A shoreline adventure with iconic views
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Born in 2016 as Australia’s first-ever swimrun, Sydney East has grown into the country’s biggest celebration of moving through nature – a vibrant, feel-good amphibious festival with sweeping views of one of the world’s most recognisable coastlines.
This course is pure coastal magic. You’ll weave across harbour bays, national park trails, sandy beaches and wave-worn rock platforms, with postcard glimpses of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and South Head appearing as you move.
In 2026, Sydney East also plays host to the Australian Swimrun Championships, contested by teams in the Enduro distance. Alongside that, we’ve made a handful of thoughtful course tweaks to keep the experience welcoming for first-timers, fast and flowing for experienced teams, and friendly for runners, with short, confidence-building swims throughout.
The result is a course that invites you in and lets you find your own rhythm. The swims are short and achievable, the runs are varied and scenic, and together they create a feel-good challenge that rewards curiosity as much as fitness. For those chasing a quicker tempo, the terrain keeps things fun, fast and just the right amount of technical.
Bring your people, make a day of it and choose the adventure that suits you. Go solo in any distance, or pair up in the Experience or Enduro courses and share the journey.
four distances
Choose your
adventure
The course links harbour swims with flowing shoreline runs, guiding you across bays, beaches, trails and tucked-away corners of Sydney’s eastern coastline. It’s a journey through iconic views and hidden gems, showcasing the very best of the harbour and delivering a finish-line feeling you won’t forget.
SWIMRUN
Enduro 17.0
The original Sydney East challenge. Bite-sized swims and rolling runs carry you from Rose Bay all the way to Hornby Lighthouse and back, serving up the kind of rewarding, feel-good grind adventurous souls live for. Long, achievable, and unforgettable.
- 17km total
- 2km swim
- 15km run
- 27 sections
- Solo or team
- 17+ years
SWIMRUN
Experience 11.0
Not a sprint, not a slog – just the sweet spot. This steady, flowing course takes you deeper into Sydney Harbour’s shoreline beauty, including the iconic crossing of Parsley Bay Bridge to kick-start your journey home. A natural next step for growing swimrunners.
- 11km total
- 1.3km swim
- 9.7km run
- 17 sections
- Solo only
- 15+ years
SWIMRUN
Discovery 6.0
A fun, fast, feel-good intro to swimrun. Short, scenic sections link Rose Bay and Nielsen Park, with a bonus wander through the hidden Mount Trefle Track. It’s exciting, achievable, and the perfect way to dip your toes into the sport.
- 6km total
- 750m swim
- 5.25km run
- 11 sections
- Solo only
- 12+ years
AQUATHON
Stroke 'N Stride
A punchy, barefoot blast around Rose Bay. Two quickfire circuits, one buzzing event hub, and plenty of cheers from friends and family as you dash through halfway. Classic, simple, and seriously fun. This is the one to get the family and crew involved in; they just might get hooked!
- 2km total
- 700m swim
- 1.3km run
- 9 sections
- Solo only
- 12+ years
Through nature,
this way...
Rose Bay
where the adventure begins
Soft sand, calm harbour water and those big, unmistakable city views. It’s a gentle, welcoming launch point where the day feels wide open and full of possibility.
Hermit Bay
harbour stillness, postcard backdrop
A gentle stretch of harbour magic where shaded foreshore track meets tucked-away coves and blue-green water. From the calm, almost-hidden feel of Hermit Point to the postcard views at Milk Beach, this section delivers those “I can’t believe this is Sydney” moments in spades.
Nielsen Park
sunlit water, heritage charm
Shark Beach brings a soft-sand shoreline, gentle water and that unmistakable Nielsen Park glow. Framed by Greycliffe House and Bottle & Glass Point, it’s a section that feels both iconic and effortlessly enjoyable.
Parsley Bay
the crossing to your turning point
Parsley Bay’s suspension bridge is a true highlight. Enduro athletes glide underneath as they continue north, while Experience athletes dip under on the way out and then cross over it to mark the turn for home. It’s a moment that blends bushland calm with harbour charm.
Watsons Bay
secluded, sun-soaked, surreal
Hidden behind grand houses and narrow pathways, Kutti feels like a secret. The water glows turquoise, the sand is pale and soft, and the swim here is calm and dreamy – a true harbour highlight.
Camp Cove
sandy steps to something special
The water at Camp Cove is crystal clear, shallow, and made for fast, fun transitions. It’s a joyful section where the harbour narrows, the lighthouse draws closer, and you feel the anticipation building.
