Top 10 Best Amazing Race Challenges Of All Time

December 23, 2019

Have you ever watched contestants on the Amazing Race TV show and thought, "I could do that"? At Beyond the Boardroom, we've turned that exciting format into one of our most popular team-building experiences, so you and your colleagues can compete in a real Amazing Race!

Enquire about an AMAZING RACE here!

In this article, we take a look at the top 10 challenges from The Amazing Race, which wowed viewers across the seasons. We also explain why our Amazing Race event has consistently ranked as a favourite among our clients, combining fun, genuine team development, and lasting workplace benefits.

The Best of the Best Amazing Race Ideas

Digging for clues in the sandcastle

This challenge was part of the first leg of season 22, and it was a gruelling task that required a bit of luck. The contestants had to search for 11 clues in more than 400 sandcastles at the beach. As if this wasn’t tough enough, they also had to rebuild any castles that didn't have clues. The first team to find all the clues wins!

Eating challenges

Challenges with food are always fun when food is involved, and The Amazing Race has provided incredible food challenges. For example, the Argentinian feast in season 7 required that each racer eat 4 pounds of assorted meat. This challenge was so complicated that only a handful of racers were able to complete this roadblock.

Rock it out

The Amazing Race is not about pushing physical limits. Often, it requires contestants to solve puzzles or get out of their comfort zone. For this challenge, contestants were supposed to get up and perform songs for strangers.

Watermelon slingshot

This challenge was the first leg of season 17, where the teams travelled to England. The roadblock encountered involved riding a horse to where a gigantic slingshot awaited them. This challenge aimed to knock over a suit of armour using watermelons as slingshots. There was a funny instance where a melon hit Claire (of the team Brook and Claire). This was a trying time because even though she needed to recover, she needed to keep going to avoid elimination for her team.

Rolling out

In the hay bale roadblock, racers were required to unroll large hay bales (all larger than the contestants). This roadblock was both physically and mentally exhausting for many teams. Each team was required to find clues to the next location among a few of the hay bales. This roadblock tested patience and strength, although some found traces rather early.

Dance it or draw it

During the detour at Vancouver’s Chinatown, teams were presented with two options: dance or draw. For the dance, contestants were made to put on traditional costumes and do the lion dance. On the other hand, users were meant to memorise a symbol from one of the 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac. After learning, contestants were supposed to reproduce this with a calligraphy brush.

Recount it… and?

The detour at St John's was pretty difficult, and it was a real brain test. In this challenge, teams had to recount a story that was told to them using a newfound slang. It was difficult because contestants had to recount the story word for word. The other part of this challenge involved loading up a cart filled with eggs and milk. Subsequently, a giant dog would pull the cart up a steep street without damaging the goods.

Hello and Goodbye

The last roadblock of season 21 presented a monumental challenge, especially in the final leg. This challenge required that racers hoist the flags of each nation that they visited during the race. Apart from raising the flags in the right order of countries visited, racers also had to get the correct words for "hello" and "goodbye" for each nation. Although contestants were greeted in each country's native language at the pit stop in every state, they did not guess these greetings would come in handy.

Wheels of cheese

This challenge is one that followers of the show will always remember. For this challenge, racers had to bring rickety cheese holders up and down a steep hill. Each team was supposed to get four wheels of cheese down the slope to finish the task.

The climb up the steep hill proved to be very challenging for many teams, and they needed to be careful because the wheels could get out of control and threaten other racers. This challenge required teamwork and dedication from both members of the entire team.

Shave it off

This challenge first appeared in the 9th leg of season 5 as part of a Hindu ritual for good luck. It required contestants to shave their heads. This challenge remains one of the most difficult, as contestants had to decide whether to risk elimination or lose their hair. What would you do?

How Our Amazing Race Team Events Work

When you book an Amazing Race Challenge with Beyond the Boardroom, you're not just getting a scavenger hunt—you're getting a strategically designed experience that will encourage teamwork, build on communication skills, all while fostering friendly competition amongst colleagues.

So, how do we put our outdoor Amazing Race ideas into practice? Let's break it down:

Before the race begins

We'll start by understanding what you're hoping to achieve. Maybe you've noticed communication breakdowns between departments. Perhaps you need to integrate new team members and build team spirit. Or you might simply want to reward your hardworking crew with a memorable day out. Whatever your goals, we'll customise the experience accordingly.

Our facilitators will welcome your team on the day and provide a briefing that sets the tone for a positive, inclusive experience. We'll divide participants into balanced teams, ensuring a good mix of personalities, roles, and abilities.

During the race

Teams receive their first clue, and the adventure begins! They'll navigate to various checkpoints where they'll face different types of challenges.

Your team might need to decode a cryptic message that leads to their next location & next clue, work together to create a human pyramid, or use their problem-solving skills to complete a puzzle under time pressure. One team member might discover their hidden talent for navigation, while another showcases unexpected leadership abilities.

As teams race through the experience, our facilitators keep everything running smoothly, ensuring everyone stays engaged and that the event runs seamlessly from start to finish. We track progress, provide assistance when needed, and maintain that perfect balance of challenge and achievement.

