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The Amazons Australia | All-Women’s Adventure Race Mission Beach

The Amazons Australia

All-Women’s Adventure Race | Mission Beach

The Amazons Australia is an all-women’s adventure race held in Mission Beach on the Cassowary Coast. It is the first ever all-female event in the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) and part of the ARWS Oceania Series.

The event brings teams of two women together for three days of racing across the tropical landscapes of Far North Queensland – trekking through rainforest, mountain biking, kayaking and navigating by map and compass.

The inaugural event was held in July 2025. The second edition takes place 5–8 July 2026.


What is The Amazons Australia?

The Amazons Australia is a 3-day stage adventure race for teams of two women. Unlike expedition-length adventure races, this is a stage event – teams race during daylight hours (up to 8 hours per day), then rest and recover overnight before the next stage.

Each day includes trekking, mountain biking and paddling, plus navigation using map and compass. Mystery challenges are revealed each race morning.

The event is designed to bring together elite adventure racers, athletes from other sports, first-time racers, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – all on the same course, all facing the same challenges.

“We already know women are tough. But now it’s time to show the world just what tough can do.”


Event Details

Event Name: The Amazons Australia

Dates: 5–8 July 2026

  • Saturday 4 July – Arrivals
  • Sunday 5 July – Registration (compulsory)
  • Monday 6 July – Race Day 1
  • Tuesday 7 July – Race Day 2
  • Wednesday 8 July – Race Day 3, Awards Dinner
  • Thursday 9 July – Recovery / Stay and Play
  • Friday 10 July – Departures

Location: Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast, Tropical North Queensland

Format: 3-day stage race, up to 8 hours of racing per day (daylight hours only, no night racing)

Disciplines: Trekking, mountain biking, kayaking/paddling, navigation by map and compass, plus mystery challenges

Team Size: Teams of 2 women

Age Requirements: Open to women aged 15+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a female aged 18+)


Categories

Legends – Two women aged 50 and over

Warriors – Two women aged 30 and over

Princesses – Two women under 30

Tribes – Two women whose ages don’t fit the other categories (mothers, daughters, sisters, friends)

Age based on 1 July 2026


Entry Fees

Entry is per team of two:

Entry TypePrice Per PersonPrice Per TeamAvailability
Early Entry$975$1,95030 November 2025 – 31 December 2025
Standard Entry$1,075$2,1501 January 2026 – 30 April 2026
Extended Entry$1,175$2,3501 May 2026 – 7 June 2026 (if not sold out)

International teams can contact the organisers for a 10% discount.

Entries are limited to 50 teams.


What’s Included in Your Entry

  • 3 days of racing on a course through tropical rainforest, beaches and islands
  • Maps and course notes on waterproof paper
  • Kayak hire (including paddles and PFDs)
  • Transport of gear and equipment during the event
  • Overnight storage of gear if required
  • GPS tracking device so friends and family can follow your progress
  • Live results and leaderboard updates
  • Professional photography (free access after the event)
  • Event merchandise and finisher memento
  • Pre-event sunset welcome function (food and beverage included)
  • Post-event awards dinner (food and beverage included)
  • Category prizes and random draws from sponsors
  • ARWS Regional Ranking Points
  • 30% discount on entry to Total Recon ARWS Oceania Event (November 2026)

Prizes:

  • Winning Team – Free entry to Total Recon ARWS Oceania Event 2026
  • Winning Team – Free entry to The Amazons Australia 2027
  • Winning Australian Team – Free entry to Spirited Women Adventure Race 2027

Event Schedule

Saturday 4 July – Arrivals Event shuttle available from Cairns (extra cost). Transport to Mission Beach and event HQ.

Sunday 5 July – Registration

  • 12:00pm – 3:00pm: Registration, photos, interviews, gear checks
  • 4:30pm: Happy Hour at sunset
  • Official welcome, ARWS CEO and guest speakers (included in entry)

Monday 6 July – Race Day 1

  • 5:30am: HQ opens
  • 6:00am: Map handout and briefing
  • 7:00am: Race start
  • 3:00pm: Race finish (8-hour cut-off)
  • 4:30pm onwards: Social drinks and dinner in town (own expense)

Tuesday 7 July – Race Day 2

  • 5:30am: HQ opens
  • 6:00am: Map handout and briefing
  • 7:00am: Race start
  • 3:00pm: Race finish (8-hour cut-off)
  • 4:30pm onwards: Social drinks and dinner in town (own expense)

Wednesday 8 July – Race Day 3

  • 6:00am: Map handout and briefing
  • 7:00am: Race start
  • 3:00pm: Race finish (8-hour cut-off)
  • 4:30pm: Optional happy hour (own expense)
  • 6:00pm: Awards dinner and guest speakers (included in entry)

Thursday 9 July – Recovery Stay and play – relax in Mission Beach, explore the Cassowary Coast

Friday 10 July – Departures

  • 7:00am: Post-event shuttle services begin (own expense)
  • 10:00am: Accommodation checkout

The Course

The exact course is revealed each race morning, but competitors can expect to traverse tropical rainforest, islands and beaches – all based out of Mission Beach.

The Cassowary Coast provides a challenging and spectacular backdrop: dense rainforest, crocodile-inhabited rivers, unpredictable tropical weather, and some of Australia’s most beautiful coastal scenery.

This is where World Heritage rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.


Who Is This Event For?

The Amazons Australia is designed for women of all experience levels:

  • Elite adventure racers looking for ARWS ranking points
  • Athletes from other endurance sports wanting to try adventure racing
  • First-time adventure racers ready to step up from one-day events
  • Mothers, daughters, sisters and friends seeking a shared challenge

The course allows experienced racers to push further, while remaining achievable for women stepping up from shorter events like the Wild Women Adventure Race.

No night racing means no sleep deprivation – you race hard during the day, then relax, recover and share stories with fellow competitors each evening.


About the Organisers

The Amazons Australia is created and organised by Kim Beckinsale and Jan Leverton from Tri Adventure, in partnership with the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS).

Tri Adventure has been running adventure events in Australia since 2012, including the Wild Women Adventure Race – Australia’s first all-women’s adventure race.

Contact:


Register

Entries open 30 November 2025.

Spaces are limited to 50 teams. Early entry is recommended.

Register here: eventplus.net/taa26

Website: amazonsaustralia.com

Instagram: @theamazonsaustralia

Facebook: The Amazons Australia


Accommodation and Transport

Mission Beach is located approximately 2 hours south of Cairns. Event shuttles are available from Cairns Airport (additional cost).

Accommodation options in Mission Beach range from backpacker hostels to beachfront resorts. Book early – July is peak dry season.

For accommodation and transport information, visit the Competitor Information page on the official website.


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need adventure racing experience? No. The event welcomes first-time adventure racers alongside elite athletes. The course is designed to challenge experienced racers while remaining achievable for newcomers.

What disciplines are involved? Trekking, mountain biking, kayaking/paddling and navigation by map and compass. Mystery challenges are revealed each day.

Is there night racing? No. Racing takes place during daylight hours only (up to 8 hours per day). You rest and recover overnight.

Do I need to bring my own kayak? No. Kayak hire (including paddles and PFDs) is included in your entry. You can bring your own if preferred.

What is the minimum age? 15 years old. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a female team member aged 18 or over.

How do I register? Entries open 30 November 2025 at eventplus.net/taa26.