What’s happening?
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) annual fitness challenge, Oceans to Outback, returns on Wednesday 1 October 2025. The challenge invites supporters to walk, run or ride to ensure the RFDS continues delivering essential health services and life-saving care to rural, regional and remote Australians.
Why it matters
With 87 aircraft operating from 23 bases across the country, the RFDS delivers care to more than 345,000 Australians every year. This includes more than 32,000 aeromedical evacuations annually, along with daily GP, dental, and mental health clinics in some of the most remote parts of the nation.
“Oceans to Outback is a chance to challenge yourself while making a huge difference,” said Lauren Lynagh, Oceans to Outback Fundraising Manager. “When you sign up to walk, run or ride, you’re not just improving your own fitness, you’re also helping the health and wellbeing of those in the outback. Every kilometre you cover helps keep our aircraft flying, our crews equipped, and our communities connected to care.”
Local impact
For seven-year-old Asher, the RFDS proved vital. On a sailing holiday in Far North Queensland, she was injured when a live shark lashed out from a crab pot, cutting deep into her knee.
“When we realised her pants had been cut through and there was blood, we bandaged it straight away,” said mum Niki. “My biggest worry was whether we’d even be able to reach Lockhart River because the weather was so bad. We had to anchor our vessel offshore, take the tinny in, and try to do a beach landing in big waves while carrying Asher. I can remember standing out in the water holding the tinny, while my husband Ryan carried Asher to the ambulance on the beach, trying not to think about all the crocodiles we’d seen in the days before.”
At the Lockhart River clinic, a nurse phoned the RFDS. RFDS Medical Officer Dr Davina Pereira said, “I could see the gash was deep, right across her knee joint. Any wound like that, especially from tropical waters, is at extreme risk of infection. Left untreated, it could lead to sepsis – and the loss of a limb.”
Within hours, the RFDS flew Asher more than 700 kilometres to Cairns Hospital. Soon after arriving, she collapsed when doctors discovered a punctured artery. Immediate surgery saved her life.
“We were travelling by boat. Even if we could have tried to drive a motor vehicle, it would have been 10 hours with her injury getting worse,” Niki said. “I don’t want to think about what might have happened. We are forever grateful the Flying Doctor saved our little girl.”
By the numbers
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345,000 Australians receive care from the RFDS each year.
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32,000 aeromedical evacuations are performed annually.
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87 aircraft operate from 23 bases nationwide.
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RFDS crews travel 75,000 kilometres daily and have contact with 900 patients every day.
Zoom in
Every day, more than half of the RFDS’s work is not emergency evacuations but primary healthcare. This includes dental care, vaccinations, telehealth, and mental health support for people who would otherwise have to travel long distances for help.
Zoom out
“Oceans to Outback is vital because aviation and medicine are two of the most expensive industries and we work in both,” Lauren said. “By joining the challenge, you’ll be helping us stay ready for the next call, the next flight, and the next life that depends on us.”
What to look for next
Participants in Oceans to Outback can set their own distance goals or take on an RFDS-inspired challenge, such as:
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42km – 1km for every 1,000 Australians without easy access to basic healthcare
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87km – 1km for every Flying Doctor aircraft across Australia
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97km – 1km for every year RFDS has provided life-saving healthcare
Dr Davina said: “The Flying Doctor is more than a service, it’s a safety net for anyone living, working or travelling in remote, rural or regional Australia. The funds raised from Oceans to Outback help us respond quicker, fly further and save more lives.”
Oceans to Outback begins 1 October. Register HERE.
