GeoQuest... What Comes Next?

GeoQuest has just celebrated its 25th birthday, and the 2026 race marked the end of GeoQuest in its current format – 48hrs, supported race with unsupported option, mid-north coast NSW location, kayaks supplied.

Before deciding what comes next, we want to hear directly from the adventure racing community.

Should GeoQuest continue? Should it remain a 48-hour race? Does it need a new home? And what parts of the GeoQuest format really matter?

This is a very short survey and should only take a couple of minutes.

Welcome to Top Dog 4!

It’s hard to believe this is already the fourth edition of Top Dog 24. After three great races based at Stromlo, we knew Top Dog had found its place on the Australian adventure racing calendar, but for 2026 we decided it was time to explore a completely new part of Canberra.

Why Canberra? You only have to open a map of the ACT to see why we keep coming back. Outside the city streets there are mountains, open country, rivers, rocky ridgelines, fantastic trails and an incredible network of tracks and paths connecting it all together. For an adventure race course setter, there are almost too many options.

The race format for 2026 is a linear course designed around an 80+km course for the Half Course and 130+km for the Full Course. Our new location has opened up some epic navigation possibilities, with incredibly beautiful trails, rock hopping, plenty of route choice and some sections that feel like real adventure.

The race will kick off with some fun fast urban navigation before teams make their way out into the more adventurous parts of the course. From there, expect plenty of variety and some great navigation as the course moves through a very different part of Canberra to previous editions.

The field is shaping up to be a similar size to last year, with plenty of familiar faces returning and some new teams lining up for their first Top Dog. As always, both the Top Dog and Little Dog will reward smart navigation, good teamwork and consistent racing.

The team list is now live on the website, so jump on and see who you’ll be racing alongside.

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in Canberra for Top Dog 4!

Chris Dixon
RACE DIRECTOR

TOP DOG 4 → INFORMATION PACK IS LIVE

Top Dog 4 is almost here!

The 2026 Information Pack is now live with everything teams need to know before race weekend, including race timings, logistics, gear requirements, course information, kayaks, tracking and race rules.

This year we’re heading to a new HQ at Googong after three editions at Stromlo, with a completely new course, some epic navigation, beautiful trails, rock hopping and plenty of adventure waiting out there.

Race weekend: 10–11 October 2026
Race HQ: Googong, NSW
Top Dog: 130+km
Little Dog: 80+km

Please read the Information Pack carefully and make sure everyone in your team has seen it before race weekend.

Information Pack + Event Details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xktrM8LnKQmO2TLlSpk-yXGw1DvBFYx9/view?usp=sharing

See you in Googong!

Terra Nova 24 Heads To Swan Lake In 2027

Swan Lake on the NSW South Coast has been announced as the location for the 2027 Terra Nova 24 Adventure Race, with teams set to explore a completely new Wild&Co race area on 6–7 March 2027.

Terra Nova returns to the Shoalhaven in 2027, this time heading to Swan Lake and the surrounding coastline, forests and trails for a brand-new course.

The location was first identified while the Wild&Co team was travelling through the area last year, with the combination of the lake, coastline and surrounding bush immediately standing out as an exciting location for a future adventure race.

Race Director Chris Dixon said Swan Lake provides a fantastic canvas for the next edition of Terra Nova.

“We travelled through Swan Lake last year and pretty much immediately started looking around and thinking about what we could do here.

“It’s a beautiful part of the South Coast, but from an adventure racing perspective it also gives us so many possibilities. We’ve got the lake, coastline, forests and a great network of trails all within reach.

“We’re only at the beginning of the course planning process, but there’s a lot to explore and we can’t wait to get back down there and start putting it together.”

A New Terra Nova Course

Moving the race location and developing a completely new course has become an important part of Terra Nova.

Previous editions have explored very different parts of the Shoalhaven, from Kangaroo Valley in the hinterland to Kioloa, Narrawallee, Mollymook and the surrounding South Coast.

The 2026 race took teams through Narrawallee, Lake Conjola, Manyana and Berrara, combining coasteering, mountain biking, kayaking and trekking across a spectacular coastal course.

Swan Lake will provide another completely different landscape for 2027.

As always, the exact course will remain secret until race weekend, but teams can expect Terra Nova’s traditional mix of trekking, mountain biking, paddling and navigation, with route choice, teamwork and smart decision-making playing an important role throughout the race.

Full And Half Course Options

Terra Nova 24 will again offer both Full and Half Course options, giving experienced teams the opportunity to race a complete 24-hour course while providing a more achievable pathway into longer-format adventure racing.

