Central Coast Residents Launch Walking Groups on Gosford-Terrigal Path

More than 40 people joined the first Tuesday morning walk organised by residents near Avoca Beach last month, meeting at the surf lifesaving club before heading south along the coastal track.

Interest in such groups has grown as Central Coast locals seek low-cost ways to stay active amid rising gym membership fees and limited public transport options to larger facilities. Council data from 2025 showed that 62 percent of residents aged 35 to 65 wanted more organised outdoor activities within a 10-kilometre radius of their homes.

Pick a route and set a schedule

Start with a familiar stretch such as the Gosford to Terrigal beach path, which offers flat sections for beginners and links directly to the Bouddi National Park trailheads at Killcare. Groups can meet at 7am on weekdays at the Terrigal surf lifesaving club car park or alternate with circuits around Tuggerah Lake on the cycling path that runs from The Entrance to Chittaway Point. Keep the first sessions to 45 minutes and post the details on local Facebook neighbourhood pages two weeks ahead.

Registration through the Central Coast Council’s community grants program covers basic insurance for groups of 10 or more at no charge if applications are submitted by the 15th of each month. A 2024 Heart Foundation study found that participants in weekly group walks improved their average daily step count by 2,400 within eight weeks.

Keep the group going

Rotate leadership among members so one person handles weather checks while another tracks attendance via a free WhatsApp list. Remind everyone to check with their GP before joining any new exercise routine, especially those returning after injury or long breaks. By the third week, most groups add a coffee stop at a Terrigal cafe to build social ties that keep attendance steady through the cooler months.