Bubsie and the Boys: The First Journey Around Australia By Car

by David Riley

Setting off on a “big lap” of Australia is an adventure today, but 100 years ago it was truly pioneering—especially when it wasn’t what you’d originally set out to do.

In 1925, there were no serviced roads in the great outback. No petrol stations. Nobody had ever driven the northern route from Perth to Darwin. So when 21-year-old Nevill Westwood approached his employer with a plan to explore the possibilities of outback Western Australia and the Northern Territory, there was some trepidation. But no-one else was volunteering to go.
The journey that began with two young missionaries setting out on an errand for their church soon became an epic adventure through rugged landscapes and vast cattle stations. Travelling in a tiny second-hand Citroën nicknamed “Bubsie”—a car with less power than a modern ride-on lawnmower—the boys glimpsed the triumphs and tragedies of life in early 20th-century Australia, met memorable characters and ultimately found themselves in a race to be the first to lap the continent.

This is the true story of Bubsie and the boys.


David Riley now lives and works in Newcastle, but his youth was spent in inner-western Sydney, where he developed a love for the South Sydney Rugby League Club, of which he is still an avid fan.

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2025

Reviews

[Stephen Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing that this story hasn’t been told before now. It’s a great yarn of two young Aussie blokes on an adventure around Australia in a little borrowed Citroën with half the horse power of a ride on lawn mower against unbelievable odds, the harsh Aussie outback, and some formidable competition to get to the finish line first. It is a story that needed to be told! I couldn’t put the book down. Their youthful spirit of adventure, their “never-say-die” attitude and their faith that fuelled their determination was inspiring!

David has balanced this story well and blended some fascinating Aussie history with some other amazing adventurers with some incredible stories of their own that i hadn’t heard before. Some of the stories are hard to read and harder to accept as part of our history in dealing with First Nation’s people. But it’s important we remember and learn from the mistakes of our past.

If you are a motoring enthusiast, if you have done the one big lap around Australia (or are considering it), if you love a good yarn, or if you are a history buff and enjoy a bit of Aussie history and adventure, you will love this book! It’s a great read with something for everyone.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is best listened to in David Riley’s classic Aussie accent on audible or other such platforms. It’s a non preachy history of a great achievement by young missionaries who were too inexperienced to know what couldn’t/shouldn’t be done. I loved the constant reminder of the First Nations and the colorful history of Australia that comes up with the descriptions of each town. This is a good way to understand Australia’s complicated history and the competition between their states. It could make many one want to do the iconic road trip. The human element was really compassionate as well.

[Lana Banana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bubsie and the Boys is one of those rare books that made me feel like part of their adventure all the way through.
By the end, I honestly felt like I’d gotten to know Nevill, Greg and even Bubsie as friends.

I was amazed by the level of detail in the story, and it made me laugh so many times - especially at their creative solutions like turning the wheels inside out.

I loved learning about all the places they visited along the way and the histories behind them. The whole book has inspired me to travel Australia for myself one day!

I highly recommend this incredible read full of history, humour and great characters!

[Jared Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no grandstanding here, just unfiltered Australian history told through ordinary people pushed into extraordinary circumstances. You can feel the dust, the breakdowns, the unexpected hospitality, and the sheer grit that carried them forward. What lingers, though, are the deeper threads: mateship, resilience, and the quiet determination that shaped so much of this country. For anyone who wants to see an unfiltered view of Australian history, real people, real struggle, real courage, this book is well worth reading.

[Shari Coburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this true Australian Story. It is a remarkable story of adventure - well written with humorous anecdotes, great characters, and visual imagery of the Australian landscape. You also get a snapshot of life in Australia as it was being established as a nation, as it touches on historical events, practices, and attitudes that have impacted this country – the ones to be celebrated, and many we simply cannot.

This truly is a great read for kids and adults alike 10/10.

[Joseph Champness · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful and captivating true story of the first attempted lap around Australia by car. It's a great Australian yarn. Highly recommend!