How much does it cost to participate and is it tax deductible?
The cost for an individual is $300 – $50 to register and a further $250 fundraising component
The cost for a team (x4) is $1200 – $200 to register and a further $1000 fundraising component
The fundraising component is tax deductible, the entry free is not tax deductible
Can I do the walk if I do not reach the Fundraising Goal?
The Surf Coast Trek is a fundraising event. Entrants are strongly encouraged to reach the minimum fundraising target of $250 for an individual or $1,000 for a team of four. We are confident that you can do it.
Can I fundraise more than the fundraising component of the entry fee?
Absolutely! Entrants are encouraged to raise more than the minimum fundraising component. There are great prizes up for grabs for individuals/teams that raise the most money.
Is there a list of items that all participants must carry at all times?
It is recommended that participants carry with them:
- Water bottle (water and light refreshments e.g. fruit will be available at designated Rest Stops along the Trek)
- Sunscreen
- Food and snacks (e.g. snack bars, banana) to get you through the Trek.
- Mobile phone
- Light clothing (e.g. light top if the weather is going to be cool)
- Basic first aid kit (e.g. band aids, blister pads, compression bandage) – First Aid officers will be positioned at designated drink stations along the trail).
More detailed information can be found on the equipment and safety page of this website here
Does this event have cut off times?
Yes – the cut off time for participants to complete the walk is 6pm. It is expected the majority of entrants will complete the walk by 4pm.
Where can I view the photos taken at the event?
A gallery of photos will posted on the website post event. You can also catch up with the event live on facebook and twitter
If I need to pull out during the event, what do I do?
In the event any entrant needs to withdraw from the walk once the event has commenced, they must notify one of the event marshals. Marshals will be stationed a the start and finish lines, and and drink stations along the trail – i. Urquarts Bluff car park; ii. Anglesea Shark Park; iii. Point Addis car park ; iv. Southside car park
I am no longer able to participate, can I arrange a refund?
Please check our rules and refund page for further information.
Where does the fundraising money go?
The Charities
Your fundraising dollars will be split evenly between local charities Kids Plus Foundation and Give Where You Live
Kids Plus Foundation is a community organisation that informs, influences and delivers specialist multi discipline therapy programs for babies, children and young people with neuro developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, brain injury and stroke.
Give Where You Live raises funds and allocates them to the less fortunate in our community on an annual basis via major grants programs within Geelong and district including the Surf Coast.
How do I get to and from the event?
You can park your car along the Esplanade in Torquay. We suggest the parking areas along Whites Beach just up from Bomboras kiosk and the Fishermans Club. Free buses will then be available to take you to the start at Aireys Inlet Skate park- you can also make your own arrangements to park or be dropped off at the Aireys Skate park for the start. Buses will depart Torquay at 6am for the 7am start at Aireys Inlet (bookings are essential). Please reserve your place here
You will then be able to pick up your car, or be collected by friends/relatives at the Trek’s finish at Elephant Walk Reserve, Torquay. Unfortunately we are unable to provide transport back to Aireys Inlet at the end of the trek.
Event Start Point
Event Finish Point
Can I participate if I am under 18 years of age?
Yes, but you must complete and return the parent/guardian authorisation form – see
What time should I arrive?
The Trek commences at 7.00am.
Buses will depart Torquay at 6am sharp for the 7am start at Aireys Inlet (bookings will be essential). Please reserve your seat here
If you are being dropped off at the start you should arrive between 6.15 and 6.30. There is no parking allowed at the start in Aireys Inlet which is why we encourage parking at the Torquay end and taking advantage of the complimentary bus to Aireys Inlet.
There will be a pre-walk health and safety briefing at 6.50am.
What do I do once I’ve paid my entry fee?
On payment of your entry fee you will be given a link to set up your fundraising page. This will facilitate the fundraising component of your event entry (minimum fundraising amount is $250 for an individual, $1000 for a team). You will then be able to direct your friends and family to your fundraising page so they can make a donation.
You will also receive email updates giving you fundraising tips, information and training opportunities.
How does the team participation work?
You can break up the trek between your team of 4 any way you wish
- Do the whole distance together
- Split the distance as a relay and swap over at our rest stops! – we suggest that each team member undertake a leg and all do the last leg together. (There are 5 rest stops of varying distance see course description for more details )
- 2 team members do approximately 20km each as a relay
- Or any other configuration that excites you!
For this reason teams will need to work out their own logistics.
We will provide buses to transport participants only to the start of the walk.
How do I set up my team fundraising page?
1. Set up your page here
This aspect will just require YOUR contact details.
Choose Fundraising Type (TEAM)
If you’re doing as a team the Fundraiser Title will be the main name of your Page, i.e. “Doing it for the Kids” or “Telstra’s Challenge”
Team Name might be “The Telstra Staff team” or “Jess, Kate and Bill” this will appear below the Fundraiser Title
If you do not have an image at the time of sign up we can can add this for you later.
2. Once you submit this, it will take you to a confirmation page with 2x links.
The 1st link is what your team will share with family and friends to donate.
The 2nd link is what you need to send to your team members, so that they can join your page.
This information will also be emailed to you.
3. Share the 2nd link with your team members, and they will join your team. The good news is that when someone donates they can allocate their contribution to either the whole team or an individual.
4. Your team members will also receive an email once they join with the link to share around.
Please feel free to give us a call on 5229 4364 or email info@surfcoasttrek.com.au if you have any troubles or if you have any further questions.
Can I bring my dog or pram?
As parts of the Trek are very narrow, there are steps and beach access unfortunately we cannot permit dogs or prams on the Trek
Is there a cut off date for fundraising?
The cut-off date for fundraising is Saturday, 6 May 2017. This should give participants enough time to collect all donations.
All physical money needs to be dropped off to Give Where You Live Office at 18 Myers Street, Geelong, by Friday, 5 May 2017.
I missed the first free training session, can I join the next ones?
Yes, you can join in the training at any session, after you’ve registered for the trek.
You can also join in any of the training walks without attending other training sessions.
What is the walking surface like on different parts of the route?
The majority of the walk is alongside the ocean on cliff top paths and beaches although the path does go inland at a couple of spots; the longest section being from Point Addis to Southside through the Iron Bark Basin.
The walking surface varies between flat paved surfaces e.g. the last section towards the finish in Torquay, rugged and fairly steep steps in the Iron Bark basin as well as some beach walking in soft sand at high tide- e.g. the section before Point Addis.
We’ve loaded some photos that show the variety of walking surfaces on the gallery page of the website
Can I run the Surf Coast Trek?
The Trek is a walking event – not a run!
Safety considerations, rest stops, nutrition and logistics have been planned to be appropriate for walking speeds of between 4 and 7km/hour.
We cannot accommodate runners.
When can I collect my Trek Pack?
Trek Packs will be ready to collect from Tuesday, 28 March 2017 from the Give Where You Live foundation office, 18 Myers Street, Geelong (cnr Myers & Fenwick Streets). If you have registered to have your pack delivered they will be mailed out from Thursday 30 March 2017.