South Head
wild edges, iconic views
This is the emotional high point. The red-and-white stripes of Hornsby Lighthouse, rolling swell, sweeping ocean views and the full curve of Sydney Harbour at your feet. It’s raw, exposed, and exhilarating.
The return journey...
views in reverse, magic unchanged
The southern run home reveals new angles, softer light and that sense of a journey coming together. Every bay, beach and headland feels different the second time – familiar, earned, and beautifully Sydney.
proudly different
The experience
is the reward
At Swimrun Australia, we’re all about delivering the good stuff; real experiences, lasting memories, and everything you need for an unforgettable day on course.
Because what you take home isn’t just photos and a finish pennant - it’s the pride, the moments, and the story you’ll keep telling.
- Free on-course photos
- Free finish line photos
- On-course nutrition
- Finisher pennant
- Safety support
- Aus Tri-endorsed
Hit out sessions
Try Swimrun
Beginner-friendly, low-pressure, and full of fun. Try out gear, practise your transitions, and have a go at mini swimruns alongside like-minded adventurers.
Who: Swimrun Australia
Contact: Email us
Where: Lake Hugh Muntz
When: Saturdays @ 8 am: 9, 23 Aug & 6 Sep
Cost: Free, just turn up
Train With Dave
Step it up with a local legend in these feel-good sessions for intermediate swimrunners. Perfect if you’re keen to go a little further, push the pace, or dial in your skills.
Who: David Williams
Where: View Stories/Contact Dave
When: Sundays @ 6 am: 10, 17, 31 Aug & 7 Sep
Cost: $10 on the day, just turn up
Double Dip Swim Run
Swim, run, connect, and have a crack at this two-dip, two-run course in stunning Tallebudgera Creek. Free training event open to all levels: solo, team, or relay.
Who: Saltwater Swimmers GC and GC Social Tri Club
Contact: Saltwater Swimmers
Where: Tallebudgera Creek
When: Friday, 29 August @ 7:30 am (public holiday)
Cost: Free, limited to 80 people
The essentials
Who can take part
Swimrun is all about adventurous spirits coming together to move through nature, whether you’re a seasoned endurance athlete or just starting out. That said, there are a few basic age and ability guidelines to help keep everyone safe and ensure a feel-good experience for all.
Here’s what you need to know before signing up:
MINIMUM AGE DETERMINATION
Age determination for the minimum age for entry for all races and for age category assignment is determined by the athlete’s age on December 31st during the AusTriathlon season which runs from 1 July to 30 June.
For this event, the date for determining an athlete’s age is 31 December 2025.
Stroke N Stride: 12 years old
Discovery: 12 years old
Experience: 15 years old
Enduro: 17 years old
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PRE-REQUISITES
Stroke ‘N Stride
- Can swim 300 metres continuously in open water
Swimrun Discovery/Experience
- Can swim 400 metres continuously in open water
Swimrun Enduro
- Can swim 500 metres continuously in open water
See Section 2.3: Eligibility of the Swimrun Australia Event Rules for official eligibility.
Who you’ll be grouped with
Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up, every participant is placed into an age group and category that helps keep things fair and fun. While we’re not big on competition, we know some friendly comparison adds to the experience.
That said, if you’re chasing something a little more competitive, the Australian Swimrun Championship – held as part of this event – is where things get serious, with medals on the line for top teams.
Here’s how we currently group participants: by age and by gender. As our community grows, we’ll continue to evolve these categories to reflect who’s joining us out on course.
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AGE GROUPS
At this event, the following age group categories are offered. Your age group must be chosen at the time of entry. Results and placings are confined to the nominated age group.
Stroke ‘N Stride: U15, U18, Open
Discovery: U15, U18, Open
Experience [Solo]: U18, Open
Experience [Team]: Open
Enduro [Solo]: Open, Masters
Enduro [Team]: Open, Masters
U15 – 12-14 years old.
U18 – 15-17 years old.
Open – Unrestricted age group.
Masters Solo – 50+ years old.
Masters Team – Combined 100+ years, determined by combining the age of both team members, where the youngest is at least 45 years old, e.g. 45+55, 50+50, 50+55.
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CATEGORIES
At this event, the following gender categories are offered. Mixed teams are made up of one male and one female.
