Dan Headley knows there will be no back-pedalling as he attempts to set a new world record with a titanic journey across Australia.

Key points: Dan Headley hopes to raise up to $1 million for charities

Dan Headley hopes to raise up to $1 million for charities He has been training on a spin bike aboard the boat on which he works

He has been training on a spin bike aboard the boat on which he works He hopes the trip will help him address mental health issues

He set off from Brisbane this morning atop his custom-built penny-farthing on a 6,500-kilometre journey to Perth.

Mr Headley, 24, said he is aiming to take the scenic route through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, before tackling the Nullarbor.

"Trying to spice up my life, change my routine, eat healthy just to do all that, get out of the headspace I was in," he said.

The idea came to him from a podcast that simply mentioned the unconventional mode of transport.

"I thought, yep that's me — I could ride one of them across the country.

"Finally three years later, here we are."

He said he also wanted to find a challenge that would break him out of some unwanted habits and help him deal with some mental health issues.

"There's been anxiety attacks happening for years, but only recently since I've started exercising and realising what I eat, changing my diet up I've started to not have these anxiety attacks," he said.

Dan Headley is hoping to raise $1 million for mental health charities. ( Supplied: Dan Headley )

Much like his chosen mode of transport, his training has been a little out of the ordinary.

Mr Headley, who works on a boat, said his colleagues have patiently put up with his training gear for several months.

"It's been a bit of a pain for the crew — I've put a spin bike in the bridge and I just ride the spin bike every day at work, just trying to get fit for it," he said.

He said he has been trying to clock at least an hour a day on the bike in preparation.

On his penny-farthing, he will start out by travelling 50 kilometres a day but said he was aware of numerous obstacles on the road ahead.

"Bushfires have been one that was a little bit of a worry. We were meant to start in January but it's been pushed back to now," he said.

Dan Headley wants to break a world record on his penny-farthing by riding across Australia. ( Supplied: Dan Headley )

To ensure a world record can be verified, Mr Headley's journey will be tracked via GPS.

He will also film 10 minutes of video content daily and keep a detailed log of his trip.

Housemate Andy Ball has travelled from Perth to join him for the three-month trip and will drive a support vehicle alongside Mr Headley's penny-farthing.

"That's got our clothes, our food, our cooking equipment, where we sleep," Mr Ball said.

The custom-built penny-farthing is worth around $4,500 — the trip so far has been completely self-funded.

Mr Headley hopes to pick up sponsors along the way to pay for food, fuel and accommodation — meanwhile, every cent of the $9,000 he has raised already will be donated to a number of mental health charities.

He said he hopes his Ride To Happiness will raise $1 million.