Teams can race as teams of two or four across Male, Female and Mixed categories.

Key Details

Date: 6–7 March 2027
Location: Swan Lake, Shoalhaven, NSW
Duration: 24 hours
Courses: Full Course and Half Course
Team Size: 2 or 4 person teams
Super Early Bird: Ends 30 September 2026
Early Bird: Ends 31 December 2026

With the location now revealed, course planning and exploration will continue over the coming months as Wild&Co begins building the next Terra Nova adventure.

Super Early Bird entries close 30 September 2026.

For more information or to enter:

https://www.wldnco.com/24hr-events-calander/terranova-24-2027

Mountain Designs GeoQuest Celebrates 25th Birthday With A Fitting Final Classic Adventure

The Mountain Designs GeoQuest has celebrated its 25th birthday with a spectacular finale to the race’s current format, with teams battling white water, difficult navigation, wild forests and dramatically changing weather across the Barrington Coast.

GeoQuest has been challenging adventure racing teams since its first race in 2002 and, over more than two decades, has developed its own traditions, stories and place within Australian adventure racing.

For Race Director Chris Dixon, seeing teams finally line up in Forster was particularly significant after flooding and severe weather disrupted the event over the previous two years.

“It was pretty special seeing everyone on the start line. GeoQuest has been a huge part of Australian adventure racing for 25 years, and there are people in this field who have been coming back and racing it for a very long time.

“We wanted this final race in the current format to feel like a proper GeoQuest. We wanted big country, proper navigation, difficult decisions and some genuine adventure... and I think the course delivered all of that.

“There was a lot of emotion around this one, but it was also just really exciting to see the teams out there racing and doing what GeoQuest teams do.”

A Classic GeoQuest Course

The race began with one of its biggest highlights as teams took on the Barrington River in hot conditions.

White water, rapids and plenty of action provided an exciting opening paddle before teams transitioned onto their bikes as temperatures began to fall.

A spectacular full moon provided the backdrop as teams climbed away from the river and followed beautiful country lanes alongside Berrico Creek and towards Berrico National Park and State Forest.

Their first trek was a short but deceptively challenging rogaine of around four to five kilometres.

Teams quickly discovered that trails marked on the map weren’t always quite as obvious on the ground. Ridgelines, saddles, high points, spurs and a deep creek bed provided the first serious navigational test before teams returned to transition and headed out on what would become one of the defining legs of the race.

The 56-kilometre mountain bike leg sounded relatively straightforward on paper.

It was anything but.

Navigation decisions, steep ridges, gullies and sections of hike-a-bike made progress difficult before teams were rewarded with spectacular riding through The Glen and Ghin-Doo-Ee National Park, including some incredible forest trails and singletrack.

Checkpoint 15 proved particularly challenging for a number of teams before they eventually emerged at Markwell Fire Station, where they were welcomed by the event crew and another major transition.

For the Full Course teams, the next challenge was perhaps the toughest of the race... a 25–28 kilometre trek through Wang Wauk State Forest and the surrounding national park.

Steep hills, deep gullies, disappearing tracks and thick lantana combined to create genuine expedition-style adventure racing. Teams were forced to make constant navigation decisions while continuing to push through some incredibly challenging terrain.

Simply reaching the transition at Coolongolook became a significant achievement.

From Glassy Water To Horizontal Rain

Initially, conditions looked almost perfect. Glassy water and an outgoing tide helped teams through the early stages of the final kayak.

Then everything changed.

As teams crossed the open water between CP19 and CP20, they were confronted by horizontal rain, strong winds, chop and waves, with temperatures dropping to around 11°C and a significant wind chill.

It was another reminder of how quickly conditions can change during GeoQuest.

Teams dug deep and pushed through the weather before eventually reaching the final transition and setting off on the last trek towards Forster and the finish line.

The stamina, strength and determination shown by teams throughout the race demonstrated the depth of experience and toughness within the GeoQuest field.

A Race Right To The Finish

At the front of the field, BMX Bandits spent much of the race leading, but it was never comfortable.

Mountain Designs Wild Women moved into the lead at one stage, while the positions behind them changed repeatedly throughout the race. Teams crossed paths throughout the course, with second, third, fourth and fifth places continuing to change and the pressure remaining on deep into the race.

Ultimately, long-time GeoQuest competitors BMX Bandits took the overall victory and first Male team.

Wicking Through The Marshes finished second overall and second Male, while Mountain Designs Wild Womencompleted the podium in third overall and first Female.

