Coastrek – Australia’s iconic hiking challenge – will take its inspirational formula of fun, fitness, friends, and fundraising to five spectacular locations across Australia in 2023, encouraging more women (and men!) to get moving in nature for healthy hearts.
Celebrating some of Australia’s most picturesque coastlines and walking tracks, Coastrek provides the ultimate active getaway with purpose, connecting a life-changing, energising 30 to 60 kilometre team hiking challenge with fundraising for the National Heart Foundation’s lifesaving research and programs.
“If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Australia’s spectacular coastline, immersing yourself in mother nature’s most awe-inspiring artforms – Coastrek will guide you there for a fabulous weekend with your friends. It really is the perfect setting for making magic memories,” says Coastrek Founder & CEO, Di Westaway OAM.
In 2023, Coastrek will be hiking for healthy hearts in the following locations:
COASTREK SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES: FRIDAY, 24 MARCH 2023
The Coastrek Sydney Northern Beaches route is a stunning stretch of coastline offering clifftop views, picturesque rocky headlands, the golden sands of Sydney’s beaches and fabulous trails in nature.
Trekkers will follow the coast from Palm Beach (60km start) taking in Barrenjoey Headland, Sydney’s northernmost seaside point; through Newport (45km start line) and North Narrabeen (30km start line) into the Balgowlah Heights, with Sydney’s famous Harbour guiding the way.
This spectacular coastal trail is situated on Guringai country, the land of the Garigal and Gayamaygal people, with Indigenous place names reflected throughout the route including Curl Curl, or ‘curial curial’ meaning ‘river of life’; and Elanora, meaning ‘camp by the sea’.
Event date: Friday, 24 March 2023
Registration closes 12 February 2023
Distances offered: 60km, 45km, 30km or the new ‘Twilight 20km’
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-sydney-nsw
COASTREK MORNINGTON PENINSULA: FRIDAY, 26 MAY 2023
A stunning sunrise start at Cape Schanck lighthouse, the natural beauty of Sorrento Beach, panoramic views from Fort Nepean, and coastal bush trails including Farnsworth track to London Bridge and Butlers Track are amongst the many highlights that make the Mornington Peninsula event 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 rich in Indigenous heritage. Scar trees and stone tool sites are common along with vegetation such as edible tuberous plants, once maintained by women of the traditional Bunurong clans that called the Peninsula home.
Event Date: Friday, 26 May 2023
Registration closes 16 April 2023
Distances offered: 60km, 45km, 30km or the new ‘Twilight 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) of meaning ‘shady place’.
Event Date: Friday, 21 July 2023
Registration closes 11 June 2023
Distances offered: 60km, 45km, 30km or the new ‘Twilight 20km’
Visit www.coastrek.com.au/events-sunshine-coast-qld
COASTREK FLEURIEU PENINSULA: FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2023
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.
Other highlights of the route include the 2.9km Kaiki Walking Trail around Granite Island Recreation Park and a spectacular 2.4 km 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.
This scenic route lies on the traditional lands of the Ngarrindjeri people. The face of Ngarrindjeri man, David Unaipon, adorns the Australian $50 note, and he is credited with being the first Indigenous writer to publish in English and the author of numerous articles retelling traditional stories.
Event Date: Friday, 1 September 2023
Registration closes 23 July 2023
Distance offered: 35km or the new ‘Twilight 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.
Having trekked the southern end of the Cape to Cape in its inaugural year in 2022, Coastrek 2023 will take trekkers on a remote, rugged and rocky 35 kilometre hike at the northern end of the trail. Starting at Smiths Beach through to Yallingup and onto the stunningly remote Three Bears surf break – so named for the three reef breaks, aka “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.
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 and Meelup Beach down into Dunsborough for the finish line.
The Wadandi People – Saltwater People – are the traditional custodians of this southwestern corner of Australia. They named Meelup, meaning ‘place of full moon rising’, inspired by the full moon that appears to rise out of the sea when it makes its appearance throughout the year.
Event Date: Friday, 27 October 2023
Registration closes 17 September 2023
Distance offered: 35km or the new ‘Twilight 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 64,000 trekkers in its 13-year history raising over $45 million, firstly through a nine-year partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, then a five-year partnership with Beyond Blue. From 2023, Coastrek will support 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.
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