Now in its second year, the event returns not just as a race, but as the proven catalyst for a global movement in endurance sports.
Following its historic, sold-out debut last year, The Amazons Australia Adventure Race is returning to the pristine wilderness of Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast from July 5 to July 8, 2026. Now in its second year, the event returns not just as a race, but as the proven catalyst for a global movement in endurance sports.
When The Amazons Australia launched in 2025, it stood completely alone as the only all-female multi-day stage race affiliated with the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) anywhere on the planet. Just one year later, the landscape of the sport has fundamentally shifted. Inspired by the Australian event's success, the ARWS global calendar now boasts three all-female events worldwide for 2026.
The Amazons Australia officially started a revolution—one that organizers believe could soon pave the way for an all-female ARWS World Championship in the near future.
Sanctioned as part of the ARWS Oceania circuit, the 2026 edition will once again see teams of two women push their physical and mental limits. Over three gruelling yet spectacular days, competitors will navigate a top-secret course utilising only a map and compass, tackling a demanding combination of mountain biking, trekking, paddling, and unexpected mystery challenges through world-heritage rainforests and tropical coastlines.
"Last year we proved that if you build a world-class, multi-day wilderness challenge specifically for women, that amazons will be unearthed," said Jan Leverton - Race Director. "To see what started right here in Queensland spark a global movement in just twelve months is incredible. We aren't just hosting a race anymore; we are shaping the future of global adventure racing."
Unlike non-stop expedition races, The Amazons Australia, features a unique stage format. Teams race hard for 6 to 8 hours during daylight before returning to a central community hub each evening to rest, recover, and share stories—fostering a powerful, supportive camaraderie.
The official course schematics and highly anticipated team lists have just been released. The 2026 field features a powerhouse cross-section of athletes across distinct categories: Princesses (under 30), Warriors (30+), Legends (50+), and Tribes (mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends).
The stakes are equally high for the elite tier, with the top-performing Australian team securing a coveted prize: free entry into the renowned Spirited Women Adventure Race in Tekapo, New Zealand, in March 2027.
The continuation and growth of this groundbreaking event has been made possible through the vital support of major event partners committed to elevating women in sport, alongside local community stakeholders on the Cassowary Coast.
The community is invited to follow the action live. With GPS tracking deployed on every team, spectators globally and locally can watch the tactical navigation unfold in real-time as these women tackle the ultimate tropical test.
For more information, to view the team lists, or to follow the live race tracking starting July 5, visit https://www.amazonsaustralia.com
