Ultra-Trail Australia
If there’s one race most trail runners in Australia talk about, it’s Ultra-Trail Australia. When you step into the Blue Mountains, the whole atmosphere shifts. The cool morning air. The cliffs catching the first light. The quiet valleys stretching below you. It’s the kind of place that makes a big event feel even bigger.
UTA offers 11km, 22km, 50km and 100km distances, and from 2025 it also includes a new 100-mile (≈160km) option as part of its UTMB World Series Major status. This range gives runners room to grow. The shorter distances are a good start if you’re building confidence in long-distance trail running, while the 50km, 100km and 100-mile events require more planning, patience and consistent pacing. To understand exactly what distances you’ll be covering in an ultra, see how far an ultra marathon really is.
The course blends beauty with challenge. You move through long stair climbs, narrow ridgelines and flowing descents that demand steady focus. The Furber Steps near the finish are well-known for testing tired legs, but the surrounding views make those final metres unforgettable. It’s easy to see why UTA is considered one of the best Australian trail races.
The event atmosphere adds to the experience. Aid stations are energetic and supportive, with volunteers who understand how to help runners through the highs and lows of the day. You’ll see first-timers working out their trail running gear and experienced runners returning because the challenge and community keep pulling them back.
If you’re choosing your first major ultra, think about what you want from the journey. Do you want a course that challenges your limits while giving you scenery worth remembering? Ultra-Trail Australia delivers exactly that.
Every race finishes back at Scenic World in Katoomba, and crossing that line feels like a true milestone — one you carry with you long after the day is done.
If you’re ready to tackle technical trails, feel more confident on climbs and descents, or just enjoy your runs without frustration, our Ultra Running Coaching provides clear structure, personalised support, and a plan to help you run smarter and stronger.
Each coaching setup is designed to help you build endurance, speed, and mental resilience so you can focus on the run itself—less thinking about problems, more enjoying trails with confidence.
Start Ultra Running CoachingThe Great Ocean Road Ultra
The Great Ocean Road Ultra gives you a running experience that feels completely different from most events. You start in Lorne with the ocean beside you and the sound of waves rolling in before sunrise. As soon as you move along the Great Ocean Road, the mix of cliffs, forest sections and wide open coastline makes the day feel far bigger than a typical road event.
This 60km ultra is part of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival held each May. It runs from Lorne to Apollo Bay and follows a route that blends coastal bends, shaded inland sections and long stretches where the ocean sits right beside the road. The terrain is gently rolling rather than steep, so pacing becomes about staying relaxed and steady instead of grinding through big climbs.
One of the standout features of this race is the road closure. Large sections of the Great Ocean Road are closed to traffic during the event, giving runners a quiet, safe and uninterrupted course. Many runners mention this as the highlight because it lets you settle into a rhythm without having to think about cars or crowded footpaths.
Support stations are spaced throughout the course, offering regular chances to refuel and reset. This makes the day easier to manage, especially if you’re new to Australian ultra marathons or still learning how to time your stops around aid station support. The smooth, predictable road surface also helps you focus on consistent effort instead of technical footwork.
Of course, the race has its challenges. The camber on certain sections can test your hips, and the wind can push back hard along exposed coastal headlands. But once you enter Apollo Bay and hear the festival crowd, everything comes together. The finish feels earned, emotional and deeply satisfying.
For runners who want huge scenery without technical trails, the Great Ocean Road Ultra delivers one of the most memorable coastal running experiences in the country.
The Guzzler Ultra
The Guzzler Ultra is Brisbane’s signature trail running festival, and you feel its character as soon as you get close to the Mt Coot-tha trails. The event runs across forested ridgelines, shaded bushland and winding dirt tracks that sit right on the edge of the city. It’s a rare mix of easy access and genuine trail toughness, which is why so many runners make it a yearly goal.
The race offers 21km, 50km and 100km distances, with a 10km option included in some editions. The start and finish area are centred around Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane’s most popular trail network. Throughout the day, runners move between key landmarks such as Enoggera, Gold Creek and Lake Manchester, creating courses with their own rhythm and flow. Each distance feels different, but all of them highlight how much varied terrain sits so close to Brisbane’s suburbs.
