Hundreds of cars, each worth less than $1,000 have set out from Canberra to travel across the country, all in the name of cancer research.

Known as the Shitbox Rally, the event sees entrants make a 3,600-kilometre voyage across the country, in a car bought on a budget.

This year, about 200 cars will tackle the Birdsville track, driving towards the centre of Australia, before heading back towards the coast, ending in Townsville.

The rally is the brainchild of Adelaide man James Freeman, who conceived the idea after both his parents died of cancer within a year of each other.

"I really wanted to do something that would raise money, and certainly awareness, but also kind of help people who were in a situation like me, who had gone through a lot of loss," he said.

Exactly 200 cars will travel from Canberra to Australia in cars worth less than $1000. ( ABC News: Jordan Hayne )

Now in its sixth year, the rally runs along a different stretch of outback road each time.

"In the first year we had 18 teams, this year we have 200," Mr Freeman said.

"We've got a lot of people who want to do the rally, so it's a matter of trying to get everybody in that we can."

Sorry, this video has expired Annual 'Shitbox Rally' sets off from Canberra

Mr Freeman said when it came to deciding where the rally travelled, gut instinct played a huge part.

"When I look at the maps, and I look into the outback and central Australia, I look at roads and sections and I see which ones make me laugh the most," he said.

"Just the idea of taking a thousand dollar car on some of these roads, if it makes me giggle in this sort of sick, twisted way, then I know I've got a pretty good route."

Shitbox Rally growing in popularity

Each year, people flock from across Australia to take part in the rally which raises money for the Cancer Council.

Canberra cousins Tom and Peter Corra, are undertaking the trip as their alter egos - Captain Krunch and The Cereal Killer.

"It's all about the adventure, we're really looking forward to it," Tom said.

Peter, who is a mechanic, believes their car will have what it takes to make it to Townsville.

"We've done a bit of work on it, so we're quietly confident in it," he said.

This is the third rally for the Wolf Creek Taxi Co. driver Jonathon Selkirk. ( ABC News: Jordan Hayne )

For most, the rally is just a good time for a good cause, and the prospect of a breakdown is just part of the experience.

But for Tom, the stakes are a little bit higher.

"My wife, she's due [to give birth] in four and a half weeks time, so that's another thing to be worried about if the car does break down," he said.

This rally is the third time veteran Jonathan Selkirk and his team Wolf Creek Taxi Co. have participated.

He said previous journeys had been "eventful".

"Lots of incidents like fires, and broken shock mounts, and another fire, and a broken axle ... we had everything," Mr Selkirk said.

The burgeoning popularity of the event has made it the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council, with $5.8 million raised over the last four rallies.

Surviving cars are expected to reach Townsville on Friday.