Washpool World Heritage Trails

22-23 March 2025

Events

Overview

The Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks are part of the World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia which contain the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world.

The area encompasses some of the most diverse and least disturbed forested country in NSW with granite boulders, expansive rainforests, clear waters and magnificent scenery over wilderness forests.

Event Location: Mulligans Hut in Gibraltar Range National Park, NSW, 2370 (Google Maps).

Event Schedule

Friday 21st March 2025 – Optional

2:00pm onwards – optional free camping opens at walk-in undesignated sites at Mulligans Campground Group Site

Saturday 22nd March 2025 

8:00am to 8:45am – Bib collection and mandatory gear check for 50km Ultra at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

9:00am – Start of 50km Ultra (briefing at 8:50am)

10:30am – 50km course cut off at 9km aid station (1.5 hours)

11:15am – 50km course cut off at 13.5km aid station (2 hours 15 minutes)

3:00pm – 50km course cut off at 35km aid station (6 hours)

4:45pm – 50km course cut off at 44km aid station (7 hours 45 minutes)

6:00pm – 50km course closure (9 hours total)

4:00pm to 6:00pm – optional bib collection for 25km and 9km at Mulligans Campground

Sunday 23rd March 2025

8:00am to 9:45am – Bib collection for 25km and 9km at Mulligans Campground

9:00am – Start of 25km (briefing at 8:50am)

10:00am – Start of 9km (briefing at 9:50am)

2:00pm – 25km course closure (5 hours total) 

Camping & Accommodation

Camping is optional and located at:

  • No booking required. Free undesignated walk-in sites at Mulligans Campground Group Site (recommended) at the start/finish area with separate male and female cold showers and flush toilet, BBQ facilities and a great swimming hole.    
  • BOOKED OUT! 20 Designated sites at Mulligans Campground (recommended) at the start/finish area with separate male and female cold showers and flush toilets, BBQ facilities and a great swimming hole. 
  • BOOKED OUT! 17 Designated sites at Bellbird Campground in Washpool National Park (30 minute drive) with toilets, picnic tables and BBQ facilities.
  • BOOKED OUT! 3 Designated sites at Coombadjha Campground in Washpool National Park (30 minute drive) with toilets, picnic tables and BBQ facilities. 
  • BOOKED OUT! 8 Designated sites at Boundary Falls Campground in Gibraltar Range National Park (30 minute drive) with toilets, picnic tables and BBQ facilities.

All designated sites must be booked through NPWS website which is open for bookings from 24 September 2024.

The closest alternate accommodation can be found at Glen Innes or the Mann River Caravan Park (both approximately 1 hour drive)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have an Event Guide?

Yes. An updated 2025 Event Guide will be sent out to all registered runners and posted on our website prior to the event

2024 Washpool World Heritage Trails Event Guide (for reference purposes only) 

Do have you medals?

No. For 2025, all finishers will receive a Washpool ‘buff’ headwear which is worth a much greater value than a medal.

What are the prizes?

Top 3 male and female in each distance will receive an engraved Washpool glass.

Presentations will occur after the first three men and women finish in each distance.

Age groups calculated on day of the event include under 18, 18-34, 35-44, 45-55, 55+

Can I get a refund, defer, change my distance or transfer my entry to another runner? 

We do not allow refunds. Deferrals to the 2026 event and changing down distances are allowed without charge. Transfers to another runner, transfers off waitlist into event or changing up distances incur a $2 additional fee.

Please contact admin@coffstrailrunners.com first for any of the above.

Our Green Commitment

The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) Green Charter seeks to encourage the trail running community to join forces, working together to reduce the environmental impact of our sport. It lists practical steps events can take to be more eco-responsible.

Coffs Trail Runners are proud to support and align to the ITRA Green Charter. Steps we are taking to reduce our environmental footprint are here: Coffs Trail Runners x ITRA Green Charter

Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks are part of the World Heritage Listed ‘Gondwana Rainforests of Australia’ and part of the Australian National Heritage List.

The parks encompass some of the most diverse and least disturbed forested country in NSW with stunning landscapes of granite boulders, expansive rainforests, tall trees, steep gorges, clear waters and magnificent scenery over wilderness forests.

We ask that runners during the event or training:

  • Do not disturb wildlife
  • Stay on existing track to avoid soil erosion
  • Do not intentionally litter or you will be automatically disqualified
  • Be eco-responsible where possible 

'Trail Sisters' Approved

Trail Sisters support, enhance, and equalize women’s experience in trail racing. By implementing these standards race events commit to a welcoming experience for women participants. This will help to increase women’s participation in trail (and ultra) events as well as provide awareness of the needs, expectations, and support, female runners’ desire.

