The stories are legendary – with the first event in 2005, Hells Bells 24hr Adventure Race has a proud history in Australia as one of the country’s longest running adventure races.
Based on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, competitors travel from all over Australia and overseas. It is a tough event and the highlight of many competitors calendars.
Date: 8-9 August 2026
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Duration: 24 hour event
Entries: ENTER NOW
Team size: 2 person, 4 person
Part of the ARWS Oceania Series
About Hells Bells
Hells Bells is a non-stop 24hr adventure race involving trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and other adventure disciplines. Mixed, Male or Female teams of two or four must navigate their way unsupported through an arduous 120+km course that is only revealed to them hours before the race.
Fairy Bells adventure race is run at the same time as Hells Bells. It covers about half the distance (about 80kms) but teams have the full 24hrs to complete it. The legs are challenging, but with the additional time available to complete the half course, teams have a greater chance to reach the finish line. The race is designed as a stepping stone to Hells Bells and longer races and is perfect for teams doing their first adventure race. The Fairy Bells course is interwoven through Hells Bells and covers some of the same terrain.
Each year a new and exciting course is developed. Courses are normally linear with teams often transported to the start line and finishing back at race HQ.
The winning Hells Bells teams are estimated to take 16-20hrs to complete the course. The winning Fairy Bells teams are expected to take 8-12hrs. All teams for both events have up to 24hrs to complete the course.
Athletes will need to be self sufficient and prepared for anything as the course and mixture of disciplines on the day will only be revealed hours before the start of the race.
““Expect this to be tough – this event is only for those who can race and complete a hard core challenge. Race support will be given with water stations on the course but you will be expected to carry your own water and nutrition for long sections of the course!”
Hells Bells Course
There are two course options at Hells Bells a full course and Fairy Bells – the half course.
FULL COURSE
The Full Course is the ultimate test of physical and mental limits. It is the major focus of each event and the crown jewel for most teams. This course is tough and may have teams on the move for 24 hours or more, and not all teams are expected to complete it. It wouldn’t have a reputation as a tough event if everyone could finish.
With good teamwork and determination, finishing teams can expect to spend anywhere from 14 to 24 hours on the course. No specific provisions are made for sleeping, so teams must plan their own sleep strategy.
Fairy Bells – HALF COURSE
Fairy Bells is designed to provide a shorter but still demanding 24 hour adventure race experience.
Teams begin the race alongside Full Course teams before branching off onto their specific course. These courses are often interwoven with the Full Course, meaning teams may travel many of the same sections.
Fairy Bells teams have the full 24 hour time limit to complete their course.
WHICH COURSE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The choice is entirely up to you; however, teams new to 24 hour adventure racing are encouraged to consider Fairy Bells as their first step. The shorter distance and additional time provide a greater chance of finishing.
Teams will have more opportunity to recover from navigational errors and can spend longer in transition areas warming up and eating.
Novice teams are welcome to enter the Full Course but should be aware that it will be hard, technical, and that there is a real chance they may not finish. That said, many teams have successfully completed the Full Course in past events after stepping up to the challenge.
Hells Bells Distances
Full Course
In very general terms, Full Course teams can expect approximate total distances of:
Trekking: 25–35km
Mountain biking: 60–70km
Kayaking: 15–25km
Fairy Bells
In very general terms, Half Course teams can expect approximate total distances of:
Trekking: 12–20km
Mountain biking: 30–50km
Kayaking: 8–15km
Hells Bells Format
Hells Bells is a linear Adventure Race. All teams begin at the same location and navigate their way through each leg consecutively. At the end of each leg is a Transition Area, where teams change from one discipline to another.
At most Transition Areas, teams will be met by the transition crew and any supporters who choose to attend.
Teams may be transported to the start line; however, the race will always finish at Race HQ.
While on the course, team members must remain within 100 metres of each other at all times. If a team member withdraws, the team will not receive an official finishing place. The team may be permitted to continue Unranked, provided a minimum of two competitors remain.
The winning team in each category will be the first team to cross the finish line after successfully navigating all legs of the course and finishing with all the team members they started with.
CUT-OFFS & TIME LIMITS
Our aim is to give teams the opportunity to challenge themselves non-stop for the full 24 hour duration of the event. Even if a team is moving slowly, they should still be able to remain on the course for the full event time limit, regardless of how far they progress.
Teams must, however, return to Race HQ for the official race finish.
Hells Bells Location
Hells Bells has been designed to move it to a different location on the Sunshine Coast each year. It has been as far north as Rainbow Beach and south as Bribie Island.
2026 LOCATION: MAPLETON
Mountain Designs Hells Bells headed back Mapleton for 2026…but with a beach start!
Mapleton, located in the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, has been announced as the official HQ and finish location for the 2026 edition of the Mountain Designs Hells Bells 24hr Adventure Race.
Over 400 people including competitors, family and friends from around Australia and the Asia Pacific Region will attend the Mountain Designs Hells Bells 24hr Adventure Race from 8-9 August 2026.
The race is held annually on the first weekend in August on the Sunshine Coast. The location of the course is moved each year to a different area to pose exciting new challenges for competitors.
This year’s HQ location of choice, Mapleton, is a 35min drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport and just 70 minutes north of Brisbane.
