THE popular Coastrek hiking challenge is set to return to the Mornington Peninsula in May with organisers urging participants to register before entries close on 12 April.
The national event, which blends fitness, fundraising and community, will see thousands of trekkers take to coastal trails across the peninsula, raising funds for mental health organisation Beyond Blue.
Now in its 17th year, Coastrek has grown into one of Australia’s largest team-based hiking fundraisers. Since launching in 2009, more than 90,000 participants have completed the challenge, collectively raising over $57m for charities including the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Heart Foundation.
Participants in the Mornington Peninsula event, to be held on 22 May, can choose from three distances: a 50km trek from Cape Schanck Lighthouse to Point Nepean, a 30km loop beginning and ending at Point Nepean, or a shorter 20km route from Sorrento Front Beach to Point Nepean. Teams of two or more complete the challenge together, with a focus on camaraderie rather than competition.
Founder of Coastrek and Wild Women on Top Di Westaway said the event continued to resonate with women seeking both physical and mental wellbeing benefits.
“We’re seeing more women realise that getting outdoors and moving in nature isn’t just good for you, it’s transformative,” she said.
“Time in nature, walking with others, is one of the most powerful ways to reset mentally and physically. It really is the best medicine.”
The event’s impact is supported by research tracking more than 400 women, which found participants experienced a 5.6 per cent boost in mental wellbeing after training and completing Coastrek.
The study also estimated an average mental health value of $4000 per participant, equating to a potential $20m annual national benefit.
Researchers identified the combination of physical activity, social connection and purpose as key drivers behind the improvements, with benefits sustained among those who continued walking regularly.
Coastrek is designed to appeal to this demographic, offering a 12-week training program and community support through Wild Women On Top, the organisation behind the event.
“Coastrek women have always known that happiness and health are amplified when you challenge yourself and connect with others outdoors,” Westaway said.
“The right walk, with the right women, in the right place, can truly change your life.”
Organisers say the event is not a race, but a shared experience aimed at encouraging participants to cross the finish line together while supporting Beyond Blue’s 24/7 support service.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 April 2026