Full Course Podium

1. BMX Bandits – Male

2. Wicking Through The Marshes – Male

3. Mountain Designs Wild Women – Female

Half Course Podium

1. Lost Hogs – Male

2. Living Large – Male

3. Wild Hunts Dirty Boots – Female

For BMX Bandits, the victory was a fitting result in the final GeoQuest in its current format.

After crossing the finish line, BMX Bandits’ Dave Ellis reflected on the challenging nature of the race and the legacy of GeoQuest co-founder Craig Bycroft.

“That was a course Craig would have been proud of,” Ellis said.

Their victory combined toughness, strong navigation decisions and the mental grit required to keep moving as the race became increasingly difficult.

That same resilience was evident throughout the field.

The changing weather, demanding navigation and scale of the course tested every team differently. Watching competitors continue to make decisions, solve problems and push forward through difficult moments was a fitting reminder of what has made GeoQuest such an enduring part of Australian adventure racing.

What Comes Next For GeoQuest?

While the finish line marks the end of GeoQuest in its current format, what comes next remains an open question.

Change has always been part of the race’s history. GeoQuest was originally raced south of Sydney before moving to the Mid North Coast after its first few years, beginning the era of GeoQuest that most competitors know today.

Now, 25 years later, Wild&Co will take some time to reflect on the event and talk to the adventure racing community about whether there should be another chapter, and what that might look like.

Wild&Co will begin a consultation process with past and present competitors and the wider Australian adventure racing community, including a survey over the coming month.

Dixon said there are deliberately no decisions yet about the future of the race.

“This is the end of GeoQuest in its current format, and I think after 25 years it’s the right time to stop and ask what comes next.

“GeoQuest has evolved before. It started south of Sydney before moving to the Mid North Coast, and that change shaped the race that most people know today.

“There may be another evolution of GeoQuest, there may still be an appetite for the classic 48-hour race, or this may prove to have been the final GeoQuest. We genuinely don’t know yet, and I think that’s okay.

“What matters now is listening to the people who have raced it, supported it and been part of it over the years. We’ll be asking the adventure racing community what they want to see next, and then we’ll make a decision about where GeoQuest goes from here.”

After 25 years of adventure racing, the current chapter of GeoQuest has come to a close.

Whether another chapter follows will be a conversation with the adventure racing community that helped build it.

Mountain Designs GeoQuest Ready to Race on the Barrington Coast

Just under 100 adventure racers will descend on Forster this weekend for the Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race, as one of Australia’s longest-running adventure races finally gets underway after two years of disruption from floods and severe weather.

The race starts from Forster Surf Club and will send teams on a non-stop journey through the Barrington Coast and surrounding hinterland, navigating by map and compass as they trek, mountain bike and kayak their way through up to 48 hours of racing.

It will also mark the end of an era for GeoQuest.

First held in 2002, GeoQuest has become one of the iconic events of Australian adventure racing. This weekend will be the final edition in its traditional location and format, with Wild&Co already looking towards what comes next for the event.

Race Director Chris Dixon said finally getting teams onto the course after the challenges of the past two years will make this year particularly special.

“Flooding and severe weather have had an enormous impact on GeoQuest over the last two years, so to finally be here and ready to race feels pretty amazing.

“There’s definitely some emotion around this being the final GeoQuest in the format we’ve known for more than two decades. It’s the end of an era, but we’re also really excited about what comes next.

“Before then, we’ve got one more proper GeoQuest to race, and I think this course is a fitting way to finish this chapter.”

A Classic GeoQuest Course

Teams will not see the complete course until maps are released immediately before the race, but competitors can expect a classic mix of GeoQuest terrain.

White water kayaking will provide one of the early highlights, while the mountain bike stages combine fast rolling gravel and some fantastic MTB trails with several significant climbs.

A long trekking stages will test navigation and endurance before every team faces one final GeoQuest tradition… a mandatory beach trek on the journey back towards the finish.

As always, there are two course options. Full Course teams will tackle the complete challenge, while Geo-Half teams race a shorter course but retain the full 48-hour time limit.

Teams race continuously through day and night, navigating between checkpoints and transitioning between trekking, mountain biking and kayaking.

Part of the Adventure Racing World Series

Mountain Designs GeoQuest is part of the Adventure Racing World Series Oceania Series, with teams earning points towards the regional and global ARWS rankings.

The event continues a long association between GeoQuest and Mountain Designs, which stretches back to the very first edition of the race in 2002.

Wild&Co is also pleased to have the support of On Track Meals and Spuirt for this year’s event.