After crossing the finish line

When teams complete the obstacle course, we don't just announce a winner and send everyone home. The real magic happens in our thoughtful debrief session, where we help participants connect their Amazing Race experience to workplace dynamics.

We'll celebrate the winning team but also highlight the unique strengths each group demonstrated. Through guided reflection, team members will recognise how their race experience mirrors workplace challenges and how they can apply their insights back at the office.

Who Benefits Most from Team Building Activities?

While any team can enjoy and benefit from an Amazing Race experience, we've found it especially valuable for:

Teams experiencing change or growth

If you're navigating a merger, restructuring, significant growth, or other major change, an Amazing Race event helps establish new bonds quickly and align team members around shared experiences.

Teams working in silos

When departments rarely interact, Amazing Race challenges create natural opportunities for cross-functional collaboration in a neutral, enjoyable context.

Remote or hybrid teams need connection

For teams that primarily work virtually, an in-person event creates those crucial face-to-face connections that strengthen digital collaboration long afterwards.

Teams seeking to identify and develop talent

The varied nature of Amazing Race challenges reveals different strengths in team members, helping you identify hidden talents and leadership potential that may be overlooked in normal work settings.

Planning Your Amazing Race: Simple Steps to an Unforgettable Experience

Organising a transformative team event doesn't need to be complicated. Here's how we make it simple for you:

1. Let's chat about your team

We'll start by discussing your team's current situation, challenges, and goals. What specific outcomes are you hoping for? What's your team's makeup? Are there any particular dynamics or issues you'd like to address? This initial conversation helps us tailor the perfect creative challenges.

2. We'll handle the details

Once we understand your needs, our experienced event planners will manage all logistics—locations, challenges, materials, timing, contingency plans for weather, and any special requirements. Your job? Simply approve the proposal and look forward to the event.

3. Experience a seamlessly facilitated event

We don't just create challenges; on the day, our professional facilitators will deliver an engaging, inclusive experience for everyone. We'll manage the energy, ensure all participants are involved, and create an atmosphere where your team can both have fun and develop meaningful skills.

4. Connect insights to workplace reality

The true value comes in our thoughtful debrief, where we help team members recognise how their Amazing Race experiences connect to workplace dynamics, and how they can apply their insights moving forward.

5. Enjoy the ongoing benefits

Long after race day, you'll notice the positive impacts—improved communication, stronger relationships, enhanced problem-solving, and a shared language around teamwork that references your Amazing Race experience.

Why Teams Love Our Amazing Race Games

Since 2005, we've been helping corporate teams compete in engaging, collaborative, purpose-driven physical challenges.

The Amazing Race team-building format works brilliantly because it naturally creates situations where people must work together while having a genuinely good time. Unlike forced team activities that feel like "mandatory fun," this adventure-based approach sparks authentic connections and reveals new dimensions of your team's capabilities.

“What a great way to see Adelaide on an Amazing Race! The crew at Beyond the Boardroom went out of their way to make each and every challenge an entertaining and memorable one getting everyone in the spirit to reach the finish line first. A big thank you to Luke and the team for facilitating our client team building event. We have received excellent feedback and would be sure to use them again.”

Nikki Sahyoun - The Conference Room

Here's why organisations trust us with their Amazing Race team events:

We're experts in creating meaningful experiences

Our facilitators aren't just event hosts—they're skilled professionals who understand team dynamics and workplace challenges. They know exactly how to create conditions where genuine team development happens naturally.

We cover all of Australia

With facilitators in every state, we deliver consistent, high-quality experiences wherever you're located. From Sydney Harbour to Perth's Kings Park, Melbourne's laneways to Brisbane's South Bank, we know the best locations for unforgettable team experiences.

We're obsessed with your outcomes

While many providers focus solely on the fun factor, we design every element of your Amazing Race around your specific goals. Every challenge, location, and debrief question is selected with your team's development in mind.

We make it easy for you

From your first enquiry to the final debrief, we handle all the details. Your involvement can be as much or as little as you prefer—many clients simply show up on the day, completing challenges and enjoying watching their team transform.

Beyond Amazing Race: Other Team Building Options

While our Amazing Race Challenge is a perennial favourite, Beyond the Boardroom offers a wide range of other team-building experiences to suit different objectives and preferences:

Love the outdoor adventure aspect but want something different? Our Survivor Challenge brings the famous TV show format to life with tribal councils and immunity challenges that test team strategy and collaboration.

For teams that want to combine team building with social impact, our Bike Brigade and Helping Hands programs let your team experience the double satisfaction of working together while making a difference in the community.

Need an evening option after a conference day? Our Game Show Trivia Night transforms dinner into an engaging, high-energy team experience that gets everyone involved.

Want something more directly focused on innovation? Our LEGO® Serious Play® Workshop uses this familiar childhood toy to unlock serious creative thinking and problem-solving.

Ready to Transform Your Team with an Amazing Race Challenge?

Whether you're trying to break down silos between departments, integrate new team members quickly, or simply reward your hardworking crew with a memorable day out, Amazing Race challenges deliver that perfect blend of fun, purpose, and team development that transforms ordinary groups into super teams.

Whether you have 10 team members or 300, whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart or anywhere in between, Beyond the Boardroom will create an Amazing Race experience that delivers genuine results while giving your team an unforgettable day.