One Weekend. Endless Adventure.
From rugged mountains and world-class singletrack to pristine dam waters and Cattle Creek. Tackle the premier Full ZACH MACH, test your grit on the Dirty Duo, turn loose in the Youth MTB, choose your favourite Stage(s) Only, or bring the family on Sunday!
Finch Hatton RSL
Event HQ & Camping
Custom Challenges
Full, Duo, Youth & Stage Only
$2,000+
Total Prize Pool
Ages 6+ to Adults
All Fitness Levels
Choose Your Adventure
A multi-sport festival engineered for seasoned endurance champions, dirt enthusiasts, stage specialists, unbridled youth riders, and adventurous families.
FULL ZACH MACH
The ultimate test of regional endurance across all four iconic stages. Push your limits over rugged mountain ascents, glass-smooth dam waters, lush rainforest trails, and sealed tarmac cane roads. Complete all legs solo or share the glory with a partner or relay squad!
- ✓ Stage 1: 37.5km Mountain Bike (cane fields & Finch Hatton trails)
- ✓ Stage 2: 10km Kayak on Teemburra Dam
- ✓ Stage 3: 12km Rainforest Trail Run along Cattle Creek
- ✓ Stage 4: 30km Sealed Road Cycle past historic cane country
- ✓ Formats: Solo, Pairs & Relay Teams of 2–4
- ✓ Age Group: 14 years+
Dirty Duo NEW
Love the mud, dust, and singletrack but prefer to skip the paddle and road bike? The Dirty Duo combines the two rawest off-road stages back-to-back for a pure dirt battle through cane paddocks, mountain bike switchbacks, and rainforest creek lines.
- ✓ Stage 1: 37.5km Mountain Bike through cane paddocks & Finch Hatton trails
- ✓ Stage 2: 12km Cattle Creek Rainforest Trail Run
- ✓ Pure Off-Road: No kayak, paddle, or road bike required
- ✓ Trail Quality Cap: Strictly 60 competitors to keep flow optimal
- ✓ Podium Awards: Distinct category honours & awards
- ✓ Age Group: 14 years+
Stage Only
Your race, your rules! If you don't have a team or want to specialise in your strongest sport, you can enter any individual stage or craft your own custom combination (such as MTB + Kayak, Kayak + Run, or the Road Cycle only).
- ✓ Stage 1 MTB: 37.5km mountain bike through cane paddocks & trail network
- ✓ Stage 2 Kayak: 10km pristine flatwater sprint on Teemburra Dam
- ✓ Stage 3 Trail Run: 12km or 5km scenic Cattle Creek rainforest loop
- ✓ Stage 4 Road Cycle: 30km fast sealed tarmac circuit
- ✓ Stage Prize Money: Cash prizes awarded for individual stage winners!
- ✓ Age Group: 14 years+ (8+ for 5km Run)
Youth MTB Stage NEW
Unbridled youth excitement! Tailored exclusively for junior riders who want to take on the off-road sectors of the mountain bike course, blast through local cane paddock traverses, and finish in the heart of Finch Hatton's world-class MTB park.
- ✓ Age Group: 14–17 years (junior riders)
- ✓ Off-Road Only: Cane paddock tracks and world-class singletrack trails
- ✓ Epic Finish: Cross the timing mat right inside the Finch Hatton MTB Park
- ✓ Capped Entries: Limited strictly to 50 riders for premium safety and course flow
- ✓ Youth Awards: Dedicated junior trophies and podium recognition
MINI & MEGA MACH
The Pioneer Valley comes alive for juniors, families, and first-time racers! Enjoy creek crossings, natural obstacles, navigation stations, and farmland trails in a fun, safe, and supportive event atmosphere.
- ✓ Cattle Creek Crossings: Splashing, muddy, and exhilarating
- ✓ Obstacle Navigation: Adventure stations powered by local schools
- ✓ Parent & Carer FREE: When paired with children aged 6–10!
- ✓ Corry Cycles Bike Draw: Win a brand-new mountain bike!
- ✓ Age Group: 6 years+ (MINI) / 10 years+ (MEGA)
Saturday Race Stages & Options
Explore the full 88km course stages, the Dirty Duo combination, the standalone Youth MTB challenge, and custom Stage Only entries.