Race Weekend

Mountain Designs GeoQuest takes place from 25–28 September 2026, with Race HQ at Forster Surf Club.

Friends, family and adventure racing fans around Australia will be able to follow teams throughout the weekend via live satellite tracking, with updates, photos and video published through Wild&Co during the race.

For more information and live tracking visit www.wldnco.com/live

Event: Mountain Designs GeoQuest 48hr Adventure Race
Dates: 25–28 September 2026
Location: Forster, NSW
Race HQ: Forster Surf Club
Format: 48-hour Full Course and Geo-Half
Disciplines: Trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and navigation
Part of the Adventure Racing World Series Oceania

GeoQuest 2026 Information Kit

Just over one week to go...make sure you're properly equipped and ready to go!

With just over one week to go the event is shaping up to be an exciting one. The course is set, we're setting up HQ, placing CPs and packing the race packs. This email contains a few important reminders so please read carefully!

 

Important Documents

It's essential that you carefully read the information pack (click the image above or the link below) which includes all the important information you need, including the mandatory gear list. If you have questions please ask.

• Information Pack

• Mandatory Equipment

What a great day of racing at Explore Brisbane 2026!

Teams started with a fast navigation leg around Redland Bay before heading onto the bay for the kayak. The tide wasn’t exactly ideal, which meant some mudflats to negotiate along the way, but that’s adventure racing — teams toughened it out, got through it and kept racing.

From there it was onto the bikes and some fantastic mountain biking through Bayview. The Half Course tackled a 10km MTB leg, while the Full Course had up to 20km of riding with four bonus controls available for teams wanting to take on the extra trails.

At the front, the racing was fast and ultimately came down to a combination of speed and good navigation.

Full Course
1st — Out There Wandering GOAT — 2:11:55
2nd — Out There Wandering — 2:15:40
3rd — No Fear — 2:23:29

Half Course
1st — Two Piece — 1:47:08
2nd — Turn left right now — 1:50:09
3rd — Winning Weener’s — 2:35:10

One of the best parts of the day, though, was the number of first-time racers and family teams taking on the course.

Happy Feet were awesome, finishing fifth outright on the Full Course and winning the Junior category, while junior team Two Piece took the Half Course outright win. Seeing kids racing alongside parents and getting properly stuck into the navigation, paddling and mountain biking was a real highlight of the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who raced, volunteered and supported the event. It was a proper day of adventure racing and a great way to wrap up Explore Brisbane.

Next up → Explore Shoalhaven, 7 November.

VIEW RESULTS HERE
ENTER EXPLORE SHOALHAVEN HERE

Explore Brisbane 2026 Information Kit Is Live

The Explore Brisbane 2026 Information Kit is now available, with everything teams need to know ahead of race day this Saturday, 5 September.

The kit includes the event program and timings, Race HQ and parking information, course and transition logistics, mandatory equipment, kayaking information and important safety details.

Race HQ is at Point Talburpin Park, Redland Bay, with teams heading out for six hours of kayaking, trail running, mountain biking and navigation.

If you’re racing, please make sure you read through the Information Kit before Saturday.

Download the Explore Brisbane Information Kit → https://drive.google.com/open?id=1k2ValIuRTINpPJ-NS6ENekyD43BQRz0S&usp=drive_fs

There’s still time to join us this Saturday.

Enter Explore Brisbane →
Explore Brisbane 2026

Glassy Water, Fast Trails & Smart Racing on the Gold Coast

Wondering Dingoes claiming the win!

What an awesome day of adventure racing on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

After all the rain, Currumbin Creek turned on a beautiful morning — glassy water, great paddling and a course that mixed an urban trek around Currumbin, some fun and fast MTB trails and plenty of navigation decisions along the way.

It was a new sequence for Explore Gold Coast, mixing some classic checkpoints with plenty of new ones too.

There were bonus checkpoints to chase, route choices to make and even the option of a quick swim across the creek to save around a kilometre of running.

And despite the kayak leg having plenty of optional bonus checkpoints, pretty much everyone decided to do the whole thing anyway, even the Half Course teams — because the creek was just too good.

Congratulations to Wondering Dingoes, taking the overall win on the Full Course, and Adventure Before Ability, our Half Course winners.

It was an intimate field and a really fun day of racing.

Adventure racing isn't always about being the fastest. Sometimes it's about being the fastest in the right direction.

Thanks to everyone who came along and raced with us.

Results and course notes → wldnco.com/live

Next up for the Explore series → Explore Brisbane, 5 September.

wldnco.com/explore-series/explore-adventure-race-brisbane-2026

Explore Gold Coast Information Kit Is Live (again)

We’re finally racing this Saturday!

