ABOUT 3000 keen hikers have laced up their boots and taken to the trails of the Mornington Peninsula in support of raising more than $1.2 million for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 support service. The coastal hike, held on 23 May, included options of a 50km from Cape Schanck, a 30km loop from Point Nepean or 20km from Sorrento, with all distances finishing in Point Nepean. It is a team event of minimum two people, with all team sizes welcome.
Back for its 11th year on the Mornington Peninsula, the event was organised by Coastrek, which hosts a national series of fundraising walks in the wild, hiking some of Australia’s most spectacular coastal trails.
Among the participants was Jen Willis who took on the 50km challenge. “I’ve hiked all over the world but I’m looking forward to exploring the beautiful trails that surround me on the peninsula which I’m lucky to call home,” she said prior the event.
Caitie Moncur returned for her 5th Coastrek challenge. As an outdoor education teacher, she understands the benefits of spending time in nature for improved health and wellbeing: “Coastrek offers an opportunity to challenge yourself physically and mentally, while immersed in the natural environment with likeminded people. I am drawn back every year for the great sense of camaraderie, the stunning scenery and support for a very worthwhile cause,” she said.
Coastrek founder Di Westaway OAM said, “There are strong synergies between Coastrek and Beyond Blue with both organisations recognising the benefits that physical fitness, social connections and being in nature have on mental health”. “Taking on a challenge like Coastrek establishes a positive connection with fitness and a healthy routine that benefits trekkers way beyond the finish line.”
All money raised will support Beyond Blue’s focus on prevention and earlier intervention, supporting people before mental health issues arise or reach crisis point. About five million Australians live with anxiety or depression and nearly half will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women experience the highest levels of anxiety and depression in Australia – one in three women will experience anxiety in their lifetime and one in five will experience depression.
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said “Everyone taking part in Coastrek will be making a difference to their own mental health and wellbeing while ensuring advice, support and information provided by the Beyond Blue Support Service continues to be freely available to everyone in Australia, whenever and wherever they need it”.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 May 2025
