The car belonging to Andy Connolly is one of three local vehicles taking part in the event, which starts in Melbourne today and will finish at Yeppoon, Queensland on 23 August.

Variety Club Bash teams drive in specially decorated cars on a 10 day trek to raise money for children with special needs.

Cowwar's Helen Hoppner, who is participating in her 16th event, said local drivers took the cars to show the developmental school each year before taking off.

``We went to the school to say goodbye to the kids and that causes a bit of excitement for them,'' she said.

``They love it and I think we stir them up a bit when we go there.

``It also keeps us in touch with the teachers at the school so if they need anything they can come to us for it.''

Ms Hoppner said the bash was a way for Variety Club members to have some fun after all the fundraising work put in.

This year's theme for two of the local cars is the Punjabi tribe.

The women will travel in one car and the men in the other, all dressed in Punjabi gear.

Between them, the teams have raised more than $20,000 this year.