Stroke ‘N Stride: Male, Female
Discovery: Male, Female
Experience [Solo]: Male, Female
Experience [Team]: Male, Female, Mixed
Enduro [Solo]: Male, Female
Enduro [Team]: Male, Female, Mixed
Pacing info & Past times
Cut-off times are set to help keep everyone safe – participants and crew alike – and to make sure the event wraps up within the timeframe approved by our land partners.
Our safety and medical teams may remove participants from the course at any time if there’s a risk to their wellbeing.
In some cases, the Event Director may choose to extend cut-off times at their discretion, depending on conditions and course flow.
CUT-OFF TIMES
Enduro
Participants should be able to finish the course in 3 hours 45 minutes, with the following check-point cut-off times on the return leg:
- Watsons Bay (completed swim) – 2 hrs 20 mins
- Nielsen Park – 2 hrs 50 mins
Participants in Discovery and Experience must complete the course within the 3-hour 45-minute Enduro window.
The run sheet
Here’s how event day will roll out, from registration to salty celebrations. With multiple courses starting at different locations, it’s important to know where to be and when.
We’ve kept things as simple as possible, but since some of our courses are point-to-point, a few logistics are on you. Don’t worry; we’ve got your gear covered, and we’ll send all the final details in your Athlete Guide.
Below is the event schedule by course, plus some tips to help you move smoothly through the day.
SCHEDULE
0630-0720 – Registration
0730 – Compulsory athlete briefing
0745-0751 – Swimrun starts
0800 – Stroke ‘N Stride start
0915 – Stroke ‘N Stride presentation
1030 – Swimrun presentation
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ATHLETE & GEAR LOGISTICS
The start and finish for all distances is in the Event Hub at Woollahra Sailing Club.
Gear drop is available.
Final timings and details on logistics are provided in the Athlete Guide.
Entry info & Need-to-knows
Here’s everything you need to know before locking in your spot: what’s included, how pricing works, and what to have ready if you’re entering as a team.
We keep things simple, but there are a few bits and pieces that help us run a smooth, low-fuss event, so take a moment to read through the details below before you dive into the entry process.
Aus Triathlon One Day Licence (ODL)
An Aus Triathlon One Day Licence is required if the participant is not a member of Aus Triathlon. This fee includes Public Liability and Personal Accident Cover to the holder.
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Service Fee
A payment processing fee of 2.8% is added to each order.
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Youth Age
Participants who are under the age of 18 on 31/12/2025.
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Tiered Pricing
Early (less 10%): Until 15 February 2026
On Time: 16 February – 31 March 2026
Late (plus 20%): 1 – 15 April 2026
Entries will close at midnight, Wednesday, 15 April, unless sold out prior.
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Additional Purchases
Whistle: $5.00
Reusable Silicone Cup: $10.00
Sydney East Drawstring Gear Bag: $15
Swimrun Australia Microfibre Towel: $25
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Limited Entries
This event has a strict limit on the number of swimrun participants allowed on the course. This excludes Stroke ‘N Stride.
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Waiting List
Should capacity be reached before entries close, a waitlist will be opened. If a new spot becomes available, the next person on the waitlist will be contacted via SMS and given 24 hours to enter.
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Team Entry
Team entries are available in the Experience and Enduro races. There are male, female and mixed (one male, one female) categories.
For team entries, one team member (the team leader) will be responsible for entering on behalf of both members. In order to do this, the team leader will need to collect the following information from their partner before starting the entry process.
- Full Name
- DOB
- Mobile Number
- Email Address (each member must have a unique email to be accepted)
- Suburb, State & Postcode
- Emergency Contact Name and Mobile Number
- Relevant medical information
The team leader will also be accepting the Terms & Conditions and signing the Waiver on behalf of their partner, so permission should be obtained first.
2026 Course design & Experience
Sydney East has always been about finding the right balance between land and water, and for 2026 that balance has been carefully fine-tuned.
The updated course creates a smoother, more run-led rhythm, with run sections that link naturally and swims that feel purposeful rather than prolonged. Time in the water is broken into shorter, more approachable legs, allowing you to settle quickly, exit feeling strong, and get back into your stride.
For runners, the course flows more intuitively across headlands, trails, and harbour edges. For swimmers, the swims are still in play. They’re set in iconic, sheltered locations that reward calm movement, good line choice, and efficient transitions.
This refined balance between swims and runs makes the experience feel more connected and enjoyable from start to finish, especially for those new to swimrun or stepping up to a longer distance.
