Coastrek – Australia’s iconic hiking challenge for women – will trek five spectacular coastlines across Australia in 2024, encouraging more women to get moving in nature to help end heart disease and close the gender gap in heart health for women in Australia.
Celebrating some of Australia’s most picturesque coastlines and walking tracks, Coastrek provides the ultimate ‘holiday with heart’. Trekkers in teams of four can choose a 50km, 35km or 30km full day hiking challenge or a 20km ‘twilight trek’ starting early afternoon and crossing the finish line on sunset. Teams are supported with a 12-week training program, while raising funds to support Heart Foundation research focusing on women’s specific risk factors, historically under researched despite heart disease being a leading cause of death in Australian women; and programs to help end Rheumatic Heart Disease, a completely preventable disease prevalent in First Nations women and children.
“If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Australia’s spectacular coastline and setting yourself a challenge, Coastrek offers the perfect motivation, while improving your mental and physical health, and supporting lifesaving heart research and programs to help end the gender gap in women’s heart health,” says Coastrek Founder & CEO, Di Westaway OAM, who created Coastrek in 2009 to help women fall in love with fitness.
In 2024, Coastrek will be hiking for healthy hearts in the following locations:
COASTREK SYDNEY: FRIDAY, 3 MAY 2024
The Coastrek Sydney route is a stunning stretch of coastline along Sydney’s Northern Beaches, offering clifftop views, picturesque rocky headlands, and leafy bushland trails.
Trekkers will follow the coast from Palm Beach (50km start) taking in Barrenjoey Headland, Sydney’s northernmost seaside point; through Newport and Mona Vale (30km start) into Long Reef (20km start) and Manly then on to the Balgowlah Heights finish line, with Sydney Harbour guiding the way.
This spectacular coastal trail is situated on Guringai country, the land of the Garigal and Gayamaygal people. Indigenous place names are reflected throughout the route including Curl Curl, or ‘curial curial’ meaning ‘river of life.
Event date: Friday, 3 May 2024
Registration closes Sunday, 24 March 2024
Distances offered: 50km, 30km or 20km
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-sydney-nsw
COASTREK MORNINGTON PENINSULA: FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2023
A stunning sunrise start at Cape Schanck Lighthouse (50km start), panoramic views from Point Nepean (30km start), the stunning beauty of Sorrento Beach and coastal bush trails, including Farnsworth track to London Bridge, are amongst the many highlights that make the Mornington Peninsula route so special.
A healthy amount of sand is involved but as a reward for trekkers on completion, the Mornington Peninsula region offers spectacular wineries, relaxing spa and wellness retreats, and close encounters with local wildlife.
The route is located on the traditional lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation and is situated just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne.
Event Date: Friday, 26 May 2023
Registration closes 14 April 2023
Distances offered: 50km, 30km, 20km
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-mornington-peninsula-vic
COASTREK SUNSHINE COAST: FRIDAY, 21 JULY 2023
This event puts the ‘coast’ in Coastrek with kilometres of beach hugging trail and an abundance of leg-toning sand! Highlights include a scenic trek around Maroochy River and the beautiful canal estate of Twin Waters, coastal trails through Coolum and Peregian Beach, and – for something completely different – a free shuttle boat ride across the Mooloolah River, with a finish in the Noosa Woods bushland setting.
Noosa’s Hastings Street café, bar and restaurant strip awaits for post-event celebrations and a day trip into the hinterland townships of Eumundi, Montville and Maleney is a must-do.
The Sunshine Coast route is on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples. Noosa Heads was originally known as Wantima, meaning ‘climbing up’, but it was eventually given the name Noosa (Noothera), meaning ‘shady place’.
Event Date: Friday, 19 July 2024
Registration closes 9 June 2024
Distances offered: 50km, 30km, 20km
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-sunshine-coast-qld
COASTREK FLEURIEU PENINSULA: FRIDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2024
Situated just over an hour’s drive south of Adelaide, trekkers will enjoy a taste of South Australia’s famous Heysen Trail between Waitpinga and Encounter Bay – a stunning section of the world-class walking trail on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
This scenic route lies on the traditional lands of the Ngarrindjeri people with trekkers setting off from Parsons Beach (35km start) through to Kings Beach to Port Elliot, enjoying rolling green hills and spectacular scenery on one of the most visually striking Coastrek routes. Highlights include the Kaiki Walking Trail around Granite Island Recreation Park and its spectacular cliff-top sculpture trail which features the work of local, national and international artists.
The event finishes in the idyllic seaside town of Port Elliot – home to postcard-worthy beaches, homewares shops, stylish cafes and chic, beachside cottages. Nearby is the award-winning McLaren Vale wine region for post-event exploration.
Event Date: Friday, 6 September 2024
Registration closes 28 July 2024
Distance offered: 35km and 20km
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-fleurieu-peninsula-sa
COASTREK MARGARET RIVER: FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023
Unofficially considered the most challenging event of the series, Coastrek Margaret River encompasses a section of the famous Cape to Cape Track, renowned internationally for its stunning scenery, world-class beaches and unique coastal terrain.
Starting at Smiths Beach through to Yallingup, passing the stunningly remote Three Bears surf break – so named for the three reef breaks, “baby, mama and papa bear”, that break consistently over the summer months – and continuing through some of the most untouched landscapes on the west coast.
The Wadandi People – Saltwater People – are the traditional custodians of this southwestern corner of Australia. Highlights include the unique Sugarloaf Rock formation, and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse which stands on a 100 metre bluff overlooking Geographe Bay, before rounding the tip of the peninsula and onto picturesque Bunker Bay into Dunsborough for the finish line
Event Date: Friday, 25 October 2023
Registration closes 15 September 2023
Distance offered: 35km and 20km
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-margaret-river-wa
About Wild Women on Top and Coastrek
Established in 2004, Wild Women on Top is one of Australia’s largest and longest running women’s health movements. Their mission is to connect, coach and champion women in the in the outdoors through community hiking adventures and their flagship Coastrek program of events around Australia.
Since the first event in 2009, Coastrek has transformed millions of lives globally with over 70,000 trekkers in its 15-year history raising over $49 million, firstly through a nine-year partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, then a five-year partnership with Beyond Blue. From 2023, Coastrek will has partnered with the Heart Foundation, raising funds for valuable research and programs to combat heart disease – Australia’s largest cause of death. To date, nearly two million kilometres have been trekked by women and men who have trained and completed a Coastrek challenge – that’s 40 times around the world!
In 2020, Founder & CEO Di Westaway was awarded an OAM for services to women’s health, fitness and charity services. She is an authority on lifestyle health and wellness and trek training and has authored two books: ‘Natural Exhilaration’ and ‘How to Prepare for World Class Treks’. She also holds the world record for the highest handstand at 6,982m above sea level on Mt Ama Dablam, Nepal.
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
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