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 in 2026; the 50k commencing with a similar start to recent years with the uphill road section onto Border Track, Daves Ck and Shipsterns Circuit and then returning via Lower Bellbird to Rankins Paddock, near the start.
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 LEFT and up and over to Red Hill Break to Waterfall Circuit and turning RIGHT, back to the Great Walk, up the trail to Woonoongoora Campground before the famed Apple Tree 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!
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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 All Trails 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 (2026)
Distance
49.7km (All Trails Measurement - 50k+ in reality)
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Elevation
2096m Elevation (All Trails Measurement
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Location
Gold Coast Hinterland
QLD, Australia
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The ‘CRUNCH’ Course
a bite size challenge
PURLINGBROOK PUSH COURSE
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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 in 2026 begins with a 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 LEFT, up and over RED HILL to Waterfall Circuit and turning RIGHT, back to the Great Walk. From there, up the trail to Woonoongoora Campground before the famed Apple Tree 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!
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 ALL TRAILS 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
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Distance
28.9km (All Trails Measurement
might be a touch over 29k on day)
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Elevation
1261m Elevation (All Trails Measurement
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Location
Gold Coast Hinterland
QLD, Australia
The new addition for 2026 - this event has been introduced to support and encourage juniors, beginners and short course specialists!!
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The Push course is stunning. We begin with 1.5km cross country style running on the greenway before merging onto single track and dropping into ancient rainforest down to Little Nerang Creek! Undulating terrain awaits as you skip 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!
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 ALL TRAILS 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
​
HOW HARD YOU NEED TO PUSH
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Distance
6.9km (All Trails Measurement
might be a touch over 7k on day)
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Elevation
353m Elevation (All Trails Measurement
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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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