The 2026 Explore Gold Coast Information Kit is now live with everything you need for race day, including timings, location details, equipment requirements and important event information.

If you’re racing, make sure you read it before Saturday.

Not racing the Gold Coast? Have a look anyway and see what an Explore Adventure Race is all about.

And if you missed this one, Explore Brisbane is coming up on 5 September.

Gold Coast Information Kit → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HEThHEiA1r-oTAHj75M0S467El3EURbJ/view?usp=sharing

Explore Brisbane → www.wldnco.com/explore-series/explore-adventure-race-brisbane-2026

#AdventureRacing #AdventureRace #TrailRunning #MountainBiking #Brisbane

Buckley’s 24 Location Announcement: Eildon, Victoria!

Photo by Arthur Hinton on Unsplash

Buckley’s 24 is heading to the Victorian High Country.

For 2026, we’ll be basing the race in Eildon, Victoria, giving us access to a huge adventure racing playground of mountains, waterways, State Forest, eucalypt bushland and some great mountain biking.

We’re excited to announce that the race will start and finish right in Eildon township, making race logistics easy and putting teams close to plenty of accommodation and facilities.

And the terrain around Eildon is made for adventure racing.

Expect a proper mix of paddling, mountain biking, trekking and navigation across some fantastic High Country terrain. There are extensive areas of forest, big ridgelines and valleys, plenty of tracks and trails, and some excellent opportunities for genuine navigation and route choice.

The waterways around Eildon give us some great paddling options, while the local mountain bike park will definitely feature somewhere in the race. And with a landscape surrounded by mountains, there are a peak or two that are far too tempting to ignore.

The surrounding bush ranges from dry, open eucalypt forest through to denser foothill and mountain forest, giving the course plenty of variety as teams move through the different sections of the race.

We won’t be giving too much more away about the course just yet — this is adventure racing after all — but expect a big, varied and very Australian 24-hour course with plenty of fun sections, some challenging navigation and a few memorable places along the way.

For Buckley’s Half, we’re aiming to make it a more genuine half-course in 2026, with the leading teams expected to be racing through well after dark. It’ll still be the more achievable option, but with enough racing to make it a proper adventure in its own right.

Buckley’s is all about a big, fun 24-hour adventure race: enough navigation and route choice to keep experienced teams thinking, but an achievable course for teams stepping up to their first 24-hour event.

Early Bird entries close 31 August, so now is the time to get your team together and lock it in.

Event Details

Date: 5–6 December 2026
Location: Eildon, Victoria
Duration: 24 Hour + Half Course
Team Size: 2 Person, 4 Person

Enter Now

See you in Eildon!

Mountain Designs Hells Bells Delivers a Wild Sunshine Coast Adventure

The 2026 Mountain Designs Hells Bells Adventure Race delivered one of the most spectacular editions of the race yet, with teams racing through more than 120 kilometres of ocean, coastline, mountain bike trails, bush navigation and the Maroochy River across the Sunshine Coast.

Starting from Mudjimba on Saturday morning, Hells Bells teams were immediately thrown into an optional ocean kayak leg around Old Woman Island, with a three-hour time credit on offer for teams willing to take it on.

And plenty did.

Conditions were challenging enough to make the paddle a genuine adventure. Getting off Mudjimba Beach was only half the battle, with some impressive skills — and perhaps a little luck — required to get the kayaks safely back onto the beach again.

It proved a spectacular way to start 24 hours of racing and was also the first Hells Bells where teams brought their own kayaks. It was a fun experiment and something Wild&Co is keen to hear more feedback about — would teams like to see more BYO kayak legs in future races?

From the ocean, teams headed north on foot along an incredible 10km coastal leg towards Coolum, using beaches, local paths and the coastline before reaching their bikes.

The beach trekking and coasteering was a highlight, with teams rock-hopping their way around the spectacular Coolum coastline and getting through at just about the right time before the incoming tide made things considerably more interesting.

From Coolum the race changed character completely.

Hells Bells teams faced a 60km mountain bike leg through Coolum, Eumundi, North Arm and Yandina before reaching Parklands, where the real navigational challenge began.

The 12km Parklands trekking and navigation leg gave teams nine checkpoints to choose from, with six required and each additional checkpoint worth a one-hour time credit.

It was here that good navigation really began to separate the field. Route choice, accuracy and knowing when to keep hunting — or when to cut your losses and move on — became every bit as important as outright speed.