The 100km event is known for being a major challenge. The event lists more than 4,600 metres of climbing for the full course, depending on the year. That amount of elevation means pacing becomes important, especially if you’re still learning how to manage your effort on long climbs. The Guzzler also carries a UTMB Index and has served as a Western States qualifier, which reflects the difficulty and reputation of the course.
The Guzzler Ultra stands out for runners who want big elevation and strong community support without leaving the city. Volunteers create a welcoming atmosphere at checkpoints, which makes aid station support feel dependable when fatigue starts to set in. It’s the kind of event where the people around you matter just as much as the course.
The terrain is almost entirely trail, with only short road sections connecting major areas. You spend hours hearing your footsteps on dirt, moving under tree cover and catching occasional views of the city in the distance. It’s a straightforward, honest test of endurance. If you enjoy events that reward steady effort, reliable trail running gear and a strong mindset, The Guzzler Ultra delivers one of Brisbane’s most memorable trail running experiences.
Targeting a 100 km ultra or looking to step up from 50 km? Our 100 km Running Training Plan gives you a smart, structured roadmap to build endurance, confidence and pacing for your longest effort yet.
Each week you’ll focus on key runs, recovery, nutrition and race‑day strategy—so you spend more time running with purpose and less time guessing what’s next.
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The Blackall 100 (Sunshine Coast)
The Blackall 100 is one of Queensland’s most respected trail ultras, held in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on the Blackall Range. The event offers 100km, 50km and 21km distances, giving runners solid options without stepping into extreme mountain terrain. When you arrive in Mapleton, the atmosphere is calm and welcoming. Volunteers, organisers and runners create a supportive environment that helps newcomers feel comfortable right away.
The course highlights some of the best national park scenery in the region. You move through rainforest, tall eucalypt forest, waterfalls and open ridgelines that change with the light throughout the day. The terrain blends fire trails, forest pathways and smooth sections where you can settle into a steady pace. Kondalilla National Park and Mapleton National Park bring variety to the route and give the whole event a natural flow.
For the 100km event, recent guides list approximately 3,290 metres of elevation gain. It’s enough to test your pacing without pushing into alpine climbing territory. The hills come steadily rather than in sudden spikes, which makes the event ideal for building confidence with long-distance pacing and elevation gain running. The race has also been a qualifier for the Western States Endurance Run, adding to its reputation within the wider ultra community.
Reliable aid station support is one of the strongest parts of the day. Volunteers are known for being warm, steady and helpful, making each stop a chance to regroup physically and mentally. The spacing of the checkpoints makes fueling simpler, especially for runners still learning how to manage their nutrition through long hours. The 21km and 50km distances give newer trail runners achievable goals, while the full 100km course offers a complete endurance test.
If you’re looking for a race that balances forest beauty, manageable difficulty and a strong community feel, the Blackall 100 is one of the best Australian ultra marathons to take on. It’s scenic, honest and built around a culture that supports every runner from the first kilometre to the finish.
Simpson Desert Ultra
The Simpson Desert Ultra is one of the most distinctive trail events in Australia, held near Birdsville on the edge of the Simpson Desert. Distances include 25km, 50km, 75km and 100km, giving runners several ways to explore this remote and iconic landscape. The outback setting feels wide, quiet and powerful from the moment you arrive, making the whole experience very different from forest or coastal ultras.
The terrain reflects the true character of the desert. You cross soft red sand, climb over low dunes and move across rocky gibber plains that reach far into the distance. There are also long, flat clay pan sections that feel like natural highways. These surfaces shift between firm and unstable, so pacing becomes something you have to think about. Some segments feel smooth and steady, while others sap your energy as the sand absorbs each step.
Because of the environment, preparation matters. Training on sand, understanding how you handle heat and planning hydration all play a major role. The event requires mandatory gear due to its remoteness, and aid station support is placed at strategic points to keep runners safe. Even with support, you still need to carry essential items because the long gaps between checkpoints test your planning skills as much as your fitness.
The scenery adds its own kind of motivation. Early morning light glows across the dunes, and the dry air feels still as the day warms up. The horizon stretches out in every direction, giving you a sense of space that’s rare in trail running. Those quiet, open moments make the event feel much bigger than the distance alone. When you reach the finish, it feels like you’ve moved through a part of Australia very few runners will ever see on foot.
