The Roller Coaster Run is Melbourne’s mountain run and is all about the zig-zag tracks, the gnarly loops, and the trails that never flatten out in the lush wilderness of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It’s just an hour from Melbourne’s CBD, a Melbourne trail run like no other.
Visitors looking to participate in the Roller Coaster Run should check the course map before enrolling, as the map will often change from year to year due to changes in the terrain.
Roller Coaster Run 2025 Dates, Times, Elevation, Course, Parking & Map
Come and experience a trail run that delivers what it says on the box—a Roller Coaster of a weekend! It’s fun, and there are ups and downs, both literally and figuratively. By the end, you feel excited and longing for more!
46k Double Loop Ultra
Looking to conquer your first Ultra? Look no further. This unique challenge sees runners complete the 23k loop and then turn around and do it in the opposite direction. It’s amazing how different a loop can seem in reverse, especially on tired legs. Getting dizzy? This is the ultimate Roller Coaster!
Commencing at the Event Village at Kalorama Memorial Reserve, runners depart along Hands Rd, then Jasper Rd, and continue to Old Coach Rd. These low-traffic roads will be marshalled for clear direction.
A right turn onto Old Mountain Rd brings runners to a very fast downhill along a dirt road. The road comes to a split, and runners veer left onto Fireline Track. This nice trail undulates slowly uphill until you get to the left turn onto Observatory Track. This is perhaps the steepest climb of the race, and it lasts for a good 130m of Vert.
At the top right turn onto Kyeema track, runners follow this trail across the hillside, catching a great view as they go by Burke’s Lookout. Bomb the descent down the zig-zag track through tall Mountain Ash and Rainforest Ferns before emerging at Doongalla Picnic Area, a serene opening and the home of Checkpoint 1.
Runners then proceed out of the access road of Doongalla and take a hard left onto Dodds Track, where the challenge really begins with this second very steep climb part of the Roller Coaster Folklore.
Runners then cross the Basin-Olinda Road and continue up Range Road before gradually curving around, running a bit of a Roller Coaster and returning to Doongalla for some much-earned refreshments.
Leaving Doongalla for the second time, runners head north, making their way along Camelia Track and Singleton Terrace to the back of the village of Kalorama with more stunning views as a backdrop.
Runners then return along Old Coach Rd, Jasper Rd and Hands Rd to the Event Village at Kalorama Reserve.
From the Event Village, runners turn around and do it all again—in reverse! It’s amazing how much different the loop becomes once tackled in the opposite direction on tired legs. Most runners admit that their focus changes and the course comes to life.
23k Single Loop
This dynamic course follows well-made undulating trails through the ferny forests of the Dandenong National Park. Don’t be fooled by the beauty; there is some steep terrain to challenge the legs, and the roller coaster peaks and valleys add up to a stout 1150m+ of vert!
Commencing at the Event Village at Kalorama Memorial Reserve, runners depart along Hands Rd, then Jasper Rd, and continue to Old Coach Rd. These low-traffic roads will be marshalled for clear direction.
A right turn onto Old Mountain Rd brings runners to a very fast downhill along a dirt road. The road comes to a split, and runners veer left onto Fireline Track. This nice trail undulates slowly uphill until you get to the left turn onto Observatory Track. This is perhaps the steepest climb of the race, and it lasts for a good 130m of Vert.
At the top right turn onto Kyeema track, runners follow this trail across the hillside, catching a great view as they go by Burke’s Lookout. Bomb the descent down the zig-zag track through tall Mountain Ash and Rainforest Ferns before emerging at Doongalla Picnic Area, a serene opening and the home of Checkpoint 1.
Runners then proceed out of the access road of Doongalla and take a hard left onto Dodds Track, where the challenge really begins with this second very steep climb part of the Roller Coaster Folklore.
Runners then cross the Basin-Olinda Road and continue up Range Road before gradually curving around, running a bit of a Roller Coaster and returning to Doongalla for some much-earned refreshments.
Leaving Doongalla for the second time, runners head north, making their way along Camelia Track and Singleton Terrace to the back of the village of Kalorama with more stunning views as a backdrop.