Coffs Trail Runners is proud to align to the Trail Sisters Approved Standards in all our races in the following ways:

1. Equal Podiums & Awards: We offer equal number of podium spots and awards amongst men & women participants in all our races
2. Women’s Specific Apparel & Swag: We offer women’s fit and sizing option for all our race shirts.
3. Menstrual Products at Aid Stations: All our manned Checkpoints at every race will have menstrual products (tampons & pads) available.
4. Women on the Starting Line: Women are invited to be at the front of the starting line and through equal media coverage to create an equitable experience for both the participants and the audience.
5. Pregnancy & Postpartum Policy: We offer a deferral for all runners for all our races which covers this, regardless of their circumstances (pregnancy, injury etc).

50km Ultra

Key Information

The 50km Ultra starts at the historic Mulligans Hut and mostly follows the diverse Gibraltar-Washpool World Heritage Walk in an anti-clockwise loop.

The 50km Ultra course will take you through a variety of stunning landscapes including iconic Tree Fern Forest Walk and beautiful singletracks along Coombadjha Creek in Washpool National Park.

Entry fee for the 50km Ultra: $50

Minimum age on race day: 18 years

Age categories: 18-34 years, 35-54 years, 55+ years

Course cut off at 9km aid station: 1.5 hours (10:30am)

Course cut off at 35km aid station: 6 hours (3:00pm)

Total course cut off: 9 hours (6:00pm)

Total ascent & descent: 1,250m

2 ITRA Points and part of the ITRA National League

Six Foot Track Qualifying Time: Under 7 hours 40 minutes

Female 50km Ultra Record: Hannah McRae 4:40:18 (2017)

Male 50km Ultra Record: Daniel Stein 3:46:45 (2024)

Aid Stations & Drop Bags

All aid stations will be stocked with water, coca-cola, ginger beer (non-alcoholic), Trail Brew (neutral), lollies, chips, bananas and watermelon:

  • 9km – Gwydir Highway eastern crossing (southern side). Course cut off at 9km aid station: 1.5 hours (10:30am)
  • 13.5km – Coombadjha Campground (now an aid station for 2025!). Course cut off at 13.5km aid station: 2 hours 15 minutes (11:15am)

  • 35km – Gwydir Highway western crossing (northern side). Course cut off at 35km aid station: 6 hours (3:00pm)

  • 44km – Mulligan Drive crossing (western side). Course cut off at 44km aid station: 7 hours 45 minutes (4:45pm)

Please note that for environmental reasons we are a ‘cupless’ event and there will be no disposable drink cups available at aid stations.

Drop bags are optional and arrange on race day only at bib collection at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground.

Drop bags cannot be bigger than a Woolworths Chiller Shopping Bag and must be clearly labelled with your name and bib number.

Drop bags locations:

  • 9km – Gwydir Highway eastern crossing
  • 35km – Gwydir Highway western crossing (same drop bag as at 9km)

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory Gear will be checked at bib collection and must be carried at all times in the race:

  • Water bottles or hydration bladder with capacity to carry 1 litre of fluid

  • 500 calories of emergency food (e.g. 4 x muesli bars) that you do not intend to consume

  • Fully charged mobile phone that is switched on with Emergency Plus App downloaded and Capra App downloaded with 50km Ultra course saved offline

  • Snake bandage (minimum dimensions 7.5cm wide x 2.3m long unstretched)

  • Space blanket or light bivvy bag

  • Emergency whistle

  • Zip-lock bag for rubbish
  • Collapsible soft cup 150ml (recommended but not mandatory. This is a cup free event) 

The following mandatory gear items are wet weather dependant. Participants will be advised by email at least 3 days prior to the event if required.

  • Warm headwear (Buff / Beanie / Balaclava) 

  • Waterproof and breathable jacket with fully taped seams and hood

Any runner not carrying the required mandatory gear will be penalised by time or disqualification. Random mandatory gear checks may also occur upon finishing.

50km Ultra Schedule

Friday 21st March 2025 – optional

2:00pm onwards – optional free camping opens at walk-in undesignated sites at Mulligans Campground Group Site

Saturday 22nd March 2025 

8:00am to 8:45am – Bib collection and mandatory gear check for 50km Ultra at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

9:00am – Start of 50km (briefing at 8:50am)

10:30am – 50km course cut off at 9km aid station (1.5 hours)

11:15am – 50km course cut off at 13.5km aid station (2 hours 15 minutes)

3:00pm – 50km course cut off at 35km aid station (6 hours)

4:45pm – 50km course cut off at 44km aid station (7 hours 45 minutes)

6:00pm – 50km course closure (9 hours total)

6:58am – Sunset

25km 

Key Information

The 25km course starts at the historic Mulligans Hut and follows the Little Dandahra Creek trail to Mulligans Drive.

