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50 COASTREKS. 96,000 TREKKERS. $58 MILLION RAISED. Australia's iconic hiking movement celebrates milestone 50th event on the Mornington Peninsula

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Key Facts:

Australia’s iconic hiking movement celebrates milestone 50th event on the Mornington Peninsula, Friday 22 May.

It marks a monumental milestone for the movement founded by Di Westaway, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for services to women’s sport and charitable initiatives.

• 96,000 trekkers have participated in Coastrek events across Australia
• More than $58 million raised for charity
• Over 3 million kilometres trekked - the equivalent of travelling around the world 40 times
• 850,000 donors have backed Coastrek participants
• Nearly 2,900 volunteers have powered Coastrek events nationwide
• 50 events delivered with one clear mission: getting more women into nature for better physical and mental health

Coastrek continues to deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to regional destinations, with participant data showing:

• 10–15% of trekkers travel interstate to participate
• 66% stay overnight or turn the event into a weekend getaway
• 25% stay for three nights or more

(Source: Coastrek Participant Survey 2025)

Images Here

From 40 women carrying photocopied maps, veggie wraps and Paw Paw cream in 2009… to one of Australia’s most powerful women’s health and fundraising movements in 2026 - is about to make history.

On May 22, more than 3,000 trekkers will descend on the spectacular Mornington Peninsula for Coastrek Mornington Peninsula 2026 - officially the 50th Coastrek event ever staged.

And in true Coastrek style, it’s not just about hiking.

It’s about Movement. Mental health. Women supporting women. Community connection. And changing lives - one step at a time.

Participants will trek 20km, 30km or 50km from sunrise at Cape Schanck through some of Australia’s most breathtaking coastal terrain, finishing at Point Nepean, with the event expected to raise an extraordinary $1.6 million for Beyond Blue.

It marks a monumental milestone for the movement founded by Di Westaway, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for services to women’s sport and charitable initiatives.

What began as a grassroots adventure has evolved into one of the country’s most inspiring wellness and charity success stories.

The very first Coastrek in 2009 was a pilot event featuring just 40 women who got lost trekking from La Perouse to Palm Beach, ultimately covering 126km over 32 hours.

Seventeen years later, Coastrek has become a national phenomenon.

THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE MOVEMENT

• 96,000 trekkers have participated in Coastrek events across Australia
• More than $58 million raised for charity
• Over 3 million kilometres trekked - the equivalent of travelling around the world 40 times
• 850,000 donors have backed Coastrek participants
• Nearly 2,900 volunteers have powered Coastrek events nationwide
• 50 events delivered with one clear mission: getting more women into nature for better physical and mental health

Founder Di Westaway said the 50th event is a defining moment not only for Coastrek, but for women’s health in Australia.

“Back in 2009, we had no idea that a handful of women hiking with photocopied maps and homemade snacks would spark a movement that would change tens of thousands of lives,” she said.

“Coastrek has become so much bigger than hiking. It’s about helping women reconnect with themselves, with nature, with friendship and with their health.”

“We’ve watched women transform their physical and mental wellbeing, build confidence, overcome enormous personal challenges and raise millions for causes that matter deeply to them.”

“To now celebrate our 50th event with thousands of trekkers on the Mornington Peninsula raising vital funds for Beyond Blue is incredibly emotional and something I’m immensely proud of.”

Coastrek continues to deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to regional destinations, with participant data showing:

• 10–15% of trekkers travel interstate to participate
• 66% stay overnight or turn the event into a weekend getaway
• 25% stay for three nights or more

(Source: Coastrek Participant Survey 2025)

As demand for connection, movement and mental health support continues to rise across Australia, Coastrek’s impact has never felt more relevant.

Coastrek is created by Wild Women On Top, one of Australia’s longest-running women’s health movements, with a mission to inspire women through hiking adventures in nature.

COASTREK MORNINGTON PENINSULA 2026

Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Location: Mornington Peninsula
Participants: 3,000+ trekkers
Fundraising Goal: $1.6 million for Beyond Blue

DONATE

Support Coastrek Mornington Peninsula and Beyond Blue here:
Coastrek Mornington Peninsula Donation Link

Media assets available here:
Coastrek Mornington Peninsula Media Assets

 

ASSETS

Video and Drone footage

Images here

 

 

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About Coastrek

Coastrek is Australia’s iconic team hiking and fundraising challenge. Since Coastrek’s first event in 2009 over 90,000 people have trained and completed a Coastrek challenge and raised over $58 million for respected Australian charities including the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Heart Foundation and Beyond Blue. Visit www.coastrek.com.au. Coastrek was founded by Wild Women on Top, with the goal of championing women in the outdoors. Built around women’s wellbeing, connection and empowerment, Coastrek also welcomes men to join the journey alongside friends, partners, families and teams.  Today participants from all walks of life enjoy the exhilaration of a Coastrek Event Day, and the camaraderie of taking part together.

 

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 wellbeing and holds the world record for the highest handstand at 6,982m above sea level on Mt Ama Dablam, Nepal.