That decision-making was echoed by Fairy Bells winners Wild Hearts & Dirty Boots, who described adventure racing as being “as much about making smart decisions as it is about going hard” after choosing which bonus checkpoints were worth chasing.

Fairy Bells took teams on its own substantial adventure of around 80–90km, sharing the Coolum coastline, Parklands navigation and Maroochy River sections with the full race. The Fairy Bells Parklands leg required at least four of nine checkpoints, with additional checkpoints again earning one-hour credits.

For many teams, one of the most memorable parts of the weekend came much later.

After returning from Parklands via Bli Bli, teams launched onto the Maroochy River for an 8km kayak around the river mouth.

For those arriving in the early hours, it was sublime.

Competitor Sonny Kemp described starting the paddle beneath “a magical starlit sky and crescent moon”, before spectacular pre-sunrise colours reflected across the glassy river and the sun appeared as teams approached the landing.

Fairy Bells racer Stacey Mulcahy Shaw described the river as “alive”, with stingrays and fish beneath the kayaks, prawns jumping from the water and wildlife appearing throughout the night.

It was exactly the sort of experience Hells Bells is designed to create.

Not Known Takes Hells Bells Victory

At the front of the full Hells Bells field, Not Known took the overall victory and Premier Mixed category win.

Primal finished second overall and first Male team, with Chatter with a Chick taking third overall and second Premier Mixed. Capital AR followed in fourth, while Mountain Designs Wild Women produced another strong performance to finish fifth overall and take the Female category victory.

The quality of the field was reflected by seventh-time Hells Bells racer Trent Raddatz, whose Chatter with a Chick team finished third overall. He described the race as another “world class event showcasing some of the best spots on the Sunshine Coast.”

Team Not Known

Scrambled Legs Wins Fairy Bells

In Fairy Bells, Scrambled Legs took the overall victory and Male category, ahead of Mind the Gap, who won the Mixed category.

The Sheep Whisperers & Their Chaperone finished third overall, while Wild Hearts Dirty Boots were the first Female team and ninth overall.

For many competitors, however, simply reaching the finish line was the biggest result of the weekend.

Balance MTB Skills Coaching shared the story of a stick going through four spokes and snapping a tubeless valve at around 11pm. After managing to repair the bike, father and son continued through the night and achieved their goal of finishing their first adventure race together.

“I genuinely (and surprisingly) had a great time doing Hells Bells,” they wrote afterwards.

That mixture of problem solving, persistence and shared adventure is exactly what makes the event what it is.

As Fairy Bells winner Stacey Mulcahy Shaw put it:

“Another adventure in the books. Sore, scratched up, sleep deprived... and pretty bloody pleased.”

Legs are scrambled

Thanks To Mountain Designs

A huge thank you to Mountain Designs for continuing to support Hells Bells and adventure racing in Australia.

Mountain Designs has been part of this event for many years, and their support helps us continue creating challenging, memorable races that take teams into some incredible parts of the Australian landscape.

We also want to thank every volunteer, official, photographer, safety crew member, land manager, community member and supporter who helped make the weekend happen.

And most importantly, thank you to every team that turned up and threw themselves into the adventure.

On Track Meals Joins The Adventure

We were also stoked to welcome On Track Meals to Hells Bells for the first time.

Teams had the opportunity to try their Australian-made adventure meals at registration. Unlike traditional freeze-dried meals, On Track Meals are fresh, ready-to-heat meals with a three-year shelf life — making them a particularly interesting option for adventure racing, bikepacking, camping and expeditions.

Hells Bells competitors can check out the range at:

https://www.ontrackmeals.com

Use discount code WILD&CO when ordering.

Thanks to On Track Meals for supporting the event and feeding some hungry adventure racers. We’re looking forward to having them involved with Wild&Co for the remainder of 2026.

For Wild&Co, Hells Bells once again demonstrated what makes adventure racing special: not simply covering kilometres, but discovering places, solving problems, making decisions when tired and sharing experiences that are difficult to replicate anywhere else.

Ocean paddling, rock hopping, mountain biking, difficult navigation, wildlife encounters and a sunrise paddle on the Maroochy River.

That was Hells Bells 2026.

What’s Your Next Adventure?

If Hells Bells has you wondering what’s next, there’s plenty more adventure racing ahead.

Step up to another Wild&Co 24-hour race and take on a completely different course, landscape and challenge — with GeoQuest, Top Dog 24, Buckley’s 24 and Terra Nova 24 all ahead on the calendar.

