Cate Campbell joins Coastrek for Beyond Blue fundraiser
Thousands of hikers will take to the Sunshine Coast coastline for Coastrek on Friday 17 July 2026, raising funds for Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service.
Retired Australian Olympic swimming champion Cate Campbell will join the event after relocating to the Sunshine Coast region. She will walk with her closest girlfriends in a team called Little and Large.
Campbell is backing the fundraiser after speaking publicly about her depression diagnosis in 2020. She is using Coastrek to raise money and awareness for mental health support.
Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service has seen demand rise by 12% over the past 12 months, adding urgency to the 2026 fundraising drive.
“One in four people will be affected by mental health issues this year,” Campbell said.
Campbell also warned that stigma and shame still stop many people from talking about mental health. She said Coastrek brings people together to get moving, have meaningful conversations and fund support.
Coastrek is Australia’s team hiking and fundraising challenge. The event raises money for Beyond Blue and encourages Australians to improve mental wellbeing through hiking in nature.
Beyond Blue support demand
Brisbane Coastrek Community Ambassador Peta O’Brien will complete her ninth Coastrek on 17 July 2026. She is walking in honour of her sister and in support of people facing grief and mental health challenges.
After the sudden loss of her sister, O’Brien turned to walking as part of her recovery. During that period, she also contacted Beyond Blue’s Support Service for help navigating grief.
“I started walking to clear my head and it quickly became a healing routine,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien said Beyond Blue helped her see a way forward. She also describes Coastrek training as physical and deeply therapeutic for her mental health.
