A young Queensland farmer who embarked on a mission to circumnavigate Australia by tractor three years ago has arrived in Hobart.
21-year-old Sam Hughes, known as ‘The Travelling Jackaroo’, set off from his hometown of Maleny on the Sunshine Coast in March 2021 with his brightly coloured tractor named ‘Slim’.
The viral journey has since turned into a charity powerhouse, raising more than $240,000 for various not-for-profit groups, including $140,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, $70,000 for Dolly’s Dream and $20,000 for Drought Angels.
Hughes arrived in Tasmania on a Strait Link ferry in late May and made his first stop at the Tasmanian State Ploughing Competition in Elliott.
He then travelled along the north-west coast, where he was greeted with open arms by locals who offered him meals, repairs and new gear.
During a visit to the Don River Railway, volunteers Harry, Barry and John fixed several issues with the tractor before it sets off on its journey around the island state.
“In less than a day they completely removed Slims cooling system, repaired several cracks/leaks/blemishes as well as doing some welding repairs,” Hughes said.
He then made his way south on the Midland Highway, stopping at the Epping Forest Truckers Memorial, visiting the Campbell Town Show and calling in to Roxy’s IGA in Oatlands.
Hughes is now parked up at the Hobart Showground, where he’s planning to stay until Monday-Tuesday.
“If anyone would like to come make a donation and say Gday to myself or Bitsa, [I’ll be here]. If I’m not around I’ll be out and about occasionally in the zook doing the odd touristy things and fundraising but feel free to have a look,” he said.
Hughes is now only $10,000 away from his fundraising goal of a quarter of a million dollars for Australian charities.