Or, if you’re new to adventure racing — or know someone who should give it a crack — our Explore Adventure Race Series is the perfect place to start. Six hours of trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and navigation, raced in pairs and designed to be achievable for first-timers while still giving experienced teams a proper race.

Explore the full Wild&Co event calendar and choose your next adventure:

www.wldnco.com

Hells Bells / Fairy Bells 2026 Bike Drop

You will need to drop your mountain bikes AND Box A at a point on the course prior to the race. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to do this.

It is approximately 10–12km and a 10–15 minute drive from the bike drop to Race HQ, and you need to have completed the bike drop before race briefing. DON’T FORGET!

If it is easier for your team, one team member can drop all of the team’s bikes and Box A.

The bike drop will be open to receive bikes between 0700–1000 ONLY. You must drop your bikes between these times. Not earlier, not later.

The area is quite small, so please be patient and follow the instructions from event officials.

Bike Drop Location:

Jack Morgan Park
Park St
Coolum Beach

Google Maps Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wrm86nZHK9uX9pBh9

Ocean Kayak – It’s On!

We’ve been watching the conditions all day and the ocean kayak is on!

Conditions are looking pretty good. There will be a little chop on the water and a few decent waves on the launch and landing, but we’re confident that if you’re comfortable being in the ocean, it’s a pretty good day to have a go.

Ocean Kayak – Helmet Is Mandatory

Please note that a helmet is mandatory for the ocean kayak leg.

This can be your bike helmet, so DON’T LEAVE IT WITH YOUR BIKES AT THE BIKE DROP!

Parkrun

There is a parkrun at Race HQ at 7am. They should be all clear by the time registration opens at 8am, but maybe don’t race to get here!

Live Tracking!

The live tracking site is almost...live!

Click through to the link below and share it with your family and friends:

Live Tracking:
www.wldnco.com/live

The 2026 Hells Bells 24 Information Kit is now live!

Everything you need to know before race weekend is now available, including course overview, schedules, mandatory gear, logistics, maps and Race HQ information.

Download the Information Kit here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1r338Vut7PxBr_B5j3RQ4hVHxYKEVhJay&usp=drive_fs

We'll be sharing more race updates throughout the week, so keep an eye on your inbox and our social channels. We can't wait to see everyone on the start line.

HELLS BELLS 2026 PREVIEW → An Ocean Start, Hills & Plenty of Adventure

Plan B kayak at Hells Bells 2024 – let’s hope conditions allow for an epic ocean journey in 2026!

With 80+ teams already signed up, Hells Bells is shaping up for another big year on the Sunshine Coast.

And this year, we’re planning something a little different.

AN OCEAN START

Conditions permitting, Hells Bells will begin on the ocean.

There’s an island sitting just offshore that we’ve been looking at for years, waiting for the right race and the right opportunity to include it. This year, we’re hoping to finally make it happen.

Of course, the ocean will have the final say. We’ll make the call based on conditions closer to race day, but if everything lines up, expect a memorable start to 24 hours of racing.

WHAT TO EXPECT

From there, expect a proper Hells Bells course.

There’s a long bike leg with plenty of hills, some fantastic and challenging navigation, and a mix of familiar Hells Bells country and plenty of new trails.

Being based on the coast means there will be some urban travel along the way, but don't mistake that for an easy race. You’ll get wet. You’ll get muddy. And there’s plenty of proper adventure packed into the course.

You can expect fantastic paddling through the turquoise waterways surrounding Race HQ, some world-class mountain bike trails, and even a few opportunities to stop at a cafe along the way if you’re racing with the right priorities.

We’ve also found some excellent coastal trekking and coasteering that will give GeoQuest and Terra Nova down south a run for their money.

All up, it’s shaping up as a varied, challenging and very Sunshine Coast edition of Hells Bells.

CONDITIONS ARE LOOKING GOOD

The early weather predictions are currently looking very good for race weekend.

That said, it’s August and the Sunshine Coast can still bite. If the westerlies kick in, particularly for a late-race paddle, expect it to get cold. Come prepared.

INFORMATION KIT DROPS THIS WEEKEND

The full Hells Bells Information Kit will be released over the weekend with all the gory details you need to get ready for race day.

And if you’ve been thinking about racing but haven’t entered yet, now is the time.

80+ teams are already in. Come and join them for 24 hours of adventure on the Sunshine Coast.

ENTER HELLS BELLS 24 →

Explore Gold Coast Postponed Due to Trail Conditions

After monitoring the weather and inspecting conditions, we've made the difficult decision to postpone this weekend's Explore Gold Coast.

