So, Rylstone 2026. I'm not sure if I have posted here about The Rylstone Classic. It's a (now) big touring event held over a weekend in Australia. It officially starts about an hour north of Sydney, and the destination is always Rylstone, which is an old small inland town. The route changes every year, and as it is built for minis the most entertaining/scenic roads are chosen, so no highways unless absolutely necessary!
Around 200 minis and mini variants take part, with the odd other classic car involved. It's a fantastic and friendly event, really enjoyable, and you can follow the directions or create your own adventure.
here's a youtube video of the 2025 event
I feel I've left it almost too long to recount everything, but the main thing is that the van went well and it was mostly a very highly enjoyable weekend!
obligatory fuel stop en route to the first meet up
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
As per usual, Sydney Minis had their gathering spot at Thornleigh Maccas (McDonalds). I had managed to run later than i wanted so while I got to McDonalds with enough time to grab a coffee and say hello, I didn't really plan for the extra talking about the van. So, shoving a coffee down as I was meant to be joining the others for the trip up meant I was at the back end of the line and didn't get through the first set of traffic lights. Great.
Thankfully I was comfortable in the new seating position and was able to easily listen to some music as I drove up by myself. Part way along the highway to Somersby a bunch of Mokes appeared, so I was able to tag along and cruise in with them. It always more fun pulling in with others.
I keep forgetting that I seem to know a bunch of really good people involved in minis, so it's great to be able to catch up with others. With the great weather this year I was able to spend bulk time chatting to friends and strangers.
20260829_084420 by brad g, on Flickr
20260829_085527 by brad g, on Flickr
20260829_085642 by brad g, on Flickr
Anyway, we headed off and quickly pulled over outside Worthington BMW to try and keep our group together. I think this probably helped place us further back in the looooooong procession of cars tackling the Rylstone Classic 2026.
Happy to credit who took the below pics, I definitely appreciate them being taken and posted up on facebook
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Apart from a few wrong turns, the group was travelling pretty well, not quickly, but steadily. Unfortunately, Robs mini did have a moment which I think was related to the coil or distributor.
20260829_132917 by brad g, on Flickr
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
20260829_134316 by brad g, on Flickr
I'm not sure about all the others, but i was enjoying myself enough that i hadn't contemplated lunch yet, despite being some time around 1:30pm. The enforced break made our group decide to miss the field meal, as we would be arriving there very late (still 60-90 minutes away), so the decision was made we would stop at the next little pub/town with food. It seemed that despite us having passed numerous food spots just prior to the breakdown, the next one was a while away. We made do with a quick bite at Bulga, and headed off as a bit of a scattered group.
I had one aim, and that was to get to Rylstone prior to sunset. I'm not cut out for night country driving in a mini, so it's best totally avoided if possible! However, i was driving by myself at this point, and coming through Kerrabee I stumbled across another friendly breakdown at Coxs Gap. It feels only right to pull over and offer any assistance or parts.
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Unfortunately, Michaels mini was having none of it, and the Worthington Garage tow vehicle/angel had to be summoned. This delay pushed our ETA well past sunset, as we still had some 75km to Rylstone. It was a VERY sketchy trip, thankfully headed by Rob and Deb, but at only around 70km/h as it was pitch black and the road condition was atrocious. I think we were very lucky to only have two interactions with wildlife (wombats) in the last 10km to Rylstone. Thankfully Rob saw both in time and the wombats hadn't made it too far into the lane.
It was an experience all three of us are happy to never repeat!
20260829_202924 by brad g, on Flickr
Literally the ONLY vehicle we came across once the sun had set was the tow vehicle heading towards the stricken mini of Michael. It arrived in town a bit later. The guys miraculously got it running again the next morning and it triumphantly drove into town under it's own steam.
20260829_202752 by brad g, on Flickr
After the exhausting trip, I had a quick bite, took a brief trip to the Globe hotel to say hello to some people, but promptly retired to my room for the night.
Waking up sunday morning i decided i would head down to the main street of Rylstone to grab some brekky and a coffee before it got too busy. So i didn't wake my other house mates, I was able to just do a human-powered u-turn and roll the van down to park on the main drag.
Again, happy to credit those who took the photos beneath
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
After spending heaps of time having conversations and catching up, it was time to head back home. Apart from stopping at Lithgow Maccas for food it was a reasonably speedy trip home to Sydney
Mini van by brad g, on Flickr
I gave the van a good wash so the bugs wouldn't turn to cement and tucked it away again.
Joe's new business sticker made an appearance on the van
20260830_174928 by brad g, on Flickr
After however many years, The Rylstone Classic 2026 will be the last for my fictitious navigator Iamma Lozt. The legend will be retired, as it seems family and friends have clued on to how enjoyable the event is, and have started trying to secure a passenger seat to 2027
Goodbye Iamma Lozt, but it does mean I'll have a navigator next year and (hopefully) stop getting lost!
20260831_171324 by brad g, on Flickr
Edited by braad, 12 October 2026 - 01:29 PM.
to get it).
Why easy when complicated is an option... 
