2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic is underway
Riding down the centre of Australia from north to south would be challenging enough on a modern motorcycle, but imagine doing it on a pre-1949 bike. Sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what 78 intrepid riders are doing this May on the ‘2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic’.
A follow-up to the 2022 Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic that saw riders traverse the continent from west to east – Busselton, WA, to Merimbula, NSW, – this year’s adventure will see classic bikes travel from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Victor Harbour in South Australia, covering more than 4,000kms on a 13-day adventure.
The Cannonball Classic was created by John Hajje, a lawyer and principal of his own law firm in Sydney, with assistance from Kendal Maroney, Ian ‘Nai’ Gordon and Mick Johnson. Following the success of their first “coast to coast” ride, this passionate group joined forces again to create the Southern Cross version.
As a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), the Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic raised over $160,000. The goal for the Southern Cross Cannonball Classic is to raise $200,000 for the RFDS. Funds will go toward Flying Doctor Wellbeing – a crucial service that offers mental health support to rural communities.
The Cannonball Classic is open to any brand and model of motorcycle, so long as it was manufactured before 1949. On the 2022 ride, the field was heavy with American bikes, namely classic Indian and Harley-Davidson v-twins, with a few British models flying the flag, too. This year’s ride, which got underway on 9 May, features mostly similar bikes.
Riders on the Southern Cross Cannonball Classic will cover 4,300kms, with stops in Pine Creek, Daly Waters, Three Ways, Ti Tree and Kings Canyon in the NT before a rest day at Yulara. The second leg will take in Coober Pedy, Woomera, Wilpena Pound and Burra, before concluding at Victor Harbour (approx. 1 hour south of Adelaide) on 22 May.
Riders on the Cannonball Classic are responsible for their own accommodation, mainly in motels and hotels along the route, but there will be a few nights spent under the stars in swags and tents.
Riders provide their own support crews, too, usually made up of mates or family, who follow in vehicles packed with parts and tools. Given we’re talking about bikes that are at least 76 years old, those parts and tools are needed!
Attrition is expected, but of the 79 riders that entered the Indian Pacific Cannonball Classic, more than 60 per cent crossed the finish line at Merimbula.
For the Southern Cross Cannonball Classic, 78 riders are entered, more than half of whom took part in the Indian Pacific event. With support crews and marshals included, around 180 people are involved in this epic coast-to-coast ride.
While many riders enter the 2025 Southern Cross Cannonball Classic for the fun, the challenge and to support the RFDS, there’s also a competitive element, with points on offer during the journey.
Of the 13 daily stages that make up the event, points are deducted if riders are late departing from or arriving at checkpoints. It’s not a race, though, so there’s ample time to complete the daily stages. Additionally, there are penalties if riders require their backup team to assist them during a stage, but fellow riders or locals may assist without penalty.
Riders that complete each daily stage, on time and without requiring their support crew, will score maximum points. The overall and class winners will be decided by the highest cumulative points over the 13 stages. If two or more riders finish equal on points, 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 be the victor.