If you want an event built around big skies, careful preparation and genuine toughness, the Simpson Desert Ultra is one of the most striking Australian ultra marathons you can take on. It challenges you, teaches you and stays with you long after the desert dust settles.
Down Under 135
Down Under 135 is known as one of the toughest foot races in Australia. It covers 135 miles (about 220km) in a single, non-stop stage through Victoria’s Lerderderg State Forest and Wombat State Forest. The race begins and ends at Mackenzie’s Flat Picnic Area in Darley, surrounded by steep ridgelines and rugged bushland. From the moment you step onto the trail, the terrain shows you the challenge ahead.
The organisers note that the full course includes more than 14,000m of vertical gain, with over 6,500m of climbing before the halfway point in recent editions. Trails are narrow and technical, with sharp climbs, rocky descents and uneven ground that keeps you alert. The Lerderderg Gorge is famous for deep cuttings and sudden gradients, and the course takes full advantage of this natural toughness. There are no easy kilometres; you must constantly adjust your rhythm and focus. For insight into how long an effort like this might take you, check our guide on how long it takes to run 50 miles.
Planning and gear are critical for this race. DU135 has a mandatory gear list because the forest is remote, and even with 11 event hubs providing assistance and check-ins, the gaps between them can feel long. Your trail running gear needs to be reliable. A strong headlamp is essential for night sections, and foot care becomes a daily focus as leaf litter, rocks and creek crossings test your skin and shoes. Crews and pacers are allowed, often becoming mental anchors when fatigue sets in.
The mental challenge is huge. Nights are quiet and dark, climbs stack up endlessly, and the forest can feel both beautiful and isolating. Small issues can grow if ignored, so runners learn to manage problems early, eat consistently, and trust their plan even when the body wants to stop.
If you want a race built on raw trails, big elevation, and serious problem-solving, Down Under 135 sets the standard. It demands everything from you, and the finish is a moment you’ll never forget.
GNW100s
The GNW100s (Great North Walk Ultras) is one of the longest-running and most respected Australian ultra marathons. The race follows rugged sections of the Great North Walk between the Sydney and Newcastle region, winding through the Watagan Mountains, Congewai Valley and surrounding national parks. The event offers 100km and 100 miles (about 158–160km), both known for technical terrain, sharp climbs and long forest stretches that demand careful pacing from the start.
The course is classic Australian bushland. You run through eucalyptus forests, sandstone ridgelines, rocky singletrack and rolling fire trails that stretch for kilometres. Some ascents are steep and sustained, especially in the Watagan ranges, while descents can feel slow when fatigue sets in. The 100km course climbs roughly 3,800m, while the 100-mile distance reaches about 6,200m, creating a consistent, honest challenge. Many runners say the GNW100s teaches you to stay calm and pace yourself rather than charging out too fast.
Because the race covers long hours on varied terrain, preparation is crucial. The event provides aid station support, but some segments are long, so runners must carefully manage calories and fluids. Reliable trail running gear is essential, including strong headlamps for night sections and poles if you use them for bigger climbs. Away from towns, the bush becomes very dark, and good lighting helps on sections with roots, rocks and narrow tracks.
One of my coaching clients described the GNW100s as “quietly demanding.” Nothing about the course is flashy, yet the challenge builds steadily. The climbs accumulate, the forest becomes still at night, and small issues grow if ignored. He said finishing the 100km gave a deep sense of achievement because the course demands patience, focus, and respect for the terrain.
If you want an ultra that blends old-school Australian trail culture, rich bushland scenery and a real mental test, the GNW100s is a standout choice. And if you’re wondering whether you’re at the right stage in life to tackle your first ultra, check our guide on what age is best for a marathon runner for tips on performance, recovery, and pacing at different ages.
Margaret River Ultra Marathon
The Margaret River Ultra Marathon is one of the most popular Australian ultra marathons, offering an 80km point-to-point journey along Western Australia’s Cape to Cape coastline. The route combines runnable coastal trails, beach sections, limestone paths and stretches of forest, giving runners a course that feels varied without being overly technical. Here, scenery and rhythm are as important as endurance.
