The CH50 Course
it's good. real good.
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The Wild Earth Coastal High 50 is an epic event located in the iconic and spectacularly picturesque Gold Coast Hinterland. Running on trails contained within the pristine Lamington and Springbrook National Parks, the Wild Earth Coastal High 50 includes the best trails that South-East Queensland has to offer.
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The Wild Earth Coastal High 50 sees runners traverse spectacular trails through sub-tropical rainforest, open forest, and along cliff tops within Lamington National Park, before descending down into the Numinbah Valley and then climbing up (then down, then up!) to finish adjacent to the magnificent Purlingbrook Falls in Springbrook National Park.
The course has changed over the years and for 2026; we expect the course to revert to its traditional course; with the 50k commencing with a similar start to recent years with the Daves Ck and Shipsterns Circuit and then returning to Bibba Burra and taking on the technical but spectacular Caves Circuit (pending QPWS approval), with runners re-emergig from Caves at the start location.
Runners then follow the Hinterland Great Walk route; descending into Numinbah Valley and along Nerang Murwillumbah Road to Checkpoint 2 at the Raw Challenge property. Runners then heading out to Chesters Road, turning RIGHT and up and over to Waterfall Circuit and turning RIGHT, back to the Great Walk, up the trail to Woonoongoora Campground before the famed Apple Tress Stairs. From there, its the deep dive down to Little Nerang Creek, past Waringa Pool and onwards to the base of Purlingbrook Falls! Of course from there, the only way is up to the finish at Settlement Day Use Area!
We will work with National Parks and the relevant Councils adjusting to the conditions and confirm the course in early 2026!
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With regards to Mandatory Items, it is a requirement to carry a version of the map on your person. The options to do so include:
* Loading GPX on smartwatch and storing in routes/courses for easy access
* On the MAPS.ME app (or similar) on a phone (note this app allows for offline use, necessary given the lack of service for many large sections of the Coastal High courses)
* A hard copy version
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The Stats (2025 version - 2026 TBC early 2026)
Distance
50.1km (Strava Measurement)
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Elevation
1969m Elevation
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Location
Gold Coast Hinterland
QLD, Australia
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Course Profile -
CH50 Elevation Profile
The ‘CRUNCH’ Course
a bite size challenge
The Wild Earth Coastal High Crunch has become a fan favourite for those looking to step up in distance at the iconic Wild Earth Coastal High; aimed at those making the mover from short course racing into the ultra scene - it’s also a great fallback if training hasn’t gone to plan!
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The Crunch packs a punch, it has most of the challenging elements of the Coastal High 50; including the long, quad-CRUNCHing descent to Numinbah, the iconic stairs to Apple Tree Park, the dive down to Little Nerang Creek and then the long ascent past Purlingbrook Falls to the race finish at Springbrook. But that’s not to say it isn’t spectacular; with a mix of terrain from the road start, the technical single track sections, the rainforest patches as you climb to Springbrook - this will not be the ‘easy’ option!
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The course is likely to return to original format, with uphill start to Binna Burra Lodge, onto the Caves Circuit before re-emerging at the race start location, crossing over via a short, downhill road section before taking the Great Hinterland Walk route down into the Numinbah Valley and along Nerang Murwillumbah Road to Checkpoint 2 at the Raw Challenge property. Runners then head out to Chesters Road, turning RIGHT, up and over to Waterfall Circuit and turning RIGHT, back to the Great Walk. From there, up the trail to Woonoongoora Campground before the famed Apple Tress Stairs. From there, its the deep dive down to Little Nerang Creek, past Waringa Pool and onwards to the base of Purlingbrook Falls! Of course from there, the only way is up to the finish at Settlement Day Use Area!
We will work with National Parks and the relevant Councils and confirm the courses in early 2026 - then adjusting to the conditions and keep you aware of any changes forced upon us!
With regards to Mandatory Items, it is a requirement to carry a version of the map on your person. The options to do so include:
* Loading GPX on smartwatch and storing in routes/courses for easy access
* On the MAPS.ME app on a phone (note this app allows for offline use, necessary given the lack of service for many large sections of the Coastal High courses)
* A hard copy version
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CRUNCHIN’ THE NUMBERS (2025 version - 2026 TBC early 2026)
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Distance
28km
(GPS Measurement)
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Elevation
1167m Elevation
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Location
Gold Coast Hinterland
QLD, Australia
Be aware that the race route includes running on private land within the Numinbah Valley, in particular the Raw Challenge property ( where on race day you will be heading into and out of for Check Point 2) - please do not enter private property during training for the event.
PLATINUM PARTNERS
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