Trail News Round-Up: What’s Happening in Aussie & NZ Trail Running

There is plenty of trail running news this week including the exciting lead up to several major races and some much awaited new trail projects. Here’s a quick look at what’s making news around the trails in Australia and New Zealand.

Buffalo Stampede Returns to the Victorian Alps

One of Australia’s most iconic mountain ultras is almost here, with the Buffalo Stampede returning to Bright, Victoria from 27–29 March.

The event features multiple distances including the challenging 100km Bright to Buffalo ultra, which climbs to The Horn which is the highest and most iconic point on Mount Buffalo.

Australian ultra runner George Knight will be lining up for the race, and is expected to draw some serious attention from the local trail community. Knight has built a reputation for aggressive racing on technical terrain, making Buffalo’s steep alpine trails a perfect match.

The race has become a staple on the Australian trail calendar and draws local and international runners chasing big alpine elevation and the most spectacular mountain views in the country. For information on the event click here.

Kunanyi Mountain Run Kicks Off in Hobart

Trail runners are also heading to Tasmania for the Kunanyi Mountain Run, taking place 27–29 March in Hobart.

The three-day festival includes distances from short foothills runs to a 66km ultra marathon around kunanyi / Mount Wellington.

The event has quickly become one of Tasmania’s biggest trail gatherings and this year incorporates the Australian Athletics Mountain Running Championships. For information on the event click here.

UTMB’s Kosciuszko Race Set to Draw Global Field

Entries are open for the Kosciuszko by UTMB event in New South Wales, which continues to grow as one of the biggest international trail races in Australia.

The event forms part of the global UTMB World Series, attracting elite runners and recreational athletes chasing qualification points for the famous UTMB finals in Chamonix.

Races run through the alpine terrain of Kosciuszko National Park, with multiple distances available across the weekend (100M, 100km, 50k and 20k). For registration and information click here.

Old Ghost Ultra Continues to Grow in Popularity

Entries for New Zealand’s legendary Old Ghost Ultra continue to sell out quickly each year, highlighting the growing appetite for long-distance backcountry trail events in the country.

The race follows the historic Old Ghost Road on the South Island’s West Coast, taking runners through 85km of remote wilderness, alpine ridgelines and dense native forest.

For many runners, the event has become one of New Zealand’s true bucket-list ultras. For more information click here.

The Inaugural Wild Earth Unbroken Team Trail Marathon This Easter

The Wild Earth Unbroken Team Trail Marathon happens in Queensland this Easter weekend, bringing teams of runners together to tackle the Scribbly Gums trails in a loop-style event.

Unlike traditional races, Unbroken focuses heavily on team participation and community spirit, with runners sharing the distance across multiple legs.

The event is set to build a loyal following among runners looking for a more social trail experience while ticking off distance goals. For registration and information click here.

Australia Investing in New Long-Distance Trail Projects

Governments across Australia are investing heavily in new long-distance trail infrastructure, opening up more opportunities for multi-day adventures through national parks.

While these trails are primarily for hikers, many in the trail running community are already eyeing them as potential long-distance adventure runs and fastpacking routes, reflecting the growing crossover between hiking infrastructure and trail running exploration.

Recent projects include the Snowies Alpine Walk in NSW, a 56km alpine route linking historic huts and high-country landscapes in Kosciuszko National Park. In northern NSW, the Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk is a newly opened 42km multi-day walk through World Heritage rainforest near the Queensland border. Tasmania has also expanded its trail network with the Three Capes Track, a spectacular coastal route attracting walkers from around the world.

Track Maintenance and Weather Closures Affect Backcountry Routes Across New Zealand

If you’re heading to New Zealand or live and run there, recent heavy weather events have forced temporary closures and repairs across several backcountry tracks managed by the Department of Conservation.

Storm damage, slips and flooding frequently affect remote trails, reminding outdoor users how quickly conditions can change in alpine and backcountry environments. For trail runners exploring these routes, keeping an eye on DOC track updates has become an essential part of planning longer adventures.

The Trail Running Pulse

Trail running in Australia and New Zealand isn’t slowing down.

The sport is expanding into more landscapes and attracting more runners every year as races sell-out and new events pop up across the region.

That growth is exciting—but it also raises important questions about trail access, environmental impact and how we protect the places we run.

The Trail Running News Round-Up will keep following the stories shaping the future of trail running across the region.

Discussion

With more and more races selling out and new trail events appearing every year, is trail running growing faster than the trails themselves can handle? Head over to our Facebook or Instagram and let us know your thoughts.