If your 2026 health and wellness resolutions are already feeling a little… beige, then consider this your sign to level up. Instead of quietly renewing the gym membership and hoping for the best, this is the year to train towards something. Something muddy. Something mountainous. Or, simply something that leaves you sore, smiling and momentously proud of yourself. From obstacle races that feel more festival than fitness to multi-day hiking adventures that double as soul resets, Australia’s 2026 fitness calendar is shaping up to be one giant choose-your-own-challenge moment.
Tough Mudder Melbourne – Caribbean Gardens, VIC
If your idea of fitness motivation involves mud in places you didn’t know mud could reach, Tough Mudder is calling your name. Making its long-awaited return to Melbourne after six years away, this cult obstacle race lands at Caribbean Gardens on 31 January 2026 with its boldest lineup yet. Here, participants can choose between a hardcore 15K course featuring 20 obstacles. Or, alternatively, a more approachable 5K course with 12+ obstacles, or the unhinged Infinity category, where you’ve got eight hours to complete as many laps as humanly possible.
As expected, all the signature Tough Mudder madness is on show, including ice plunges and electric shocks, as well as mud pits, towering walls and obstacles designed to reward teamwork over solo heroics. Once you’ve crossed the finish line, however, the vibe shifts from survival mode to celebration, with a full festival zone complete with a bar, food trucks and live entertainment. Team waves are available too, making it perfect for mates, corporates, gyms or anyone who thrives on shared suffering.
DEKA Trifecta Weekend – Caribbean Gardens, VIC
Running alongside Tough Mudder is DEKA, the precision-driven sibling in the world of hybrid fitness racing. Created by the Spartan team, DEKA is all about measurable effort, functional strength and proving just how fit you really are – without the mud. Taking place from 31 January to 1 February 2026, the DEKA Trifecta Weekend offers three distinct race formats. DEKA FIT combines 10 functional workout zones with 500-metre runs between each, totalling five kilometres. DEKA MILE keeps the same 10 zones but shortens the run to 160 metres each time, while DEKA STRONG removes running altogether for a fast, explosive test of pure power and mental toughness. Ultimately, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a gym regular looking for a new challenge, DEKA is designed to meet you exactly where you’re at.
Spartan Central Coast Trifecta – Glenworth Valley, NSW
Spartan is heading somewhere new in 2026. And, it’s not holding back. On 21 February, Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast will host one of the most anticipated Spartan events of the year, with rugged bushland, river crossings and steep climbs setting the stage. The lineup includes a 5K Sprint with 20 obstacles, a 10K Super with 20 obstacles and National Series status, and finally, the ultimate test, the 21K Beast featuring a brutal 30 obstacles. Younger competitors aren’t left out either, with a 1–3K Kids Race doubling as an APAC qualifier for the World Championships. Expect breathtaking scenery, leg-burning climbs and that unbeatable Spartan finish-line feeling.
Highlander Adventure – Mount Hotham, VIC and Bouddi National Park, NSW
For those craving endurance with a side of soul-searching, Highlander Adventure offers something completely different in 2026. This global hiking series, which began in Croatia and now spans more than 20 countries, is launching two unforgettable Australian experiences with all logistics taken care of, from food and water to safety and campgrounds.
Australia’s first multi-day Highlander takes place at Mount Hotham from 18–22 March 2026, with hikers able to choose between one and five days on the trail through the Alpine National Park, passing historic huts, old mining sites and sweeping mountain views. In April, the adventure heads to the Central Coast, with a two-day experience in Bouddi National Park on 18–19 April. Starting and finishing in a coastal paradise, participants will explore dramatic clifftop trails, lush bushland, hidden beaches and ancient Aboriginal sites, with extras like yoga sessions, workshops and live music turning the challenge into a full-body, full-mind reset.
AusFitness Expo – Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, VIC
Finally, if you’d rather watch elite athletes in action or need a serious hit of motivation, AusFitness Expo returns to Melbourne on 21–22 March 2026. Taking over the MCEC, this two-day health and fitness spectacular brings together cutting-edge brands, expert-led wellness experiences and live competitions that showcase peak human performance. Your ticket unlocks access to eight major events, including the World Powerlifting Championships, Strongman, the ICN Oceania Muscle and Model Competition and the adrenaline-fuelled CrossFit Expo Games. Add in exclusive workouts, athlete appearances and massive expo-only discounts, and it’s essentially the Super Bowl of fitness.
