and Dareton, the rally blends fast open tracks with navigation-heavy sections, demanding both pace and precision from competitors.

“Hope you’re all busily preparing,” jokes Event Director, Troy Bennett, referencing the dust storm that recently blew through his place. But behind the humour lies serious preparation. With weeks of course checks, coordination with landowners, and late-night work sessions.

“We’ve put in some massive hours over the past week,” he says. “And the course is looking absolutely sensational from start to finish.”

“One stage is over 250kms” Bennet continued. “Then we have lunch and keep going for another stage in the afternoon! To give that some context, it’s further in one competitive section than Alice Springs to Finke, and around 1.5 times longer than an average entire round of the Australian Rally Championship, all in one stage.”

Despite drought conditions, local landowners have once again stepped up to offer access to their best tracks. That kind of community support is what makes Sunraysia Safari more than just a motorsport event, it’s a regional rallying institution.

“The landowners have again opened their gates, showing incredible support for the event and rally community. The course is hard-packed, dusty, and in many places hard to see, so bring your best nav skills,” Bennett concluded.

Photo Credit: Wishart Media

Who’s In the Hunt: The starting list is locked in and the competition at the front looks ferocious.

In the Auto division, watch for frontrunners Dean Herridge, back with father Rob Herridge, in a two car team, with Rob piloting something special from Subaru. Both Subaru cars will likely be potential fan favourite’s and the new car is definitely an unexpected wildcard.

Tony Quinn, the business mogul and motorsport veteran, always a threat in cross-country events, but he’ll be constantly challenged if not lead by Andrew Travis, known for precision and consistency. And then there is Will Dunn, bringing raw pace and confidence.

On the Moto side, the challenge is equally stacked with Toby Hederics, the heir to a famous rallying name and already a proven contender, having recently competed at the Dakar Rally in Audi Arabia. We will also see Corey Banks as a serious threat in Moto, he’s known for his relentless tempo and technical skill and will be ready to pounce, having won the Moto division in 2024. Ben Langford is also a serious contender for the Moto win, he’s a rising star who’s fast becoming a regular at the sharp end of the field.

Each division will face the same unforgiving terrain, with competition running across some of the toughest land and picturesque scenery in Australian motorsport.

A revamped merchandise line will be available online for pre-order, with limited availability at the rally itself. Event shirts and hats remain part of the entry pack, but keen fans can now secure their gear ahead of time or have it posted directly.

Moto competitors will also face a mandatory upgrade, with RallySafe’s new LED Lightboard system now required. Designed to enhance rider safety, the new tech is seen as a vital move to improve in-stage visibility and communication.

The 2025 Sunraysia Safari isn’t just a rally, it’s a revival, a tribute, and a test. With nearly 1,200 km of action and a grid full of serious contenders, fans can expect an unforgettable week of motorsport mayhem in the Outback. And yes, even Bennett’s iconic old Pajero used for course setting is back for another year, held together by the support of Smart Parts, Penrite, and maybe another fresh set of Mickey Thompson tyres.

Sunraysia Safari 2025 At A Glance