Underpinning it all is the same considered approach to safety that has shaped Sydney East from the beginning. Smart course design, experienced support teams, and conditions-led decisions allow you to focus on the experience itself.
It’s the same Sydney East spirit, just with a little more flow, a little more ease, and a course that invites you to move through it with confidence.
Course modifications:
- A reworked Rose Bay swim and exit – the swim from Rose Bay (North) to Bayview Baths has been shortened for all distances, returning to the original course design, including a rock platform exit/entry and short trail scramble that adds a classic, technical swimrun moment.
- A playful Hermit Bay entry – the swim now runs directly from the boat ramp to Hermit Bay Beach and includes an optional jump from the pier, adding a memorable, feel-good element to the course.
- A refined Nielsen Park swim – the swim at Nielsen Park takes place entirely within the netted area, creating a calm, contained section of the course in one of Sydney’s most iconic swim locations.
Need to make a change?
Simple. Flexible. Fair.
We get it; life happens. So we’ve built a policy that gives you peace of mind, while helping us deliver awesome, low-fuss events for everyone. Here’s the need-to-know version:
FREE Transfers (within the same event)
That’s right; transfers are free!
Change your plans up to 3 days before the event, with no extra fees.
You can:
- Switch to a longer or shorter distance (you’ll just pay or forgo the price difference)
- Swap a teammate or change your team category (e.g. from Male to Mixed)
- Convert a team entry into a solo entry if needed
- Split a team into two solo entries
- Transfer your solo entry to someone else
You can’t:
- Switch a team to a distance that doesn’t have a team category
How to transfer:
For distance and person-to-person transfers, go to the event page, click Enter Now, then hit Transfer Now. Follow the steps; it’s quick and easy.
For converting or splitting team entries, contact us.
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Refunds (prior to the event)
If you need to withdraw, here’s what you can expect:
- 75% refund – if more than 6 weeks out
- 50% refund – if between 4 and 6 weeks out
- No refunds – within 4 weeks of the event
Use the contact form to make your request.
Please note: Service and payment processing fees are non-refundable.
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Deferrals
We don’t offer deferrals to future events. Thanks for understanding.
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No-Shows (event day)
Miss event day? Your entry and any included merchandise will be forfeited.
But don’t worry; you can still collect merch via courier or have a mate pick it up (just let us know in advance).
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Why We Have This Policy
We’re a small but mighty team running niche, low-impact events, and most of our costs are committed well in advance. This policy helps us:
- Make confident calls about event delivery
- Cover upfront costs
- Keep creating more events for more adventurous souls
The 4-week no-refund window ensures we’re not affected by last-minute weather-based decisions and can commit fully to bringing your event to life.
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How You Can Help
Want to see swimrun thrive in Australia? Here’s how you can support us:
- Enter early and encourage others to join
- Spread the word on socials
- Volunteer if you’re not racing
- Introduce us to potential event sponsors
Thanks for understanding, supporting, and moving with us. We’re building something special – together.
Curious about the fine print? Dive into the official event rules here.
When nature calls the shots
Swimrun is about embracing the elements; but sometimes, the elements have other plans. While we always aim to deliver the full course as intended, safety is our top priority.
Occasionally, that means adjusting the course or making the tough call to cancel. Here’s how we handle those situations, and what it means for your entry.
Course Changes
For safety or other reasons, the course may be adjusted before or during the event.
If any swim legs are deemed unsafe, one or more may be removed. In rare cases, a fully run-only course may be introduced if swimming poses too great a risk.
If the course is modified, your entry fee remains non-refundable, as the event is still being delivered in an alternate, safe format.
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Weather-Related Cancellation
If the event is cancelled due to severe weather, dangerous conditions, or other circumstances outside of our control (as outlined in Section 9.2 of the Event Rules), entry fees will also be non-refundable.
This includes cases where local authorities, landowners, or emergency services determine the event cannot go ahead due to safety or weather impacts.
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We always aim to deliver the best possible event, but safety and environmental responsibility come first. Thanks for your understanding, and for rolling with the elements, just like a true swimrunner.
Volunteer & Join the fun (for free!)
Be part of the magic behind the scenes as a volunteer on our event crew.
You’ll score some sweet merchandise and, if the salty smiles and soft sand grit inspire you, we’ll gift you a free solo entry to a future Swimrun Australia event.
Sound good? Add your name to our volunteer list and we’ll be in touch with the details.
Once you’ve entered, we’ll send you an Athlete Guide with everything you need to know to get ready for your swimrun adventure.