Runners then return along Old Coach Rd, Jasper Rd and Hands Rd to the Event Village at Kalorama Reserve.
12k Twilight Mad Mouse
This course is perfect for anyone from the ultimate pro to the trail newbie! It offers the full trail experience, from the breathtaking climb up Observatory Track to the equally breathtaking view at Bourke’s Lookout, to the thrilling downhill of Zig Zag Track, to the friendly community coming together at the finish.
Commencing at the Start/Finish Event Village at Kalorama Memorial Reserve, runners depart the reserve along Hands Rd, then Jasper Rd, and continue to Old Coach Rd. These low-traffic roads will be marshalled for clear direction.
Turn right onto Old Mountain Rd and left onto Fireline Track until you reach Observatory Track. Turn Left and commence the steep climb to the top of the Mountain!
With a right turn onto Kyeema track, runners follow this trail across the hillside, catching a great view as they go at Burkes Lookout before a fun descent down the zig-zags through tall Mountain Ash and Rainforest Ferns.
Before reaching Doongalla, 12k runners turn right onto the Dacite Track and then into Fireline Track and Singleton Terrace, joining the longer course again. Runners then gradually climb toward Kalorama Park.
Runners then return along Old Coach Rd, Jasper Rd and Hands Rd to the Event Village at Kalorama Reserve.
This course is true to its name: Mad!
2k Kids Carousel
Roll Up, Roll Up! Trail legends of the future, we are calling YOU! Kickstart your kid’s trail running experience with the race on all the kids’ lips. This friendly looped course around Kalorama Reserve will keep their hearts beating and faces smiling.
The start and finish lines are at the Kalorama Memorial Oval. The course includes two loops of the oval and is near the car parking area. Please note that the wet weather-dependent course may be modified for safety. We will have a friendly person in a fun outfit for the kids to chase around the course!
Full Throttle
This is the 23km Single Loop and 12km Twilight Mad Mouse Double on Saturday! A total of 35km over two races in ONE DAY!
Beast Mode
This is the 46km Double Loop and 12km Twilight Mad Mouse on Saturday! A total of 56km over two races in ONE DAY.
Mandatory Gear
For the 46k and 23k races, mandatory gear checks will be performed at the Registration/Bib Collection. Please bring all the required gear to registration.
Note: There may be spot checks on the course or finish line for any TWO (2) items on the mandatory gear list for any event. There will be a 30-minute time penalty for missing one piece of gear and disqualification for runners who have neither piece of gear.
For the 12km, 23km and 46km courses, the following items are mandatory to carry:
- A fully charged Smart Phone that is switched on
- Capra App installed on phone and maps downloaded
- A working Torch
- 500ml of liquid storage capacity
- (WET WEATHER ONLY) Waterproof Jacket with hood. It must be made with a waterproof and breathable membrane. The hood must be attached to the jacket by the original manufactured design and must be seam-sealed. It must be suitable for protection against bad weather in the mountains.
The courses will be super well-marked, but fatigued runners tend to develop tunnel vision. Keep your wits about you and watch for orange markings/ribbons/cones. Maps will be provided to participants, but familiarising yourself with the course beforehand could save you a lot of time on the day. Bring a mobile phone on the Telstra network so you can contact others. (Telstra appears to have the best coverage). The map provided to participants will have mobile phone numbers for the organisers and volunteers.
Participants are required to register online. Several categories are open for registration, so participants can choose what best suits their abilities. The cost of participation varies between categories.
Parking & Transport
The First Ferny Creek Scout Troop will again manage parking at the Event Village, which costs $10 per car per day.
NOTE: Cash is preferred (it’s faster), though EFTPOS is available. This awesome local community group retains all car parking funds raised.
All car parking is at the owner’s risk.
Parking is extremely limited near the Event Village and everywhere on the mountain. So, they urge you to find a buddy (or four) and carpool to and from the event. There are not enough parking spaces for everyone to travel solo.
It’s cheaper in petrol, better for the environment, and you can share the pre-race nerves and the post-race runners high with someone else.
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