Although the rain is expected to ease, the mountain bike trails have already received significant rainfall and are simply too wet to use responsibly.

Our priority is always to deliver a safe, enjoyable adventure race, but we also have a responsibility to protect the trails and respect the incredible work of the local trail builders and volunteers who have created and maintained them. Sending more than 100 riders across these trails in their current condition would cause unnecessary damage, and that's not something we're prepared to do.

The overnight rain has also left Currumbin Creek heavily discoloured following the recent rainfall, meaning conditions are well below the standard we want competitors to experience.

We're now working on a new date in mid-August and will confirm it in the coming days.

What This Means for Your Entry

All entries will automatically transfer to the new date.

If the new date doesn't suit your team, you'll be able to:

• Transfer to another Explore event.

• Receive a full event credit for future use.

Our Commitment

The course is ready. Maps are printed. Race packs are packed.

We simply need conditions that allow us to deliver the kind of adventure race that Explore Gold Coast deserves.

We know this is disappointing, especially after all the training and preparation you've put in, but postponing now means we can deliver a far better experience in a few weeks' time while also protecting the local trail network.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

We'll announce the new date as soon as it's confirmed and look forward to seeing everyone on the start line in August.

Explore Gold Coast 2026 Information Kit

INFO KIT: Important Documents

It's essential that you carefully read the information pack (click the image above or the link below) which includes all the important information you need, including the mandatory gear list. If you have questions please ask.

• Information Pack
• Mandatory Equipment

Volunteers Needed

We'd love a little extra help on the weekend, it's not hard, and heaps of fun. Best of all, if you volunteer we'll give you free entry to a similar event. Please email Chris at hello@wldnco.com if you can. Much appreciated!

TOP DOG 24 LOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT: GOOGONG!

After three years based out of Stromlo, Top Dog 24 is heading east.

In 2026, headquarters moves to Googong, opening the door to an entirely new playground of lakes, rivers, forests, ridgelines and intricate navigation.

For competitors, it means easy access from Canberra, the South Coast and Sydney, plenty of accommodation options, straightforward logistics, and more time spent racing and less time travelling.

For us, it unlocks huge new areas packed with route choice. It gives us access to lakes, forests, ridgelines and remote bushland, allowing us to create a course with genuine navigation challenges across every discipline. Expect fast trails, technical route choices and the kind of decision-making that can make or break your race.

We'll keep the exact course under wraps for now, but the region gives us access to some incredible landscapes, including the Molonglo corridor, the waters of Lake Googong, and an extensive network of forestry roads, management trails and bush tracks.

Top Dog 24 has always been about finding that sweet spot between serious adventure racing and a great weekend away with your mates. Googong delivers both.

Whether you're chasing a podium, tackling your first 24-hour race, or simply looking for an epic weekend of adventure, we think you're going to love what we've found.

Early Bird entries close on 30 June, so now's the time to lock in your team and start planning.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: 10-11 October 2026
Location: Canberra, ACT, Australia
Duration: 24 hour event
Team size: 2 person, 4 person

See you in the Googong!

IMPORTANT: GEOQUEST 2026 POSTPONED – WEATHER UPDATE

After extensive consultation with Forestry, National Parks, Emergency Services and our core logistics team, we have made the difficult decision to postpone GeoQuest 2026.

Over the past 24 hours, the region has received significant additional rainfall on top of what has already been an exceptionally wet year. The river is currently at flood level and conditions throughout the course area have deteriorated further.

During recent course inspections, we encountered access issues across many trails and roads, although these were still considered manageable at the time. Since then, continued heavy rainfall has further impacted the course area and significantly reduced our confidence in both course access and emergency response capability.

During our most recent river inspections, conditions and hazards were assessed and considered manageable. However, overnight flash flooding means river conditions may now have changed substantially.

While adventure racing often involves challenging conditions, our primary concern is ensuring appropriate emergency access and response capability across the entire course area. Based on current conditions, and even assuming a period of improved weather, we are not confident that emergency access throughout significant parts of the course can be maintained to the standard required for an event of this scale.

With further rainfall forecast in the coming days, we do not believe we can deliver the safe, high-quality GeoQuest experience that teams expect and deserve.

We wanted to make this decision as early as possible to give teams and volunteers the maximum opportunity to adjust their plans. While conditions may improve, we do not believe there is currently a realistic pathway to delivering the event to the standard teams expect and deserve.

We are currently exploring alternative dates and formats and will provide a further update as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience while we work through those details.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of GeoQuest and the adventure racing community.