Runners go straight at the Mulligans Drive crossing onto Surveyors Creek Track  and the World Heritage Walk. You then do an anti-clockwise loop, passing the turnoff to Dandahra Crags on the way back to Mulligans Drive.

Runners then run back on the same Little Dandahra Creek trail before turning left over a small bridge and completing the 9km course following the iconic Tree Fern Forest Walk in a clockwise direction.

Entry fee for the 25km: $25

Minimum age on race day: 14 years

Age categories: 14-34 years, 35-54 years, 55+ years

Total course cut off: 5 hours (2:00pm)

Total ascent & descent: 470m

1 ITRA Point and part of the ITRA National League

Female 25km Race Record: Clare Palmer 1:58:19 (2016)

Male 25km Race Record: Kayden Elliott 1:44:10 (2024)

Aid Stations

All aid stations will be stocked with water, ginger beer (non-alcoholic), Trail Brew (neutral), lollies, chips, bananas and watermelon:

  • 6.6km – Mulligan Drive crossing (western side)
  • 14km – Mulligan Drive crossing (western side)

Please note that for environmental reasons we are a ‘cupless’ event and there will be no disposable drink cups available at aid stations.

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory Gear will be checked at bib collection and must be carried at all times in the race:

  • Water bottles or hydration bladder with capacity to carry 1 litre of fluid
  • 250 calories of emergency food (e.g. 2 x muesli bars) that you do not intend to consume
  • Fully charged mobile phone that is switched on with Emergency Plus App downloaded and Capra App downloaded with 25km course saved offline
  • Snake bandage 
  • Space blanket or light bivvy bag
  • Emergency whistle
  • Zip-lock bag for rubbish
  • Collapsible soft cup 150ml (recommended but not mandatory. This is a cup free event) 

The following mandatory gear items are wet weather dependant. Participants will be advised by email at least 3 days prior to the event if required.

  • Warm headwear (Buff / Beanie / Balaclava) 

  • Waterproof and breathable jacket with fully taped seams and hood

Any runner not carrying the required mandatory gear will be penalised by time or disqualification. Random mandatory gear checks may also occur upon finishing.

25km Schedule

Friday 21st March 2025 – optional

2:00pm onwards – optional free camping opens at walk-in undesignated sites at Mulligans Campground Group Site

Saturday 22nd March 2025 – optional

4:00pm to 6:00pm – optional bib collection and mandatory gear check for 25km at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

Sunday 23rd March 2025

8:00am to 8:45am – Bib collection and mandatory gear check for 25km at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

9:00am – Start of 25km (briefing at 8:50am)

2:00pm – 25km course closure (5 hours total) 

9km 

Key Information

The 9km is a looped course starting at the historic Mulligans Hut and following the iconic Tree Fern Forest Walk through rocky outcrops, spectacular cascades, ferny understorey and verdant rainforest.

Hikers are permitted to enter the 9km.

Entry fee for 9km: $10

Minimum age on race day: 12 years

Age categories: 12-34 years, 35-54 years, 55+ years

Total ascent & descent: 240m

Female 9km Record: Katie Porra 46:52 (2017)

Male 9km Record: Keelan Birch 40:17 (2021)

Aid Stations

There are no aid stations on the 9km course.

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory Gear will be checked at bib collection and must be carried at all times in the race:

  • Fully charged mobile phone that is switched on with Emergency Plus App downloaded and Capra App downloaded with 9km course saved offline
  • Snake bandage 

Any runner not carrying the required mandatory gear will be penalised by time or disqualification. Random mandatory gear checks may also occur upon finishing.

9km Schedule

Friday 21st March 2025 – optional

2:00pm onwards – optional free camping opens at walk-in undesignated sites at Mulligans Campground Group Site

Saturday 22nd March 2025 – optional

4:00pm to 6:00pm – optional bib collection and mandatory gear check for 9km at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

Sunday 23rd March 2025

8:00am to 9:45am – Bib collection and mandatory gear check at the picnic shelter at Mulligans Campground

10:00am – Start of 9km (briefing at 9:50am)

2:00pm – 9km course closure (4 hours total)