Imagine embarking on a 4,300 km journey from Darwin, traversing the spine of Australia, all the way down to Victor Harbor in South Australia. Doing this in a modern, comfortable family sedan seems like a thought-provoking, yet achievable task.

Now, picture the same scenario, but instead of a modern vehicle, you're riding a vintage pre-1949 motorcycle for the 14-day voyage.

Sounds challenging, doesn't it?

This is what 78 enthusiastic participants in the 2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic will attempt, all in the name of fun, challenging themselves, creating life-long relationships with fellow riders while raising crucial funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

This year’s event is a sequel to The Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic held in 2022, which saw 79 riders embark on an epic 4,800km journey from Busselton, WA, across Australia to Merimbula, NSW.

Just in case the concept of getting 180 participants, support crews and marshals from point A to B wasn’t impressive enough, it’s worth noting that such a trek hadn’t been attempted before the Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic.

Although organisers envisaged that 25 riders would be a feasible number for the 2022 event, they felt an enormous sense of pride and achievement when more than 60% of participants crossed the line in Merimbula.

Moreover, it makes sense that this year’s entries are comprised of 60% of the 2022 participants, returning for another crack at an epic road trip across Australia.

The 2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic departs Darwin on Friday May 9, making its way over 14-days to the finishing line in Victor Harbour, May 22.

Along the way, participants will take a brief detour to Yulara, NT, where riders and crews can take a rest day, tweak and tune their vintage machines while absorbing the breath-taking natural sights of Uluru and outback Australia.

Motorcycle eligibility is open to all brands and models, so long as it was manufactured before 1949.

Riders appoint their own support crews, usually comprised of family or friends, travelling in teams with a support vehicle and or a trailer packed with parts and tools to service the entrant motorcycle if required.

Entrants are also responsible for their own accommodation arrangements for the journey. Although they’re mainly staying overnight in town Motels and Hotels, there are a few nights under the stars in swags or tents.

There are also points on offer for participants during the road trip.

With the single rest day removed, the remaining 13-days make up the event stages. Start and finish times are set to allow ample time to complete daily stages, and it’s up to the entrants to ensure they depart and arrive within the defined time windows.

Points are deducted if riders are late departing or arriving to checkpoints. Additionally, there are points penalties if riders require their backup team to assist them during the stage.

Fellow riders or locals may assist without penalty.

Simply, if a rider completes the full distance, on time and without support crew interaction, they will score maximum points for the stage.

The overall and class winners are decided by the highest cumulative points for the 14-day ride, tallied at the conclusion of the event in Victor Harbor.

Riders that accrue equal points at the end of the event, the rider of the oldest bike will be declared the winner.

In the event of two bikes being the same age, the older rider will take the gong.

Cannonball Classic event concept is the brainchild of John Hajje. A Lawyer and Principal of his City Law Firm in Sydney, John has enjoyed a passion for motorcycles for his entire life and began riding at the age of 12.

With the idea percolating in his mind for several years, Hajje was able to realise his dream with the assistance, skill and dedication from his mates Ian ‘Nai’ Gordon, Kendal Maroney and Mick Johnson.

As a group, they worked tirelessly to bring The Indian Pacific event to life, spawning an event that become more popular than they ever imagined throughout the planning process.

The organising committee was also fortunate enough to establish a relationship with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, just prior to the 2022 event.

Then RFDS CEO, Scott Chapman, took a personal interest in the event, leading to him registering himself and completing the 2022 event aboard a 1942 Harley-Davidson 42WLA Military Model.

Having completed the 2022 event, Chapman is lining up for another run in this year’s journey.

Additionally, lining up for this year’s run is Shannons’ own Belinda Douglas, a Business Development Manager in Victoria.

Douglas will be taking her 1937 Triumph T70 on the journey from Darwin to Victor Harbor.

In a continuation the enduring relationship between the Cannonball Classic and RFDS, this year’s run will again raise funds for the rural medical service so many outback residents rely on in a time of need.

Check out the Southern Cross Cannonball Classic’s YouTube channel where you will find the entire web series from the 2022 event.

Or donate directly to the Shannons Team here