Sydney Coastrekkers champion mental health and raise vital funds to support Beyond Blue

March 21, 2022

Environment / Events / Finance / Fitness / Wellness /

Sydney Coastrek will see more than 2,800 trekkers participate in the annual walk on Friday, 25th March 2022 spotlighting the mental health benefits of hiking in nature and in support of the Beyond Blue Support Service.

Research shows that spending as little as 10 to 20 minutes walking in nature has significant benefits for people’s mental wellbeing and can reduce stress, anger and anxiety.

Participants of Sydney Coastrek have a choice of tackling 30km, 45km or 60km routes along the stunning coastline of Sydney’s Eastern Beaches from La Perouse through Maroubra, Bondi, Vaucluse, Barangaroo and over the Harbour Bridge to the finish line at Kirribilli. Journalists Jennifer Byrne, Angela Mollard and Jacinta Tynan will be walking as Coastrek Ambassadors.

Sydney Coastrek teams are aiming to raise $1.65 million towards the Beyond Blue Support Service, which offers 24/7 support, advice and care options for all Australians. Coastrek is the largest community fundraising partner of Beyond Blue and Sydney is the first in a series of five events around Australia throughout 2022, which last year saw a total of $6.4 million raised.

Beyond Blue Chief Executive Georgie Harman thanked Coastrekkers for championing mental health and raising vital funds to support others.

Harman notes “we know that getting moving outdoors regularly does great things for our physical and mental wellbeing and Coastrek really highlights this connection. Thanks to the efforts of trekkers, the Beyond Blue Support Service can be there for thousands of people when they need it most and I thank the trekkers and everyone who has donated for their continued support.”

Participants trek in teams of four and are supported with a training program, helping them build and maintain their physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Coastrek Founder and Chief Executive Di Westaway adds “Coastrek was created to encourage more women to fall in love with fitness and enjoy the benefits of shared outdoor challenges on physical and mental health. Training, fundraising and trekking all combine a to ensure a positive community impact well beyond Coastrek event day.”

To support an individual or team, visit coastrek.com.au/trekkers or to check out other Coastrek events around Australia throughout 2022 including the inaugural Margaret River event in October, visit coastrek.com.au/events

26th January 2022 - New Zealand Walking Access Commission recognises impact of women on accessing the outdoors

20th January 2022 - New bike and walking trail to activate tourism along the Great Ocean Road

8th December 2021 - New Zealand walking trail Te Araroa turns 10

1st December 2021 - New Sydney CBD walking trail planned to connect major tourism locations and attractions

23rd November 2021 - Christchurch community encouraged to explore parks and walking trails not previously visited

7th September 2021 - Study proves feasibility of proposed multi-day walking experience in Tasmania’s Tyndall Range

27th August 2021 - New survey finds record numbers of Sydneysiders now walking and cycling

6th July 2021 - $2.5 million walking trail to promote Nimbin as nature-based tourism destination

22nd June 2021 - Researchers to study benefits of combining Mediterranean Diet with daily walking

11th June 2021 - $10 million boost to complete 55-kilometre multi-day Kosciuszko walking trail

19th May 2021 - Penrith City Council tests new walking grid initiative in Kingswood

5th August 2020 - Funding announced for new parks, walking trails and open spaces in NSW

24th June 2020 - Study finds walking to be most popular adult physical activity in Bendigo

3rd April 2020 - Cairns Regional Council encourages exercisers to use walking tracks

11th October 2019 - 65 kilometre walking trail to showcase best of Western Sydney

18th August 2019 - Queensland Government funds walking initiatives to promote health

18th April 2019 - New Queensland ecotrail contributes to walking tourism

21st February 2019 - Bibbulmun Track walking events cater for all fitness and skill levels

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.