Warrnambool first stop for iconic Variety Vic Bash

The iconic motoring event attracts car enthusiasts from across the country, who take the big trip from Melbourne to Geraldton to raise money for children's charity Variety Australia.

Nerida Wallace, who grew up a stone's throw away in Hamilton, is taking on her first ever Bash with Michael Hall in an Audi they decked out with a Lord of the Rings theme.

"We're rookies and we've raised over $6500 already, one car raised half a million last year," Nerida said.

"We like cars, we like renovating things, we like driving in the country, and we like raising money for charity.

"Our car is the first Audi to be in the bash. It was in the Audi Bentleigh showroom for two weeks to help us to raise money.

"You get a car, do the Bash, get used to it and then get into serious fundraising. Some people have been doing this for 23 years!"

The criteria is simple: participants have to raise money for the charity and the car has to be over 30 years old.

Variety team official Paul Spitaleri said the event cost around $40,000 to pull off with support crews, medics and transportation.

"It's like moving a small city every day, there's over 600 people involved in this thing," he said.

"Sometimes it takes three different towns to sleep all of us.

"We're looking for donations, every dollar counts."

A huge truck carting 150 swags for participants shows just how big the event is to pull off.

"It's a fantastic way to inject money back into regional communities," Mr Spitaleri said.

"Think about it, there's over 300 cars. That's around 20,000 litres in fuel just filling cars up, not to mention accommodation and meals."

On Wednesday Variety will be making donations to a number of local schools, including Warrnambool SDS.

"Our Bash Crew get to see the direct impact of their fundraising efforts along the way, with a range of educational, health and mobility equipment provided to local schools and organisations en route," he said.

Follow the journey here.

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