Event Overview
Paluma Ultra is a 52km ultramarathon run held in the Paluma Range National Park area near Paluma, Queensland. The event is scheduled for 24 Oct 2026, with a 6am start after a 5am sign-in. The course begins at the Gumburu Environmental Education Centre and finishes at the Paluma Village Green. The route traverses varied terrain across the Paluma Range and is positioned as a full-distance ultra with on-course support points.
What the Course Demands
Across 52km, the course combines technical sections, repeated climbs and descents, and multiple creek crossings, shifting between dense wet-tropics rainforest and more open forest and rural country before returning to Paluma. The event information highlights “pinchy climbs” and slippery downhills on older mining and logging trails, along with a major climb towards Mt Spectacle. Two aid stations are listed, at 20km and 38km, shaping fueling and pacing decisions.
Who This Event Suits Best
This event suits experienced distance runners who are comfortable managing a long day on variable, technical terrain and who can remain self-sufficient between aid stations. It is best matched to athletes with confident footing on uneven trails and the ability to handle sustained climbs as fatigue accumulates. With a minimum age of 18 and specified cut-offs, it is less suitable as a first-time ultramarathon without prior trail experience.