The race starts at Hamelin Bay and finishes at Howard Park Wines in Wilyabrup. Along the way, runners pass clear-blue bays, rugged cliffs and long beaches that challenge pacing across soft sand. Inland sections move through peppermint woodland and coastal scrub, connecting firm clay trails with short bursts of singletrack. The variety keeps runners engaged and encourages thoughtful pacing as different surfaces appear along the course.
Elevation is moderate for an ultra of this distance, with the course including roughly 1,700m of climbing. Instead of long mountain ascents, you encounter rolling dunes, stepped limestone rises and undulating coastal terrain. Because most of the course is runnable, athletes often choose simple, lightweight trail running gear to maintain rhythm and efficiency without needing extra support for climbs.
The event is well organised, providing structured aid station support at checkpoints spaced along major terrain transitions. This makes it easier to plan refueling, bottle changes, and minor adjustments while moving through coastal and forest sections. Volunteers at each station offer encouragement and energy, helping runners reset before continuing deeper into the course.
If you’re looking for an ultra that blends accessible terrain, beautiful coastal scenery and a memorable challenge, the Margaret River Ultra Marathon is a standout. It offers variety rather than extreme elevation, making the finish feel rewarding, balanced and unforgettable.
Ready to take on your first ultra or step up beyond the marathon? Our 50 km Running Training Plan gives you the structure, guidance and support you need to cross that milestone with confidence.
Weekly workouts focus on building endurance, improving pacing and dialing in essential race‑day strategy—so you can focus on enjoying the trails, not stressing your plan.
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Compare Australia’s Top Ultra Marathons in One Quick View
If you want a fast way to compare the best ultra running events in Australia, this table lays out every major race we’ve discussed, and you can also explore the running events calendar to see upcoming races across the country. Including distances, terrain style, and what makes each event stand out, this overview helps you decide which trail matches your goals, strengths, and running style.
👉 Swipe to view full table
| Rank | Event | Distance(s) | Location | Key Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ultra-Trail Australia | 22km, 50km, 100km | Blue Mountains, NSW | Iconic trails, major international event | Visit |
| 2 | The Great Ocean Road Ultra | 60km | Victoria | Coastal scenery, flowing road-trail mix | Visit |
| 3 | The Guzzler Ultra | 21km, 50km, 100km | Brisbane, QLD | Rainforest trails, strong community atmosphere | Visit |
| 4 | Sunshine Coast Ultra (Tarawera Australia) | 21km, 50km, 100km | Sunshine Coast, QLD | Fast course, diverse terrain | |
| 5 | Simpson Desert Ultra | 25km, 50km, 75km, 100km, 160km | Birdsville, QLD (Simpson Desert) | Remote desert course, sand dunes, clay pans | Visit |
| 6 | Down Under 135 | 135 miles (≈220km) | Lerderderg & Wombat State Forests, VIC | One of Australia's toughest ultras, 14,000m+ vert | Visit |
| 7 | GNW100s (Great North Walk) | 100km, 100 miles (≈158km) | NSW | Historic bush trail race, steep ascents | |
| 8 | Margaret River Ultra Marathon | 80km | Western Australia | Scenic coastal route, runnable terrain | Visit |
| 9 | The Bloody Long Walk Ultra | 35km, 50km | Various Locations | Charity event, accessible entry distance | Visit |
| 10 | Brisbane Trail Ultra | 30km, 60km, 110km | Brisbane, QLD | Urban-trail mix, hilly and technical | Visit |
The Finish Line Is Only the Beginning
Choosing the right race matters, and Australia has some of the best Australian ultra marathons anywhere. Each event offers something different — coastal views, forest climbs, fast runnable paths or tough long-distance challenges.
If you’re newer to ultras, start simple and pick a course that feels manageable. If you’re more experienced, look for a race that matches your strengths, whether that’s steady climbing, rolling singletrack or long flat sections that let you settle into a rhythm with reliable aid station support.
The key is finding a race that motivates you. Think about the terrain you enjoy, the distance you’re ready for, and the kind of day you want to have. Using the right trail running gear and planning for changes in pace can make a big difference on race day.
Whichever event you choose, these Australian ultra marathons give you a clear goal and a chance to explore some of the country’s best trails. Pick the one that feels right, prepare well, and let the experience guide your next steps in the sport. Here you can explore the running events calendar to find upcoming races that match your goals and build a smart progression.
