Central Coast Council Launches Free Senior Fitness Programs Across Region

Central Coast Council began offering free senior fitness programs on 1 July 2026 at sites in Gosford and Terrigal.

The programs target residents aged 65 and over who want structured group activity without paying fees. Central Coast has an ageing population where more than 28 percent of residents are over 60, according to council demographic data released in May 2026. Regular movement reduces fall risk and supports heart health for this age group, and free access removes cost barriers that previously kept some participants away.

Venues and session details

Walk-and-talk groups meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 am along the Gosford waterfront near the old railway station before heading toward Point Clare. Chair-based strength classes run on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am inside the Terrigal Memorial Hall on Pine Tree Lane. Both programs use qualified instructors supplied by the council and require no equipment beyond comfortable shoes.

Additional walking sessions take place on the shared path between Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club and Copacabana on Friday mornings. Participants can also join gentle cycling meet-ups that start from the Tuggerah Lake foreshore near The Entrance bridge on alternate Saturdays. All sessions last 45 minutes and finish with a short social chat.

Participation numbers and next steps

Council records show 420 seniors registered in the first week of July, up from 310 in the same period last year. No bookings are needed for the walking groups, though the chair classes have a limit of 25 places per session. Residents can find the full timetable and any weather-related changes on the Central Coast Council website or by calling the community services line at 1300 463 954.

Anyone interested should arrive 10 minutes early at the listed meeting point and wear layers suitable for winter conditions on the coast. The programs run through to December 2026 with new dates added each quarter.