37.5km Mountain Bike
Ascend past cane paddocks to Teemburra Dam before returning to shred the world-class Finch Hatton MTB playground. Expect dirt, mud, and flow.
10km Kayak
Paddle Teemburra Dam with ducks on the water and barramundi beneath. A pure flat-water sprint cheered on by the Mackay Canoe Club.
12km (or 5km) Trail Run
Starting and finishing at HQ. Weave through lush rainforest tracks, sand, cane paddocks, and river crossings along Cattle Creek.
30km Road Cycle
A fast, rolling sealed road circuit past historic cane fields and scenic mountain horizons. Find your rhythm and surge home to the finish.
Saturday Formats & Entry Allocations
| Event / Category | Age Requirement | Capacity / Limit | Format Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full ZACH MACH Solo | 18+ years | Open Field | Complete all 4 stages individually. Major podium cash and 2028 entry prize. |
| Full ZACH MACH Pairs | 16+ years | Open Field | Both team members race all 4 stages together, remaining within 20m of each other. |
| Full ZACH MACH Relay Teams | 14+ years | Open Field | 2 to 4 competitors dividing the legs relay-style. (Two may kayak together in Stage 2). |
| Dirty Duo NEW | 14+ years | Strictly Limited to 60 | Competitors tackle the 2 dirtiest legs only: 37.5km MTB followed by the 12km Trail Run. |
| Stage Only (Single or 1+ Stages) | 14+ years (8+ for 5km Run) | Open Field | Enter any single stage or choose 1+ stages (e.g. MTB + Kayak) to build your own custom race day! |
| Youth MTB Stage Only NEW | 14–17 years | Strictly Limited to 50 | Unbridled junior riders racing cane paddock traverses and finishing on Finch Hatton MTB trails. |
MINI MACH & MEGA MACH
Inspiring confidence, fitness, and family connection in the great outdoors.
Podium Cash & Awards
Rewarding grit and dedication with cash prizes across our entire race roster.
| Division | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Solo Male & Female (Saturday) | $200 + 2028 Free Entry | $150 | $100 |
| Full Pairs Overall (Saturday) | $300 | $200 | $100 |
| Full Relay Team Overall (Saturday) | $120 | — | — |
| Single Stages M / F (Saturday) | $70 | $50 | $30 |
| Dirty Duo M / F (Saturday) NEW | Podium Award | Podium Award | Podium Award |
| Youth MTB Stage Only (Saturday) NEW | Junior Award | Junior Award | Junior Award |
| MEGA MACH Junior M / F (Sunday) | $50 | $35 | $20 |
| MINI MACH Junior M / F (Sunday) | $30 | $15 | $10 |
| Pairs Overall (Sunday) | $50 | $20 | $10 |
*eBikes are welcome on course on Saturday in our Stage 1 division, but are ineligible for podium prize money.
Weekend Timetable
Keep your support crews organised and transitions seamless.
Saturday 8 May: Full ZACH MACH, Dirty Duo, Stage Only & Youth
Sunday 9 May: MINI & MEGA MACH
In Honour of an Adventurer
The ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge celebrates the life of Zach Roberts—an exceptional young man, passionate adventure racer, and former Mackay Christian College student who tragically passed away at age 18.
Founded 14 years ago by Peter Lister, Alun Tunnah, and Jacquie Greentree, this event continues to honour his legacy by bringing communities together, celebrating our natural environment, and empowering the next generation to embrace life with grit and purpose.
"Live life full throttle, support your mates, and never stop exploring."Event HQ & Amenities
Everything you need for an unforgettable weekend in Finch Hatton.
Finch Hatton RSL HQ
Located on Anzac Parade, directly across from the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike trail network. Less than 50 minutes from Mackay CBD and Airport.
On-Site Camping
Camp under the stars on the Finch Hatton RSL grounds! Clean toilets and hot shower facilities are available all weekend. Book via your entry or email us.
Food & Hospitality
Enjoy hot BBQ breakfast and coffee cooked up by the RSL. For dinner, visit our local partners at The Gift Shed and the historic Finch Hatton Criterion Hotel.
Ready to Flip the Switch?
Registrations for the 2027 ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge, Dirty Duo, Stage Only, Youth MTB and MINI MACH open soon. Register your interest now to get early-bird access and secure your capped spot.
Register Your Interest Now