Two-decade-old Toyota Corolla stuns Gibb River Road onlookers

feel good Young traveller takes on landmark Gibb River Road in 24yo Toyota Corolla Thu 30 Jul 2026 at 8:33am In short: Jonny Charles is driving the 660km unsealed length of the Gibb River Road in his two-decade-old Toyota Corolla. The 24-year-old is funding his lap of Australia by selling coffees from a commercial grade machine in his boot. What's next? After completing the Gibb, Mr Charles said he plans to drive south along Western Australia's coast. "Where there's a will, there's a way" has been the mantra of Jonny Charles as he ventured onto one of Western Australia's most famous four-wheel-drive tracks in a 2002 Toyota Corolla. Hailing from the Gippsland region in Victoria, the 24-year-old has been on the road since February, most recently traversing the Gibb River Road in WA's Kimberley. His trip around Australia has become a social media sensation, attracting support from thousands online. Mr Charles said he wanted to get out and explore, and the Corolla just so happened to be the car he owned. The vehicle cost him $2,000 and originally served him well as a delivery driver through university. Taking on the Gibb The Gibb, his most recent challenge, stretches 660 kilometres from Derby in the west to Kununurra and Wyndham in the east, around 2,300km north of Perth. The route attracts thousands of adventurous visitors each year. "The Gibb is a beautiful road," he said. "I'd heard so many good things about it and thought, 'why not give it a crack?'" The road includes river crossings, corrugations and rocky terrain, but Mr Charles said he was never too concerned. "I just love the challenge," Mr Charles said. "I love it when stuff goes wrong and breaks." Makeshift river crossing His engineering degree and experience at a mechanic's workshop was put to use for the Pentecost River Crossing, located between El Questro Wilderness Park and Home Valley Station. Framed by the towering red sandstone cliffs of the Cockburn Range, the crossing is about 60 metres long. To keep his engine dry Mr Charles fashioned a homemade snorkel from a $2 pool noodle and duct tape. "Worked a treat,"he said. His successful crossing was met with cheers from onlookers. Loading..."There was a good number of people, with the camp there," Mr Charles said. "They hadn't seen that before, I don't think." The Corolla is not the first aging two-wheel-drive to tackle the Pentecost. A charity event held in 2025 saw cars worth just $1,500 make it across. The challenge was held by S***Box Rallies, an organisation encouraging teams to take on some of Australia's most formidable roads to raise money for cancer support and prevention. 'Cafe Corolla' Tucked away in the boot of Mr Charles' car is a commercial grade coffee machine, grinder, beans and cartons of milk. The 'Cafe Corolla' charges a flat rate of $5 per coffee, and is helping fund Mr Charles' travels. He said it had also been a great way to meet people out on the road. "I've solo-travelled in the past and kind of struggled to make too many friends," Mr Charles said. "But the coffee brings people out in the morning. You have a quick chat and I love that." He plans to continue his lap of Australia down the WA coast after conquering the Gibb. "If you see me, come say g'day," he said. "I'll try and make you a coffee if I can."